Denzel Washington’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Opens in U.S. Theaters for a Limited Run Before Apple TV Release

Denzel Washington and Spike Lee are back on the same set for the first time in nearly twenty years, and they’ve brought a high-voltage ransom thriller to match. Highest 2 Lowest begins its limited U.S. theatrical run today, with a worldwide streaming release set for September 5 on Apple TV+.

Washington takes the lead as David King, a towering figure in the music business whose empire is built on hits, money, and control. That control shatters when his son is kidnapped, pulling him into a dangerous game where every move is amplified by the glare of fame and fortune. The opening moments of the trailer make the tone clear, with King announcing, “Wake up y’all, the king is here.” It’s a warning as much as an introduction.

While its DNA comes from Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low — itself adapted from Ed McBain’s King’s Ransom — this isn’t a note-for-note replay. Spike Lee and screenwriter Alan Fox have reimagined the setup, replacing boardrooms with the energy and chaos of the hip-hop industry. The shift adds a new rhythm to the tension, where status and reputation are as much at stake as life itself.

The ensemble brings serious weight. Jeffrey Wright and Wendell Pierce step into key roles, with Dean Winters adding grit and A$AP Rocky lending both on-screen presence and soundtrack heat. Ice Spice joins the cast too, solidifying the film’s modern pulse and cultural edge. This is a story rooted in power, but built for today’s audience.

Premiered at Cannes earlier this year, Highest 2 Lowest drew early praise for its tight pacing and layered performances. Lee once again proves he can command genre filmmaking without losing his signature bite, delivering a narrative that’s equal parts character drama and white-knuckle suspense.

With its limited theatrical run starting today, American audiences get the first taste before it lands on Apple TV+ next month. Whether seen in a cinema or at home, the film is designed to hit hard — with the kind of sound, scale, and swagger you’d expect when Denzel and Spike share the stage.

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