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Highest 2 Lowest: Denzel Washington's Moral Dilemma in Spike Lee's Latest Thriller

Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest' presents Denzel Washington with a life-or-death moral dilemma. Will the music mogul sacrifice everything to save his friend's son?

Highest 2 Lowest: Denzel Washington's Moral Dilemma in Spike Lee's Latest Thriller
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Spike Lee's 'Highest 2 Lowest' presents Denzel Washington with a life-or-death moral dilemma. Will the music mogul sacrifice everything to save his friend's son?... Selengkapnya
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Liputan6.com, Jakarta Legendary director Spike Lee's latest neo-noir crime thriller, Highest 2 Lowest, is poised to deliver a thrilling thriller filled with suspense and profound moral dilemmas.

The film is an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 Japanese masterpiece, High and Low, which itself was inspired by Ed McBain's novel King's Ransom.

Starring Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington as David King, a prominent music mogul, the film centers on a failed kidnapping plot.

King is faced with a difficult, financially devastating decision to save his old friend Paul's son, who has been accidentally kidnapped.

Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, Highest 2 Lowest is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on August 15, 2025, via A24 and will be available on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025, promising a spectacle full of intrigue and ethical questions.

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Moral Dilemma and Intense Plot

The story of Highest 2 Lowest centers on David King (Denzel Washington), a titan in the music industry known for having "the best ears in the business."

His life changes drastically when he becomes the target of a kidnapping and ransom plot, plunging him into a life-or-death moral dilemma.

Initially, the kidnappers intend to kidnap King's son, Trey (Aubrey Joseph).

However, a fatal mistake occurs and they instead kidnap Kyle (Elijah Wright), the son of King's chauffeur and oldest friend, Paul (Jeffrey Wright).

This situation forces King to choose: pay the $17.5 million ransom to save Kyle, which would mean financial ruin for him, or refuse and accept Kyle's fate.

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Iconic Collaboration and Magnificent Production

Highest 2 Lowest marks the fifth collaboration between director Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, following the success of previous films such as Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.

This reunion has been long-awaited by cinema fans, promising a powerful synergy between the two masters.Principal shooting began in New York City in March 2024 and wrapped in May 2024.

Filming locations included various city landmarks such as Brooklyn and the subway system, providing an authentic feel and a "love letter to New York" as described by some critics.

The film's original score, composed by Howard Drossin, adds depth to the thriller's atmosphere.

Additionally, musician ASAP Rocky contributed two original songs to the film's soundtrack, "Both Eyes Closed" and "Trunks," further enriching the cinematic experience.

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Critics and Expectations

Spike Lee explicitly called Highest 2 Lowest a "reinterpretation" and not a "remake" of Kurosawa's High and Low.

This approach demonstrates his desire to use the classic as a springboard for new artistic explorations, while also emphasizing his unique style.

Initial critical reception was overwhelmingly positive.

Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com gave the film three and a half out of four stars, praising it as "extraordinary" and "unashamedly epic, fearlessly funny, and proudly Black."

Although some noted a slow start, the film was overall considered a powerful and enjoyable work.

The film showcases Spike Lee's signature style, including Matthew Libatique's powerful cinematography and the use of graphic elements, split screens, and wipes that capture the ethnic diversity of New York City.