Apple TV+ is set to debut one of the year’s most anticipated dramas, Highest 2 Lowest, on September 5, 2025. Directed by Academy Award–winner Spike Lee, the film is a modern reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s legendary 1963 noir High and Low, bringing its themes of morality, class, and crime into the high-stakes world of Manhattan’s music industry.
Highest 2 Lowest Premieres Sept. 5 on Apple TV+: Spike Lee Reimagines a Kurosawa Classic
Plot
At the heart of Highest 2 Lowest is a powerful music mogul whose life spirals when his family becomes the target of a violent ransom plot. Caught in a deadly trap, he is forced to confront a life-or-death moral dilemma that pits his fortune, reputation, and empire against the safety of those he loves most.
Cast
The film features an ensemble of powerhouse performances:
- Denzel Washington as the embattled music mogul
- Jeffrey Wright in a pivotal role within the investigation
- Ilfenesh Hadera as a central figure in the mogul’s world
- A$AP Rocky, making a high-profile appearance in a role tied to the city’s music scene
Why It Matters
Kurosawa’s High and Low is widely regarded as one of cinema’s greatest crime dramas, and Spike Lee’s decision to transplant its narrative into New York’s modern-day cultural and economic landscape adds fresh urgency. Themes of wealth, inequality, loyalty, and betrayal take on new dimensions in a world where fame and fortune collide with violence and desperation.
With its mix of Oscar-caliber talent, a gripping storyline, and Lee’s signature style, Highest 2 Lowest is already being touted as a potential awards-season contender—and a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers and prestige drama.
Streaming exclusively on Apple TV+ from September 5, 2025.
