Denzel Washington’s “Highest 2 Lowest” Debuts on Apple TV+ Following Cannes Premiere

Lead: Denzel Washington’s first on-screen collaboration with Spike Lee in nearly two decades, Highest 2 Lowest, began streaming on Apple TV+ on September 5 after its Cannes premiere, earning widespread praise for its modern reinterpretation of Kurosawa’s classic crime thriller.

Nut Graf: The film reunites Washington and Lee for the fifth time-since 2006’s Inside Man-and transposes Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low to present-day New York City, with Washington portraying a music mogul ensnared in a high-stakes ransom plot. Its premiere and rapid digital rollout underscore Apple TV+’s push into prestige cinema.

Fifth Reunion With Spike Lee Sparks Critical Buzz

  • Washington headlines as David, a powerful music executive forced into a moral crisis when kidnappers demand a multimillion-dollar ransom for his protégé’s life.
  • Spike Lee’s direction emphasizes improvisational moments-such as Washington’s grenade scene and candid asides to portraits of Aretha Franklin and James Brown-that critics hail as “jazz-like interpretations” of the source material.

Release Schedule and Platform Strategy

  • World premiere: Out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025.
  • Theatrical run: Limited U.S. release by A24 starting August 15, before digital launch.
  • Streaming availability: Apple TV+ began streaming on September 5, 2025.

Critical and Audience Reception

  • Rotten Tomatoes: 89% positive reviews (175 critics), praising Washington’s commanding performance and Lee’s dynamic adaptation.
  • Metacritic: Score of 73/100, “generally favorable” reviews highlighting the film’s blend of suspense and social commentary.
  • Early audience feedback applauds the film’s tight pacing and Washington’s nuanced portrayal of a man torn between wealth and conscience.

Significance for Streaming and Legacy

  • Marks Lee’s return to digital platforms, bolstering Apple TV+’s slate of auteur-driven features.
  • Reinforces Washington’s selective late-career focus on collaborations with esteemed filmmakers.
  • Anticipated to influence future adaptations of international classics for global streaming audiences.