Highest to Lowest (2025) | Spike Lee Crime Thriller on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ and A24 bring together two cinematic powerhouses—director Spike Lee and legendary actor Denzel Washington—in the upcoming American crime thriller Highest to Lowest, premiering on September 5, 2025.
The film is a modern reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s acclaimed 1963 masterpiece High and Low, itself adapted from Ed McBain’s 1959 novel King’s Ransom. With Lee’s signature storytelling style and Washington’s commanding presence, Highest to Lowest promises an emotionally intense and morally charged thriller for global audiences.
Plot Overview
At the heart of Highest to Lowest is David King (Denzel Washington), a celebrated music mogul whose empire stretches across the global entertainment industry.
Spike Lee reshapes Kurosawa’s narrative through a distinctly American cultural lens, exploring themes of wealth disparity, moral compromise, and the human cost of ambition in today’s world.
The Stellar Cast
- Denzel Washington as David King – A music mogul thrust into a harrowing moral crisis.
- Jeffrey Wright as Paul Christopher – A trusted advisor entangled in the unfolding chaos.
- Ilfenesh Hadera as Pam King – David’s wife, struggling with the emotional toll of the ordeal.
- A$AP Rocky as Archie “Yung Felon” – A rising rapper with unexpected ties to the crisis.
- Ice Spice as Marisol Cepeda – A pivotal character whose role adds depth to the mystery.
- Frederick Weller as Alex Cordova – A man caught in the crossfire of ambition and crime.
- Dean Winters as Detective Higgins – The investigator determined to solve the case.
Creative Force Behind the Film
- Directed by: Spike Lee, known for his socially charged storytelling and visual flair.
- Screenplay by: Alan Fox, reimagining the Japanese classic for a modern Western audience.
- Based on: High and Low (1963 film) by Akira Kurosawa and the novel King’s Ransom (1959) by Ed McBain.
- Produced by: Todd Black and Jason Michael Berman.
- Distributed by: A24 and Apple Original Films.
Release Date
Mark your calendars: Highest to Lowest premieres on September 5, 2025, exclusively on Apple TV+.
