Spike Lee updates a neo-noir classic with Denzel Washington back in leading-man mode—plus a resonant turn from Jeffrey Wright.
What Is Highest 2 Lowest?
Highest 2 Lowest is Spike Lee’s latest joint and a contemporary riff on Kurosawa’s High and Low, set in New York City. Denzel Washington stars as David King, a music mogul forced into an impossible moral decision after a ransom plot spirals out of control, while Jeffrey Wright plays Paul Christopher, King’s confidant, whose family is pulled into the crisis.
The film blends Lee’s love letter to NYC with themes of wealth, conscience, and community—exactly the terrain that longtime fans expect from the director, and the kind of layered character work that makes this a true “Denzel Washington new movie” event.
Early Reaction & Critical Buzz
The Boston Globe gave the film a four-star review, praising it as a love letter to three things Lee adores: New York City, Denzel Washington, and Akira Kurosawa. The review highlights the film’s bravura money-drop sequence on the 4 train and singles out Washington’s lead performance and Wright’s grounded presence. [Source: Boston Globe]
Red Carpet & Premiere Highlights
The New York premiere doubled as a high-wattage fashion moment—Denzel Washington led the charge alongside A$AP Rocky and other stars on the carpet, giving the movie a pop-culture jolt ahead of release. [Source: Page Six]
Why Jeffrey Wright Matters Here
Jeffrey Wright brings quiet force to Paul Christopher, grounding the story’s ethical stakes. Early reviews highlight the chemistry between Wright and Washington as a key factor in the drama’s weight, making Wright essential to the film’s emotional impact. [Sources: Boston Globe, Toronto Star]
Context Around Spike Lee & Denzel Washington
Lee and Washington’s reunion has driven significant interest. Trade coverage also zeroed in on a headline-making comment about this possibly being their “last” collaboration—subsequent reporting clarified that Lee walked the remark back, telling fans not to count the pair out. [Source: The Hollywood Reporter]
Key Takeaways for BuddyTV Readers
- For Spike Lee fans: Expect a stylish NYC crime drama that riffs on classic noir while feeling unmistakably current.
- For Denzel fans: This is the “Denzel Washington new movie” you’ve been waiting for—commanding lead work with sharp verbal sparring.
- For Jeffrey Wright admirers: Wright’s restrained, soulful performance deepens the film’s moral core.
- For awards-watchers: Early reviews suggest strong acting notices and attention for the movie’s centerpiece set pieces.
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