Denzel Washington’s “unpredictable” crime thriller debuts with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating

The surprising new crime thriller by Denzel Washington, titled “Highest 2 Lowest“, has made an impressive debut with a nearly flawless rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In a fresh take, the movie directed by Spike Lee remakes Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film “High and Low.” The story unfolds around a powerful record executive who becomes ensnared in a blackmail situation while grappling with an ethical quandary.

In addition to Jeffrey Wright from “The Last of Us,” as well as popular rappers ASAP Rocky and Ice Spice, the film “Highest 2 Lowest” recently debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and has garnered significant praise.

Currently, the film has been rated 95% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Some reviewers appreciate its enjoyable aspect and modern adaptation of the classic story to today’s era, but others argue it might not be Lee’s finest production.

Here’s what they’ve been saying:

RobertEbert.com

Just like Lee’s public image, “Highest 2 Lowest” is a cinematic chaos agent, a flamboyant, unforeseeable crime thriller. It commences with a leisurely ascent that leaves the audience apprehensive about the director’s skills, only to erupt into a frenzy of filmmaking brilliance, showcasing some of Lee’s finest career moments.

The Guardian

This image exudes a powerful, athletic vibe reminiscent of Spike Lee’s iconic sports figures. It’s highly entertaining, and Washington delivers an exceptional performance.

IndieWire

In a more accessible manner, “Spike Lee’s film, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’, offers an entertaining yet somewhat unexpectedly optimistic spin on the post-war apprehensions portrayed in Akira Kurosawa’s ‘High and Low’. It reimagines these themes for today’s era of digital connections known as parasocial relationships.

TIME

At the Cannes Film Festival, Spike Lee’s film “Highest 2 Lowest,” shown out of competition, joins the ranks of remarkable New York movies. It’s intelligent, immensely enjoyable, and carries a depth that is far from sappy.

The Independent

As a devoted admirer, I’ve been following the incredible journey of Spike Lee and Denzel Washington for three and a half decades. Their newest project, “Highest 2 Lowest,” offers a gripping crime thrill ride, but when compared to some of their past masterpieces like the powerful “Malcolm X” from 1992, it feels somewhat rough around the edges, lacking the depth and weight that characterized their earlier collaborations.

Little White Lies

You accept both the positive and negative aspects, as well as the peaks and valleys, when you pay to attend a demonstration of Spike Lee’s unwavering energy and creativity.

The top two films are set to hit U.S. theaters on August 22, followed by their streaming debut on Apple TV+ in both the U.K. and U.S. on September 5.

The inaugural print magazine from Digital Spy, titled “British Comedy Legends,” is now available! You can purchase it at your local newsstands or online for only £3.99.

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2025-05-21 13:49