Spike Lee Breaks Down the Emotional Ending of Highest 2 Lowest

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The newest movie by Spike Lee, titled “Highest 2 Lowest,” signifies his fifth joint project with the acclaimed actor Denzel Washington, their first since “Inside Man” in 2006. Unlike a remake, as Lee emphasizes, this film is a reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic “High and Low,” which was based on Evan Hunter’s novel “King’s Ransom.” The setting has been updated from post-war Japan to modern-day New York City, a city that Lee often uses as a backdrop in his notable films. “Highest 2 Lowest” is filled with Lee’s personal interests, including New York, basketball (the Knicks), baseball (the Yankees), and music. In fact, this film primarily revolves around the world of music.

Washington portrays David King, a prominent music industry figure whose life takes an unexpected turn when he receives a call revealing his son Tyler (Aubrey Joseph) has been abducted, and to secure Tyler’s release, he must pay a ransom of $17.5 million. The situation becomes more complicated when it is revealed that the kidnappers mistakenly took the son of King’s confidant and dearest friend, Paul Christopher (Jeffrey Wright). If King decides to pay the ransom for his friend’s son, he must relinquish his ambition to regain control of his record company by purchasing a significant stake and reclaiming his beloved music. However, if he chooses not to do so-and even contemplating the possibility of not paying it-he is faced with challenging moral dilemmas about the kind of person he truly is.

In simpler terms, Lee recently discussed with TIME the intricacies and surprising conclusion of the movie’s finale. As for “Highest 2 Lowest,” it is now showing in cinemas and will be available on Apple TV+ starting September 5th.

King and Christopher take justice into their own hands

After a deep introspection during the night, King eventually consents to aid Christopher and shell out the ransom for Kyle (portrayed by Elijah Wright, his real-life son). Under the kidnapper’s guidance, King is supposed to make the exchange on the subway. Subsequently, the police will attempt to arrest the kidnappers and retrieve the bag containing the money, which has a tracking device installed. The transaction of the $17.5 million partially succeeds, as Kyle (Elijah Wright) is saved albeit with injuries from which he seems likely to recover. However, the funds themselves slip through the police’s grasp, as the kidnappers cleverly evade them by employing a team of masked motorcyclists who perform a daring game of catch with the bag.

Later at the hospital, the police question Kyle about his ordeal during the kidnapping. The only detail he remembers is a song that repeatedly played while he was held captive. King, known for his exceptional musical knowledge, eventually identifies the fragment of music Kyle mentioned – it’s a track by rapper Yung Felon (ASAP Rocky), an artist whom King had declined a record deal in the past. With this discovery, we’ve found out who orchestrated the kidnapping and their motive – a musician seeking revenge against King. However, when King shares this information with the authorities, they disregard his unconventional detective work. As a result, King and Christopher decide that they must take matters into their own hands to retrieve the stolen money.

Through a mutual acquaintance, Christopher meets Yung Felon, and together they journey to Felon’s residence in the Bronx. Upon reaching a humble apartment labeled A24, they encounter Felon’s girlfriend Rosa (Princess Nokia), who is blissfully unaware of the abduction plot. Eager to see King, she allows him entry and shares her enthusiasm about how thrilled Felon would be to meet him. She mentions that Felon idolizes King so much that he named their child after him. King recognizes a Balmain bracelet on Rosa that was previously gifted to his wife for an anniversary; it had been demanded as part of the ransom money by Felon. In her ignorance, Rosa subsequently provides King with the address to Felon’s studio.

A Western-inspired showdown in the recording studio

Downstairs in a recording studio, we observe a gun-wielding monarch entering a tense showdown with Felon, the individual who attempted to abduct his son and swiped $17.5 million from him as a way of grabbing his focus (which surprisingly proved effective). King remains seated behind the glass partition while Felon stands near the microphone, and tensions rise. King is grappling with making sense of it all; if Felon merely wanted his attention, why resort to such drastic measures? The film industry has long been acquainted with obsessive fans, and Kathy Bates in ‘Misery’ may be the most renowned instance. In today’s era where social media fosters a sense of closeness with our favorite artists, ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ presents an extravagant depiction of the complex bond between fan and celebrity. According to Lee, there is a unique element to their relationship, especially from a professional standpoint. Felon isn’t merely a fan but someone who can potentially help King achieve success through a lucrative record deal, positioning them as potential colleagues in the same industry.

In a poignant scene, Lee’s apprehension about the dominance of smartphones and social media in today’s youth is evident as King urges his son Tyler to set aside his phone for a conversation. Lee admits, “I might sound like an old-timer, but I can’t help it. It’s not a positive development.” He expresses concern that prolonged use of phones by young adults could potentially be detrimental to their physical and mental well-being, suggesting that such extensive usage cannot possibly be beneficial.

Lee brings up an intriguing aspect of the movie that viewers might not have noticed: “In this film, Denzel’s character is depicted as having two sons – one biological and the other named Felon. Interestingly, ASAP Rocky bears a striking resemblance to Denzel, suggesting a potential familial connection. This element is explored in the movie.”

Furthermore: “People have been pointing out the similarity between ASAP Rocky and Denzel for about five years now. Instead of avoiding this observation, we choose to embrace it. The relationship between Denzel and Yung Felon can be seen as a complex father-son dynamic, though it’s important to note that it’s not based on biological ties.

In this thrilling studio setting, the camera swiftly moves between King and Felon. Lee describes the scene as reminiscent of a Western movie, “High Noon.” This intense standoff has a rhythmic feel to it, leading both characters to deliberately rhyme. The tension is finally released when Felon, surprised, queries, “Is this a rap battle?” To which King replies, “I’m not a rapper, I’m a chance giver,” yet it’s clear that they are indeed engaged in a rap battle, one where either could potentially draw a weapon at any moment.

In many parts of the recording session, the dialogue wasn’t pre-written. During much of the rap battle, what was planned in the script was minimal. Often, you can’t predict Denzel’s actions, and he unexpectedly delivered lines reminiscent of Nas’s album “Illmatic.” He was quoting Nas, and this didn’t hinder Rocky in any way; instead, he matched up with it. They exchanged improvised verses that elevated the scene to greatness, as Lee explains.

Paying homage with the subway confrontation

In the intense sequel to “Highest 2 Lowest,” the action returns to reality when an enraged felon opens fire at King from within a booth and escapes, prompting King to chase him onto a subway platform at 161st Street. This marks their second exhilarating confrontation in a New York City subway car, echoing the cinematic allure Lee has always admired, reminiscent of William Friedkin’s “The French Connection.

The movie in question begins at Bay 50th St. subway station, which was also where my high school, John Dewey, located in Coney Island, could be found. Unfortunately, they didn’t have permission to film there, so they did it under the radar. Thankfully, no one was harmed during the filming of that particular scene, which coincidentally took place while I was in class! It wasn’t until we saw the movie that we realized what had happened: ‘Wow, they filmed this during our class time!’ If we had known earlier, we might have skipped school to watch. Lee, who is a film enthusiast, enjoys paying tribute to iconic scenes and even references a classic movie called The Defiant Ones in his comments.

Lee similarly highlights that the film “High and Low” features a crucial and breathtaking scene on a bullet train. According to Lee, they had to intensify their efforts. In the story, Inspector King persistently chases Felon through the subway system, but fails to locate him. This is because Felon is perched on top of the train, and leaps down to assault King between the subway cars – the exact spot where King lost $17.5 million during a previous exchange. King regains control, and in a moment of despair, Felon pleads with King to end his life. However, King has no intention of allowing Felon’s demise: “You named your son after me!” King exclaims, striking Felon three times out of anger. The decision to pay the ransom for Christopher’s son tested King’s moral compass; this time, he won’t hesitate to, in essence, make the right choice. Despite all that Felon has subjected him to and stolen from him, he cannot bring himself to watch another man plummet to his death.

In due time, the authorities capture Felon and unearth King’s money stash hidden beneath Felon’s bed, leaving his girlfriend utterly astonished. The kidnapping fiasco propels Felon into global fame, skyrocketing his previously popular music to even greater heights. On the day of the trial, a horde of Felon’s supporters congregate outside the courtroom, imploring for his release and vouching for his innocence. It is at this very courthouse where King learns that Felon has been convicted to serve 25 years in prison, yet King remains unsatisfied: “This isn’t enough,” he declares.

Daddy issues and a fresh start

In an unexpected twist, one of Highest 2 Lowest‘s biggest surprises unfolded as Felon began to perform in a way that resembled a music video-a term that Lee prefers not to use. As Lee explains, “Michael Jackson once told me never to call what we do music videos. Call them short films.” Nonetheless, the sudden appearance of Felon dressed in prison attire was a daring and unanticipated stylistic move. Much like everything Lee does, this choice serves a particular purpose. According to Lee, this performance was Yung Felon’s imagined short film he planned to create with King once he is released from jail.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase that scene as follows: In an unexpected turn of events, our protagonists find themselves face-to-face in a prison setting, reminiscent of a high-stakes rap battle in a recording booth. Sitting on opposite sides of the thick glass partition, Felon seizes the opportunity to lay his cards on the table. He propositions King, pleading for a record deal, boasting about his impressive streaming numbers exceeding 1 billion since his incarceration and emphasizing the power of attention as the most valuable currency.

However, King remains unimpressed. He retorts, “Not every dollar is green,” assertively denying Felon’s proposal. He explains, “I can’t work with your music; it just doesn’t resonate with me.” Infuriated by King’s rejection, Felon lunges at the glass in a fit of rage, but swiftly gets apprehended by the police and is forcibly returned to his cell.

In the midst of King’s triumph, there’s a sense of sadness lingering in Felon. This is because Felon sees in King a father-like figure that he never had. When King asks him about his own father, Felon responds with disdain, implying his absence or rejection. Growing up in Harlem without a father, Felon seeks male role models elsewhere. Ultimately, King becomes Felon’s idealized father figure. However, when King rejects him, Felon’s childish behavior and violent outburst ensue. This rejection feels like abandonment from the father figure he has long yearned for his entire life.

In this crucial moment, King finds himself presented with an opportunity that could make him unimaginably wealthy if he chooses to collaborate with Felon. However, he remains steadfast in his adherence to moral principles over quick riches. Lee, reflecting on Denzel’s portrayal of the character and the film’s theme, comments, “The essence of it is that not all money is good money,” which is why King’s memorable quote from the movie graces the poster.

King has now returned to his original passion: creating exceptional music. He has parted ways with the major label he nurtured from its inception and ventured into independence. Accompanied by his wife and son, he auditions aspiring artists in their own home, seeking the next musical prodigy. As Lee puts it, “He’s going back to the core of the music.

In this movie, we’re first introduced to Aiyana-Lee, the artist who Tyler had mentioned to his father at the start. She performs the title track “Highest 2 Lowest,” a powerful ballad that champions authenticity and the joy of following one’s heart, even when faced with obstacles. Her performance leaves King utterly impressed. Inquiring about her readiness to handle the forthcoming fame, she expresses eagerness. With a smile, King concludes, “Let’s get started,” marking the end of the film.

At the start of the movie, his wife informs him that he no longer appears to possess the joy he once had during the early stages of his career. However, towards the end, King manages to rediscover it. Starting afresh with a new record label, albeit small, he intends to pursue his path in a way that brings him satisfaction when he goes to bed at night. Essentially, he’s found peace. Not all money is valuable, Lee emphasizes.

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2025-08-22 17:17