Highest 2 Lowest: A$AP Rocky Steps Into the Spotlight With Spike Lee
Apple TV+ readies its September release of Highest 2 Lowest, a modern thriller directed by Spike Lee, starring Denzel Washington and marking A$AP Rocky’s first major lead role on the big screen.
Apple Original Films and A24 have joined forces for Highest 2 Lowest, a bold reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s classic High and Low. Directed by Spike Lee, the film pairs Denzel Washington with A$AP Rocky, who takes a dramatic leap into acting with his most significant role to date. The movie will stream globally on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025.
Premiering in theaters on August 15 and first unveiled at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, the film has already drawn significant attention. Critics praised Washington’s gravitas as David King, a powerful music mogul confronted with a devastating moral dilemma. Much of the early buzz, however, surrounds Rocky, who portrays Yung Felon, a young rapper and ex-convict caught at the crossroads of ambition and redemption.
Though Highest 2 Lowest — AAPRockyonPlaying ‘YungFelon’ ∣ AppleTV+ promotes his performance as a debut, Rocky has appeared in films before, including Dope (2015) and Monster (2018). What sets this project apart is the scale: his first starring role opposite Washington, under Lee’s direction, with the weight of a global streaming platform behind it.
The story modernizes Kurosawa’s 1963 thriller while staying true to its source material, Ed McBain’s novel King’s Ransom. Instead of corporate boardrooms, Lee transplants the tension into the music industry, where David King faces an impossible choice when his chauffeur’s son is mistakenly kidnapped. The setting intensifies themes of class, power, and moral responsibility, resonating with contemporary audiences.
Adding to the ensemble are Jeffrey Wright, Ice Spice, and Elijah Wright, who enrich the film’s urban narrative with layered performances. Their presence underscores Lee’s commitment to blending established stars with rising talent, creating a dynamic clash of perspectives both on screen and behind the scenes.
This project also marks a cinematic reunion: Highest 2 Lowest is the fifth collaboration between Spike Lee and Denzel Washington, their first since Inside Man in 2006. That history raises expectations, as each prior partnership delivered compelling work that left a mark on modern cinema.
At Cannes, where Washington received an Honorary Palme d’Or, Rocky’s performance stood out as a breakthrough. Several outlets have suggested he could emerge as an early contender for Best Supporting Actor at the 2026 Oscars, a potential milestone in his artistic journey from rap stages to Hollywood.
With Spike Lee at the helm, a powerhouse cast, and Apple TV+ pushing it worldwide, Highest 2 Lowest is shaping up as one of 2025’s most important film events. Whether audiences come for the veteran star power of Washington, the cultural crossover of Rocky, or the timeless pull of Kurosawa’s story, the film promises to be a high-stakes showcase of talent and vision.
