The first look at Highest 2 Lowest makes the film look like a total blast, and its already leaning into the most exciting part of Denzel Washington’s new movie. The 2025 crime thriller brings Denzel back to the big screen a year after he delivered a commanding villain performance in Gladiator II. This time, he’s back in his usual protagonist role, playing a music tycoon named David King. Anticipation for the movie has been high for quite some time, especially since the movie is remaking Akira Kurosawa’s movie, High and Low.
For many, Denzel’s involvement is a major selling point behind the new film. He’s continued to hint at a looming retirement, so the Highest 2 Lowest trailer represents a glimpse at what could be one of his last appearances on screen. As tantalizing as it is to catch a glimpse of another likely memorable Denzel performance, that’s not the film’s most exciting element. Beyond making Highest 2 Lowest look like Denzel Washington’s sequel to Inside Man, the trailer draws attention to the fact that its a reunion for the actor and director Spike Lee.
Highest 2 Lowest’s Trailer Emphasizes Spike Lee & Denzel Washington’s Great History Together
Their Partnership Goes Back To 1990
The fact that Highest 2 Lowest is directed by Spike Lee and stars Denzel Washington will not be lost on anyone who watches the trailer. A тιтle card proudly introduces this as “a new joint” from the pair. The reason why that’s so exciting is not just because the two men are experts in their crafts. It’s largely due to their outstanding history of working together over the years. Highest 2 Lowest‘s trailer emphasizes their past works from the jump.
Before we even get a frame of Denzel in character for the crime thriller, тιтle cards for Denzel Washington and Spike Lee’s movies together are shown. Text for Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man flash across a blue backdrop of the Manhattan Bridge. This is the first thing Apple and A24 want audiences to know about Highest 2 Lowest and takes up the first 12 seconds of a 51-second teaser. Dedicating over 20 percent of a trailer to recapping the duo’s previous works together is significant.
|
Movie |
Rotten Tomatoes Scores |
Box Office |
|---|---|---|
|
Mo’ Better Blues (1990) |
71% Critics / 75% Audiences |
$16.1 million |
|
Malcolm X (1992) |
89% Critics / 91% Audiences |
$48.1 million |
|
He Got Game (1998) |
80% Critics / 83% Audiences |
$21.5 million |
|
Inside Man (2006) |
86% Critics / 85% Audiences |
$186 million |
It makes sense to do this, too. Denzel and Spike have made some excellent movies together over the course of three decades, and Highest 2 Lowest is hopefully going to be the next one. For anyone who has seen and loves their previous films, kicking off the trailer like this is a great way to hook audiences who have been waiting for the next Denzel and Spike joint.
Denzel Washington & Spike Lee’s Reunion Is The Biggest Selling Point For Highest 2 Lowest
It’s Been Years Since A New Denzel & Spike Joint
Denzel and Spike have made some great movies in the past, but their history together isn’t the main reason why them making Highest 2 Lowest is so exciting. It is actually the first time they’ve worked together in 19 years. After delivering their biggest hit together with Inside Man, the duo surprisingly never found a project to collaborate on afterward until this one. Going nearly two decades without seeing Denzel Washington in a Spike Lee movie is far too long, so it’s a thrill to know that Highest 2 Lowest will add a new film to their collection.
This is undoubtedly the key reason why I’m excited for Highest 2 Lowest. It’s been disappointing that they haven’t linked up for another movie after Inside Man. While they were meant to work together on Inside Man 2 before it was canceled, Denzel was also part of Da 5 Bloods‘ original cast before the production timeline changed, forcing Spike to recast most of the roles. Their careers have been just fine without working on a movie together, but seeing them come back together now is very appealing.
Highest 2 Lowest Can Show The Evolution Of Denzel Washington & Spike Lee After 19 Years Apart
They’ve Grown Individually
Going nearly two decades without a new Denzel and Spike movie is unfortunate, but it also adds to the excitement for Highest 2 Lowest. The movie now becomes an opportunity to showcase how different they both are presently compared to how they were in the mid-2000s.
There’s a heightened layer of experience, subtlety, and power to [Denzel’s] performances now
Denzel has only grown as a movie star and actor during this time, becoming a bigger box office draw through franchises like The Equalizer and earning more awards consideration for Flight and other projects. He’s got all the charisma and gravitas as before, but there’s a heightened layer of experience, subtlety, and power to his performances now. He can bring all this to Highest 2 Lowest and possibly deliver his best performance together, which would be saying something considering he was Oscar-nominated for Malcolm X.
As for Spike, Highest 2 Lowest will hopefully display the same level of technical skill, thematic importance, and genre entertainment he brought to BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods. Those are arguably some of his finest works of his career. It’d be great if Highest 2 Lowest continues to showcase Spike’s unique perspective and voice, but this time with Denzel playing an integral role in communicating and selling it all.
