‘Highest 2 Lowest’ Review: Strong Acting but Weak Narrative

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest”: A Promising Concept That Falls Short

Spike Lee has never been afraid of bold ideas, but bold doesn’t always mean cohesive. Highest to Lowest presents a gripping premise: the son of a music industry titan is kidnapped, forcing the father into a brutal moral dilemma to secure his release. On paper, this sounds like the perfect recipe for tension, betrayal, and razor-sharp social commentary. In practice, the film feels more like a promising concept that never fully pays off.

Strong Performances and Lee’s Signature Style

The performances are solid across the board. The lead actor sells the paranoia and panic of being caught between his family, his empire, and his conscience. There are a few supporting turns that bring spark as well, especially during the early stages of the kidnapping. Those opening beats are where the film works best. Lee’s knack for pulling in music, fast cuts, and stylistic flourishes keeps things alive, at least in the first act. You can feel his signature energy all over it.

A Narrative That Lacks a Satisfying Payoff

But then the cracks start to show. The central mystery of who is really behind the abduction has potential, but when the reveal finally lands, it feels oddly flat. We get the answer to “who,” but not to “how.” The mastermind appears to have orchestrated an elaborate, multi-person plot with resources and logistics that strain belief. There’s no buildup showing how this person managed to put such a machine in motion. We’re just told to accept it and move on. That lack of explanation pulls the air out of the drama. Instead of being stunned by the twist, you’re left scratching your head, wishing for at least a few scenes of planning or strategy to make it feel earned.

Technical Polish Masks a Flawed Script

On a technical level, the film shines. That much is customary with Spike Lee. The visuals pop with his trademark color palettes, and the sound design is immersive. His editing rhythms and music cues give the film personality. But technical polish can’t completely mask the problems underneath. The script leaves too many threads dangling, and the big themes—power, loyalty, greed—never quite land with the weight they should.

Final Verdict: Highs, Lows, and Lost Potential

Highest 2 Lowest isn’t a disaster, but it’s not the knockout it could have been either. It feels like a movie that starts high, dips low, and never finds its way back to the middle. Fans of Spike Lee’s style will find flashes of what they love, but anyone looking for a tight, compelling story may leave disappointed.

Highest 2 Lowest is streaming now on Apple TV+

Details

• Rating Certificate: R (for language throughout and brief drug use.)
• Studios & Distributors: 40 Acres & Mule Filmworks | A/Vantage Pictures | A24 | Apple Original Films | Escape Artists | Juniper Productions | Kurosawa Production Co. | Mandalay Pictures | Apple TV+
• Director: Spike Lee
• Written By: Alan Fox (screenplay) | Evan Hunter (based on the novel by) | Akira Kurosawa (based on Akira Kurosawa’s film “High and Low”)
• Country: USA | Japan
• Language: English
• Run Time: 135 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
• Release Date: 5 September 2025