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Highest 2 Lowest is the Denzel Washington crime thriller now streaming in the United States through Apple TV, the service formerly branded Apple TV+. Directed by Spike Lee, the 2025 film reworks Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low as a contemporary New York story about a music mogul trapped in a ransom crisis.
The film is Highest 2 Lowest, Spike Lee’s Denzel Washington crime thriller, and it is currently streaming in the United States through an Apple TV subscription—the service formerly known as Apple TV+.
Washington plays a powerful music mogul whose family and legacy are threatened by a ransom plot. The story turns that crisis into a moral dilemma about wealth, loyalty and responsibility, while relocating the central premise of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime classic High and Low to contemporary New York.
What is Highest 2 Lowest about?
Washington stars as a successful music executive caught in a kidnapping and ransom crisis. The plot forces him to decide how far he will go to protect the people closest to him—and what his obligations are to others whose lives become entangled in the scheme.
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That setup gives the film two connected identities: it is a tense crime thriller, but also a drama about class, power, reputation and the cost of preserving a public legacy. Spike Lee’s version uses New York City, the music industry and contemporary celebrity culture to reinterpret Kurosawa’s High and Low rather than simply reproduce it.
The film is written by Alan Fox and directed by Spike Lee. Its principal cast includes Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky. Apple classifies it as both Thriller and Crime.
Where to stream Highest 2 Lowest in the United States
As of August 8, 2026, Highest 2 Lowest is available to stream in the U.S. through the Apple TV subscription service. The current Apple TV title page displays a seven-day free-trial offer followed by a listed price of $12.99 per month.
The film is an Apple Original Film from A24 and Apple Original Films. It first opened in theaters on August 15, 2025, before its global streaming debut on September 5, 2025. It is a 2025 film, not a 2026 release.
Apple TV+ or Apple TV? The current name matters
Many searches still refer to the service as Apple TV+, the name used when the film premiered. Apple rebranded the streaming service as Apple TV in October 2025. That is the current branding on Apple’s consumer pages, although “Apple TV+” remains a useful way to identify the service for people familiar with its former name.
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There are three things that are easy to confuse:
- Apple TV: Apple’s subscription streaming service, which includes this film.
- The Apple TV app: The app used to browse and play Apple’s content, as well as some separately offered channels, rentals and purchases.
- Apple TV 4K: Apple’s separate streaming hardware device.
Installing the Apple TV app does not by itself provide access to Highest 2 Lowest. An Apple TV subscription is required. Apple also says that the subscription does not include third-party subscription services or titles offered separately for rental or purchase in the app.
How to find it in the Apple TV app
On a compatible smart TV, streaming device or game console, use the following path:
- Open the Apple TV app.
- Open the sidebar.
- Select Search.
- Enter Highest 2 Lowest.
- Select the film from the results.
- Choose the subscription or playback option shown on its title page.
Apple’s current support guide uses the labels “sidebar,” “Search” and “Apple TV.” You can also open the film directly through its U.S. Apple TV title page.
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Cast, runtime and rating
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Highest 2 Lowest |
| Director | Spike Lee |
| Writer | Alan Fox |
| Leading cast | Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky |
| Genre labels | Thriller; Crime |
| Runtime | 2 hours 13 minutes |
| Rating | R for language throughout and brief drug use |
| Source material | A contemporary reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low |
How highly rated is it?
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Highest 2 Lowest at 83% on the Tomatometer, based on 233 critic reviews, and 83% on the Popcornmeter, based on more than 1,000 verified audience ratings. Those figures are a snapshot rather than a permanent score and may change as the site adds reviews or updates its audience total. Check the current Rotten Tomatoes listing for the latest numbers.
Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus highlights the film’s energetic contemporary treatment of a classic crime story and the prominent role of New York City. The strong score is one reason the film is often described as highly rated, but viewers should also consider its R rating, two-hour-plus runtime and emphasis on moral tension rather than a straightforward action plot.
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What to expect before watching
- A modern New York setting: The city is more than a backdrop; it is central to the film’s identity and atmosphere.
- A crime story built around a dilemma: The ransom plot creates ethical and personal pressure, not just suspense.
- A class-conscious premise: Washington’s character occupies a position of wealth and influence, while the crisis challenges the assumptions attached to that status.
- A Spike Lee reinterpretation: The movie draws on Kurosawa’s High and Low while filtering its themes through music, celebrity and present-day New York.
- Adult content: Apple lists an R rating for language throughout and brief drug use.
If it does not appear or will not play
Availability and app features can vary by country, region and device. Seeing the title on the U.S. Apple TV catalog does not guarantee that it is available in every market. If you are outside the United States, search for the film in your local Apple TV catalog rather than assuming the U.S. subscription terms or availability apply.
Some smart TVs and streaming devices allow you to use the Apple TV app but do not support starting a subscription or making purchases directly in the app. Apple says that, in those cases, you should subscribe using an Apple device or another supported device and then sign in on the television with the same Apple Account.
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For playback problems, Apple identifies several common causes:
- Check Apple’s system status for a service outage.
- Confirm that the correct Apple Account is signed in.
- Try another Wi-Fi or cellular connection, or test playback on another supported device.
- Stop playback on other devices if the account has reached its permitted number of simultaneous streams.
- For HD streaming, check that the connection can provide approximately 8 Mbps or faster.
Do not confuse it with Inside Man
The Apple TV app may also surface Inside Man, another well-known Denzel Washington crime thriller. It is a different, third-party film—not Highest 2 Lowest—and its appearance in the app should not be taken as evidence that it is the same title or part of Apple’s original film offering.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Highest 2 Lowest?
Highest 2 Lowest is streaming in the United States through an Apple TV subscription. Apple’s current U.S. title page lists a seven-day free trial followed by $12.99 per month, although prices and offers can change.
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Is Highest 2 Lowest a 2026 movie?
No. The film was released in 2025: it opened in theaters on August 15, 2025, and began global streaming on September 5, 2025.
What is Highest 2 Lowest rated?
Apple lists it as R for language throughout and brief drug use.
How long is Highest 2 Lowest?
Apple lists the runtime as 2 hours and 13 minutes.
Is Apple TV the same as Apple TV+?
Apple TV is the current name of the subscription streaming service formerly known as Apple TV+. The Apple TV app and Apple TV 4K hardware are separate products, although the app is used to watch the service.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: In the United States, Highest 2 Lowest is the Denzel Washington crime thriller currently available through an Apple TV subscription. It is a 2025 Spike Lee film, runs 2 hours 13 minutes, carries an R rating, and currently has an 83% critics’ score and an 83% verified-audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Availability, pricing and features can vary outside the U.S. or by device.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
