This film directed by Spike Lee with Denzel Washington in the lead is one that makes for a masterclass in filmmaking success. Highest 2 Lowest is what I consider to be one of the best films of 2025. It has a dramatic sense of power and irony that moves in a direction that creating its own force of nature. Lee’s directing is like the setup of a play of power and triumph–one where millionaires and the music industry find themselves in a battle of ransom to the highest peaks. Instead of suspenseful tones of action, it follows more along the lines of politics weaving back and forth with egos fighting to come to an agreement. With Lee, fans know that he is one to paint the portrait with the writing on the wall. It is fresh “writing on the wall” all over in Highest 2 Lowest.

The film centers on a music mogul named David King (Washington). He is all about money and thriving on the power of creativity via words and wisdom. His wife is Pam King (played by Illfenesh Hadera) and his family friend is Paul Christopher (played by Jeffrey Wright). The life of New York is golden and glamorous with King fully living the high life of the music industry. All that changes in a heartbeat when his son Trey (played Aubrey Joseph) is kidnapped. It is a ransom situation that gets political and ethical. A moral dilemma is presented with much authority associated.

The film is mesmerizing because of its set-up. It feels like a Shakespeare production. That is because the many moments of suspense will have Washington pontificating on authority and business while also dealing with finding the means to get around a ransom. Not only that, but also assuring that his life continues to be glamorous and successful with his family. Lee brings in that brotherhood and fatherhood vibe with many lines of wisdom throughout the hard and aching moments of the powerful crime. The New York streets boil down the mood of anxiousness with an artistic form of continuity that is one-of-a-kind in Highest 2 Lowest.

The dynamic between Washington and Wright is also the major component of staying connected in Highest 2 Lowest. There is a background of writing that establishes what a close relationship looks like while dealing with a hard situation. But also, the ransom scenario has its moments where it competes—because money is the key to getting out of the conflict. Ultimately resolution is all in the hands of the business perspective of Highest 2 Lowest and Lee’s directing creates a road that presents this vividly in Highest 2 Lowest.

To retrace my words of why I love this movie, it is because I love how Washington can play a man of success and a man dealing with a complicated situation.  At the same time, he presents a serious side but is also mentally prepared to go down with the irreparable consequences. Music, money, family, hardship—greed and success does not bring good people with it sometimes. The portrait of jealousy lies within, but the voice of fighting to keep going strong via politics is where Highest 2 Lowest shines. Four out of four stars for Highest 2 Lowest.