Trailer Review: Highest to Lowest

Directed by Spike Lee, “Highest to Lowest” is a crime drama based on a Japanese film, “High and Low” by Akira Kurosawa. Starring Denzel Washington in the lead role, with A$AP Rocky, Jeffrey Wright, and Ilfenesh Hadera. Set to be released on August 22, 2024, the trailer teases a story that hints at family, power, tough decisions and responsibility.

Plot
It introduces David King (Denzel Washington), a successful music mogul, married to Pam King (Ilfenesh Hadera) and their teen son Tray King (Aubrey Joseph), a talented basketball player.  David seems to have everything one can wish for — money, power, and authority. But their world is shaken when they receive a devastating news, their son has reportedly been abduct. The twist? The kidnappers have mistaken the driver’s son, Kyle for Tray. Caught in a dilemma, David must choose whether to use his influence and money to help, or turn his back on his driver’s son because it’s not his family who’s at risk.

Denzel Washington

What makes the plot stand out is that David’s conflict of having to choose if he should save his driver’s son, isn’t a simple case of right or wrong— it’s about what people do when they’re not directly affected, and how power shapes a person’s sense of duty. Early in the trailer, a voice-over declares that, “This isn’t about the money. It’s about the principle,” that alone sums up the tension he was going through perfectly. He’s confronting what kind of man he truly is.

Cinematography
The trailer didn’t really reveal much but the visuals are on point, with sharp shots and smooth editing. There’s a lot of movement and action in the scenes that will keep your eyes glued to the screen. Plus, the way they show the characters’ emotions, especially during intense or quiet moments looked real. The darkness of the streets and abduction, builds up suspension. Scenes of flashing lights, the soundtrack, the angle at which the camera was held, and emotions from the characters was really amazing.

Cast and Character’s Chemistry
Denzel Washington as David King was made for this role, he has this aura of quiet dominance — someone who walks into a room and his confidence speaks, no words needed. From the trailer, his performance reveals a man torn between two sides of himself. He looks calm on the outside, but you can tell there’s guilt and pressure building up underneath — and it feels like he’s slowly losing control.

A$AP Rocky

A$AP Rocky, who plays one of the kidnappers, brings an edge that’s both captivating and dangerous. His presence adds tension and excitement to the trailer, there’s this chemistry between him and Denzel thats unpredictable.

Jeffrey Wright, as the father of the kidnapped boy, is very emotional. You can see that he’s hurting, but he doesn’t make a big show of it or act overly dramatic. His pain is quiet — from his eyes, his body language, and the way he pauses while speaking shows the pain and sadness he’s experiencing. Even though he doesn’t have many scenes, those few moments feel powerful.

Ilfenesh Hadera and the rest of the supporting cast play their roles perfectly with the right emotion for each scene. Their performances were intentional, enhancing the narrative without pulling the spotlight away from the main storyline.

Our Review
Highest to Lowest looks like it’s more than a flashy thriller. It’s thoughtful, intense, and there are lots of lessons to learn— It poses a question that stays with you: what would you do if the life on the line wasn’t your own?

In the midst of having to deal with family, guilt, power, and the consequences of choices. What action would you take with all the pressure or would you rather abandon everything and move on because it doesn’t affect you.
Tap the link below to watch the official trailer