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is a modern reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s Japanese classic, High and Low. Set in New York City, the film centers on David King (Denzel Washington), a wealthy and successful music mogul and founder of a renowned record label. King is at the peak of his career, on the verge of a crucial business deal to buy back full control of his company, an endeavor that risks almost his entire personal fortune. However, amidst this high-stakes negotiation, he receives a mysterious phone call informing him that his son, Trey, has been kidnapped and demanding a $17.5 million ransom—the exact amount he needs for his pivotal business deal.
A gripping moral dilemma arises when it is revealed that the kidnapper made a mistake. The child taken is not Trey, but Kyle, the son of David's longtime friend and chauffeur, Paul Christopher (Jeffrey Wright). Despite knowing that paying the ransom will ruin his company's future, David King is confronted with an impossible choice: should he save the life of his friend's son—a child who is socially at the "lowest" rung compared to him—or let him die to save his "highest" career and legacy. This decision sparks deep tension between David and Paul, highlighting the stark class divisions within the city.
Once David agrees to pay the ransom, the film transforms into an intense police thriller. David's team collaborates with police detectives to track down the kidnapper, who turns out to be a vengeful street rapper named Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky) with a personal vendetta against David King. The pursuit takes David King from the isolation of his luxury high-rise apartment into the chaotic and vibrant streets of New York. The film explores themes of capitalism, betrayal, and the moral cost of success, forcing David to confront the life-altering consequences of his decision and the world below that he has long overlooked.
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