12 Movies Like Highest 2 Lowest You Must See

‘Highest 2 Lowest’ is a crime thriller drama film that explores a tale of class division, kidnapping, morality, loyalty, and familial ties. Directed by Spike Lee, it is based on the Japanese film ‘High and Low’ directed by Akira Kurosawa, which was originally inspired by the novel ‘King’s Ransom’ by Evan Hunter. The modern American narrative follows a man named David King (Denzel Washington), a rich man from the music industry, whose driver’s son is mistakenly kidnapped, instead of the protagonist’s own son. Left to negotiate with the kidnapper, David must go on a difficult journey wherein he has to understand his own morality and whether or not he can make tough decisions to save a boy who isn’t his own family. As the plot moves forward, the main character and those around him face increasingly difficult choices. If the themes, visuals, performances, and the social setting of the film appealed to you, these films, similar to ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ will entertain you and keep you hooked.

12. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007)

Directed by Sidney Lumet, ‘Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead’ explores a story of familial ties, secrets, and loyalty. The heart of the crime thriller film lies in the relationship between two brothers named Andrew ‘Andy’ Hanson (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Henry ‘Hank’ Hanson (Ethan Hawke), who decide to work together to rob their parents’ jewelry store. Faced with financial despair and worsening fortune, the siblings find themselves in a dangerous scenario that hides deeper mysteries. Akin to ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ it deals with the elements of familial ties interfering in dangerous scenarios. Both stories feature characters who turn to crime due to their personal situations and face unexpected challenges. Despite the differences in plot elements, the films are spiritually connected due to their characters.

11. Changeling (2008)

Powered by Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Christine Collins, the crime drama film ‘Changeling’ is directed by Clint Eastwood. Set in the 1920s, it narrates the trials and tribulations of Christine, who battles against the odds to ensure her son’s safe return after he is kidnapped and presumed to be dead. As she continues to fight, she realizes she is in greater danger than expected. The elements of familial ties, disappearances of kids, and the desperation of parents connect the story to the world of ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ and its characters. The visual choices in the stories, combined with the themes, forge a greater connection between the two.

10. Proof of Life (2000)

‘Proof of Life’ follows the lives of Alice Bowman (Meg Ryan) and Peter Bowman (David Morse), who find themselves in a dangerous situation when Peter is kidnapped in a politically volatile region of the world. Faced with difficulties due to the abduction, Alice must place her trust in a man named Terry Thorne (Russell Crowe), a former soldier who is known for his conversational and negotiating skills. What follows in the action thriller film is a dangerous game that threatens everyone involved. The Taylor Hackford directorial is based on the article ‘Adventures in the Ransom Trade’ by William Prochnau, and the book ‘Long March to Freedom’ by Thomas Hargrove. Resembling ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ it deals with themes of familial ties being tested due to an abduction. Both stories comment on class division in their own ways, despite the differences in plot elements.

9. Taken (2008)

Featuring Liam Neeson as Bryan Mills, ‘Taken’ is a harrowing tale of an American father’s journey to save his daughter after she is kidnapped by dangerous criminals in France. The protagonist, who is a former CIA officer, realizes that he must use his deadly fighting skills to secure the freedom of his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), before she disappears forever. Directed by Pierre Motel, it is a French crime thriller film in English and connects to ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ intricately. Both stories feature fathers who are tested due to the abductions of their kids, while also having to make tough, morally complex decisions.

8. Man on Fire (2004)

Directed by Tony Scott, the action thriller film ‘Man on Fire’ is based on the eponymous novel by A. J. Quinnell. It chronicles the experiences of a former CIA officer named John Creasy (Denzel Washington) who is given the task of protecting a little girl called Lupita Ramos (Dakota Fanning). Things take a turn for the worse when the kid is abducted, which leads the former officer towards an adrenaline-fueled and violent journey to save her and redeem himself. Like ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ it deals with members from wealthy families being targeted for money, either directly or indirectly. Both stories involve complex kidnapping plots that hide deeper mysteries.

7. The Clearing (2004)

‘The Clearing’ is directed by Pieter Jan Brugge and follows a tale of kidnapping that tests the resolve of the kidnapped wealthy man Wayne Hayes (Robert Redford) and his wife Eileen Hayes (Helen Mirren). After Wayne is kidnapped by Arnold Mack (Willem Dafoe), he realizes that he must use his negotiating skills to escape from his ordeal, while Eileen deals with the complex issues that threaten more than just her husband’s life. The targeting of wealthy families by a kidnapper and characters who must face complex decision-making scenarios connect the crime thriller drama film to ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ and its characters.

6. Gone Baby Gone (2007)

Based on the novel ‘Gone, Baby, Gone’ by Dennis Lehane, ‘Gone Baby Gone’ is a tale of family, secrets, love, and deception. It narrates the complexities around the kidnapping of a little girl, which is investigated by Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angie Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan). Faced with difficulties and unexpected challenges, the main characters in the crime thriller drama must get to the truth before the situation escalates. The cast also includes Morgan Freeman as Jack Doyle and Amy Ryan as Helene McCready. On the lines of ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ the Ben Affleck directorial features ideas of family members looking to save an abducted child. The visual styles and the thematic similarities connect the stories on a spiritual level.

5. Prisoners (2013)

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, ‘Prisoners’ is an atmospheric tale of a family dealing with the unexpected and shocking disappearance of their child. Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) must battle against the elements to rescue his daughter Anna (Erin Gerasimovich) before her time runs out. In this quest, he runs into the curiosities of a police officer named Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), who also looks to solve the mystery. The mystery drama thriller resembles the ideas of ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ as it deals with a family’s struggle to save an abducted child, while also dealing with the personal demons of the characters involved. Despite the tonal differences, the stories are thematically connected due to their commentaries on relationships.

4. Ransom (1996)

‘Ransom’ narrates the story of a rich man named Tom Mullen (Mel Gibson), who must face unexpected challenges and severe mental pressures when his son is kidnapped. It deals with the trials and tribulations of the father, as he begins to think of an unusual way to capture the one who kidnapped his child. Directed by Ron Howard, the action thriller film is based on the movie ‘Ransom!’ directed by Alex Segal, and a television episode of ‘The United States Steel Hour’ named “Fearful Decision” written by Richard Maibaum and Cyril Hume. Akin to ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ it deals with a rich man trying to save a kidnapped child, while also navigating the complexities of his own conscience.

3. All the Money in the World (2017)

Directed by Ridley Scott, the crime drama film ‘All the Money in the World’ is based on the book ‘Painfully Rich: The Outrageous Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Heirs of J. Paul Getty’ by John Pearson. It deals with the complexities surrounding the lives of the members of a billionaire family. The patriarch J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer), who is one of the richest men in the world, is challenged in unexpected ways when his grandson John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) is kidnapped by dangerous people in Italy. Faced with mounting pressure from his family members, the wealthy man must decide whether to pay the ransom or compromise the safety of his grandson. The intrigues around rich people and their morality and the decisions they make when threatened are the heart of the story, in ways similar to ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ and its characters.

2. Rapt (2009)

‘Rapt’ deals with the idea of familial ties and morality, and revolves around the abduction of a wealthy man named Stanislas Graff (Yvan Attal). Following the incident, people related to him face difficult and morally complex challenges that force them to make tough decisions, which could be the difference between life and death for the kidnapped man. As the ransom demand challenges his family, the rich man must face his own demons. Directed by Lucas Belvaux, the French-Belgian drama film focuses on the morality of rich people and what happens when they are threatened, resembling the world of ‘Highest 2 Lowest.’ The stories are visually and spiritually connected due to their portrayal of the value of human life and how class plays a role in it.

1. High and Low (1963)

Based on the novel ‘King’s Ransom’ by Evan Hunter, the Japanese film ‘High and Low’ or ‘Tengoku to Jigoku’ is a complex tale of morality, humanity, and class division. It chronicles the happenings around the life of a rich man named Kingo Gondô (Toshirô Mifune), whose wits and conscience are put to the test when his driver’s son is mistakenly abducted, despite the intended target being the rich man’s own son. Faced with ransom and threats, the protagonist must decide if the life of a non-family member is worth his money and soul. ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ is based on the Akira Kurosawa directorial and also has a plot similar to that of the mystery crime drama, including similarities in the title. Not only are the two stories deeply connected, but they also look at social morality in unique ways, which adds to their flavor.