From mint · Gayle Sequeira · · 2m
High and Low Remakes: What Gains and Loses
Ben Affleck’s Netflix thriller Animals reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, but skips its intricate investigation for political optics.
In brief
Ben Affleck’s Netflix thriller Animals reimagines Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, but skips its intricate investigation for political optics. Ben Affleck’s Netflix film Animals reworks Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low but focuses on political optics rather than the original’s class struggle. Originally…
High and Low’s Core Conflict
Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low begins with board members arguing that their shoes should be stylish but flimsy to boost sales.
“the shoes they manufacture should be stylish but ultimately flimsy, needing to be replaced more frequently so that the company’s sales increase”
Kingo Gondo’s Moral Dilemma
Principled executive Kingo Gondo (Toshiro Mifune) faces a ransom demand after his son is kidnapped, risking his financial ruin and company control.
“his son has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom”
The Ransom Misunderstanding
Gondo learns the kidnapper mistakenly abducted his chauffeur’s son, but the ransom demand remains unchanged.
“the extortionist mistakenly abducted his chauffeur’s son instead”
Gondo’s Financial Sacrifice
Gondo mortgages his home to buy controlling shares, knowing payment would decimate his finances and family’s future.
“he mortgaged his home in a bid to buy controlling shares in the firm”
Class Divisions in High and Low
The film contrasts Gondo’s mansion with slums, showing class divides within families and character arcs.
“class divisions appear even within a family unit”
Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest
Spike Lee’s 2025 film Highest 2 Lowest swaps Kurosawa’s postwar Tokyo for modern New York City.
“spike lee’s highest 2 lowest (2025)”
Highest 2 Lowest’s Rivalry
Music producer David King (Denzel Washington) challenges rapper Yung Felon (A$AP Rocky) to a rap battle across a recording studio’s glass.
“challenging hostile rapper yung felon (asap rocky) to a rap battle across the clear glass of a recording studio”
Highest 2 Lowest’s Themes
The film explores AI’s impact on the arts, cancel culture, and viral fame through King’s failed attempts to capitalize on new artists.
“king, once dubbed the best ears in the business, fails to capitalize on new artists and trends”
The 1977 Hindi Remake
The 1977 Hindi film Inkaar moves from a Mumbai industrialist’s apartment to China Creek marsh and ends in the jungle.
“the 1977 hindi remake inkaar moves from a mumbai industrialist’s luxurious apartment towards the grimy hideouts around china creek marsh”
Inkaar’s Villain Motive
Shoe company executive Haridas Choudhry (Shreeram Lagoo) gets a ransom call during his anniversary party, framed alone in the room.
“he’s framed alone and in another room, the sole recipient of bad news in a houseful of people having a good time”
Animals’ Political Focus
Ben Affleck’s Netflix film Animals follows LA mayoral candidate Mark Kimball (Affleck) as he crafts a clean campaign image amid infidelity and a kidnapped nanny’s boyfriend’s son.
“los angeles mayoral candidate mark kimball (affleck) crafts a squeaky clean profile even as his home life is fractured by infidelities”
Animals’ Climactic Shift
Animals skips Kurosawa’s investigation, ending with Mark Kimball framing himself as a hero who saved a child for political gain.
“spinning the story into a major political win by framing himself as a hero who saved a child”
At a glance
Ben Affleck’s Netflix film Animals reworks Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low but focuses on political optics rather than the original’s class struggle.
