Renowned actor Denzel Washington surprised audiences by confessing in a recent GQ interview that he does not watch movies anymore. Speaking alongside his Highest 2 Lowest co-star A$AP Rocky and director Spike Lee, Washington openly stated his disinterest in watching films, despite his long-standing career in Hollywood.
When asked by Rocky to name some favorite dolly shots in Spike Lee’s films, Washington responded bluntly,
“I don’t watch movies, man. I really don’t.”
He emphasized this by repeating,
“I’m just being honest with you! I don’t watch movies, man! I don’t go to the movies. I don’t watch movies.”
Reasons Behind Washington’s Disinterest in Watching Movies
When pressed if his reluctance to watch movies stems from being a filmmaker himself, Washington admitted,
“Probably. You know, I’m tired of movies.”
His comments point to a weariness with the industry or medium that has defined his life for decades.
These remarks came shortly after Washington expressed a similar detachment from the Oscars, stating he is “not that interested” in the award show. Reflecting on his career, Washington said on Jake’s Takes,
“I’ve been at this a long time, and there’s times when I’ve won, shouldn’t have won, didn’t win, should have won. Man gives the award, God gives the award. I’m not that interested in Oscars. People say, ‘Well, where do you keep it?’ I say, ‘Next to the other one.’ I’m not bragging. I’m just telling you how I feel about it. On my last day, it ain’t going to do me a bit of good.”
Insights into the Film Highest 2 Lowest and Collaborations with Spike Lee
Highest 2 Lowest, released in theaters on August 15 and arriving on Apple TV+ September 5, is a loose remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film High and Low, which was inspired by Ed McBain’s 1959 crime novel King’s Ransom. In this version, Washington plays a music mogul entangled in a cat-and-mouse pursuit around New York City when his son is kidnapped. The cast also includes Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, A$AP Rocky, Ice Spice, Dean Winters, and John Douglas Thompson.
Spike Lee, a long-time collaborator with Washington, shared his thoughts with Rolling Stone about working on this latest project. He noted,
“This is our fifth joint together, in order: Mo Better Blues, Malcolm X, He Got Game, Inside Man, which was done — it didn’t feel like it was 18 years ago. Denzel said the same thing. But there was… we didn’t have to relearn. I mean, it was like it was yesterday. So, I’m just happy that we got to do it again.”
Regarding A$AP Rocky’s casting opposite Washington, Lee commented on Washington’s powerful presence:
“Denzel is such a presence that people start getting weak in the knees if they have to go directly against him. That’s how powerful Denzel is. And if you don’t bring it, you just gonna be overpowered. But Rocky’s like, ‘Fuck that.’”
The Significance of Washington’s Statements for His Career and Industry Impact
Denzel Washington’s declaration that he stops watching movies highlights the fatigue that even celebrated artists can experience after years in the spotlight. His blunt rejection of traditional markers of success, like the Oscars, underscores a broader shift in his relationship with the film industry. This candid honesty may signal a turning point in how Washington approaches his future work and public engagement.
With Highest 2 Lowest still fresh in theaters and streaming, fans have a rare opportunity to see Washington’s latest work before he possibly steps back further from the cinematic world. His collaboration with Spike Lee continues to demonstrate his enduring influence, even as he opens up about feeling “tired of movies.”
