Last Breath (Review)
I've always appreciated survival films—especially when they're done well. A gripping story of endurance and resilience can make for a powerful cinematic experience. But when a survival film is based on a true story, it reaches an entirely new level of intensity. It really makes you think, “Wow, someone actually went through this. That’s incredible.” Witnessing real-life struggles and triumphs unfold on screen adds an emotional weight that makes the journey even more compelling.
As a film, Last Breath delivers exactly what I hoped for—an exhilarating and emotionally charged cinematic experience that immerses audiences in the harrowing true story of a deep-sea diver’s fight for survival. Directed by Alex Parkinson, the film blends edge-of-your-seat suspense with a flare of human drama, making it one of the most gripping thrillers of the year—at least so far
The story follows a team of deep-sea divers battling the raging elements to rescue a crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean’s surface. As time runs out and the odds grow slimmer, the film plunges audiences into a nerve-wracking descent, capturing both the physical and psychological toll of survival under extreme conditions.
At the film’s start, we get a brief glimpse into the life of our main character, Chris Lemons (Finn Cole), and his quiet home life with his wife. Living right by the water, their world seems peaceful. But soon, Chris prepares to depart on a nearly month-long mission as a deep-sea saturation diver—a specialized technique that allows divers to work underwater for extended periods.
Once Lemons heads off to work, director Alex Parkinson wastes no time in establishing an atmosphere of claustrophobic tension. Through well-framed shots, he immerses us in the tight, tin-can-like quarters where the crew will spend the next several weeks. As someone who usually loves ocean views, this film had me second-guessing my love for the deep sea. The boat is caught in the middle of a raging storm, with waves crashing violently against it, amplifying the already nerve-wracking setting. It made me think that at any point this thing could just tip and everyone would be screwed.The cinematography balances the ocean’s breathtaking beauty (slightly) with its overwhelming sense of isolation, particularly in the film’s underwater sequences. Adding to the tension, the sound design is especially effective, using eerie silences and muffled underwater acoustics to heighten the sense of danger and desperation.
Each cast member delivers stellar performances. Finn Cole does a great job bringing Chris to life, portraying him in a way that allows the audience to connect with his struggle on an emotional level. Woody Harrelson, as always, is a standout, embodying the seasoned diver facing an unimaginable crisis with gripping intensity. Cole and Harrelson share a natural chemistry that makes their dynamic even more compelling. Adding to the film’s strength is Simu Liu, who has built an impressive career in recent years. His performance is both vulnerable and commanding, drawing the audience into his character’s struggle with every gasp for oxygen and every fleeting moment of hope. Finn Cole and Liu really add the emotional weight and urgency to the narrative, rounding out a cast that elevates the film’s tension and humanity.
Finn Cole, Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu in Last Breath (Focus Features)
If there’s one drawback, it’s that the film could have used a bit more meat in its story. At a tight 93 minutes, it moves briskly, but a little more time spent with Chris at home before his departure would have added to the emotional stakes. This is a situation you never want to see someone in, so the suspense was there still, but adding a bit more detail to him as a character (in terms of film) could have assisted more. Similarly, fleshing out the supporting characters, as these are real people with real experiences, could have made their roles even more impactful. That said, this is a minor complaint in an otherwise well-crafted film.
Truly, what sets Last Breath apart from typical survival thrillers is its emotional core. While the film is intense, it never loses sight of the humanity at its center. The way that each team works together to recover their fellow crew member, even if they believe he might not make it, their efforts are truly eye-opening and bring out the human experience. The relationships between the characters, the sacrifices made, and the resilience displayed add depth to the suspense, making it more than just a technical marvel—it’s a moving story of determination and the will to live.
Overall, Last Breath is a triumph of storytelling, direction, and performance. From start to finish, it grips the audience, delivering heart-stopping tension alongside good drama. For those who appreciate survival thrillers that balance high-stakes action with genuine emotion, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Last Breath is in theaters this Friday, February 28.
