Last Breath (2025), directed by Alex Parkinson, delivers a gripping dramatization of a true story that blurs the line between survival thriller and human drama. Set in the perilous world of deep-sea diving, the film recreates the real-life incident of diver Chris Lemons, whose life-support line is severed hundreds of feet below the surface. What unfolds is an intense, claustrophobic struggle against time, technology and nature itself.
From the opening scenes, the film immerses viewers in the alien environment of saturation diving, the dimly lit underwater world, the constant hum of machinery, and the ever-present danger of isolation. The cinematography captures the suffocating pressure of the deep, while the sound design, full of muffled static and metallic echoes, keeps tension at a constant simmer. Every frame feels authentic, drawing the audience into a space few will ever experience.
Performances anchor the film’s emotional weight. Woody Harrelson brings depth and gravitas to his role as a seasoned diver caught between command and panic, while Simu Liu and Finn Cole offer convincing portrayals of vulnerability and courage under extreme stress. Their camaraderie feels genuine, lending the story an emotional resonance that complements the film’s technical realism.
Despite its immersive realism, Last Breath occasionally struggles with pacing. Some of the scenes above deck feel drawn out, and character development takes a backseat to the mechanics of the crisis. Viewers unfamiliar with the real story might wish for more insight into the divers’ personal lives beyond the professional setting. Still, these minor shortcomings don’t undercut the film’s ability to evoke dread, hope, and awe in equal measure.
Ultimately, Last Breath stands as a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the extraordinary risks faced by those who work beneath the sea. It’s a tense, atmospheric film that respects the true events it’s based on while offering just enough cinematic flair to keep audiences on edge. Though it may not reinvent the survival genre, it grips you tightly and doesn’t let go until the final breath.
Some quotes from Last Breath (2025)
Chris Lemons: “I made the cut!”
Reflecting both relief and humor in tense circumstances.
Duncan Allock: “Back in the day… you only needed two things: little common sense and a good bottle of Scotch.”
A reflection on how experience and simplicity once defined survival.
“You won’t always be okay.”
A reminder of vulnerability and uncertainty during extreme challenges.
