Last Breath (2025)

Rating: 8 of 10 Stars

Last Breath (2025) is a gripping survival thriller that pulls you to the depths of the North Sea, combining high-stakes tension with impressive performances and harrowing real-life inspiration. Directed by Alex Parkinson, this film is based on the true story of Chris Lemons, a diver who found himself trapped 300 feet underwater after a freak storm severed his life-support umbilical.

The film follows a team of deep-sea divers-led by seasoned diver Duncan Allcock (Woody Harrelson) and including Dave Yuasa (Simu Liu) and Chris Lemons (Finn Cole)-on a mission to repair an underwater pipeline. What starts as a routine job quickly turns into a fight for survival when Lemons becomes stranded on the ocean floor. With limited oxygen and no immediate way to get help, the pressure builds not only on Lemons but on the entire team working against the clock to rescue him.

Last Breath excels in creating an atmosphere of pure tension. The underwater sequences are beautifully shot and serve to emphasize the claustrophobia and isolation of Lemons' predicament. You genuinely feel the suffocating weight of his circumstances, and the ticking clock becomes a character in its own right. Harrelson and Liu give strong performances, anchoring the film with a quiet intensity that pulls you deeper into the story.

What stands out most is the film's ability to keep you on edge. The suspense is relentless, as you never quite know if Lemons is going to make it out. The tension is palpable, and it keeps you hooked even when the plot slows down to focus on the details of the rescue operation. However, where the film falters slightly is in its character development. Beyond the crisis, the characters don't have much depth, and the narrative focuses more on the urgent survival elements than on personal backstories.

That said, this film shines as a thriller. It's compelling, emotional, and filled with enough nail-biting moments to keep any thriller fan entertained. The stakes feel real, and it's a testament to the filmmakers' ability to take a seemingly straightforward premise and turn it into a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience. While Last Breath might not dive too deeply into character exploration, it makes up for it with its heart-pounding suspense and spot-on performances.

All in all, Last Breath is a solid 8 out of 10-definitely worth watching for anyone who enjoys a good survival thriller. It's not a film that will stay with you for days, but it will keep you captivated for its runtime. If you're looking for something that delivers on the thrills, you won't be disappointed.

I'm Rae Serbeck, I Watch and Review all films Large and Small!