Last Breath

When it comes to choosing a profession, I have always avoided those that could cost me my life if I made a mistake. Because of that rule, you won’t find me logging, working in construction, or especially diving—I can’t fathom running out of air and being unable to do anything about it. Stories like Chris Lemons’ make me grateful I never pursued such a path, as the true horror of his experience will make you want to stay away from any body of water for the foreseeable future. Luckily for us, we get to hear his story—first as a 2019 documentary and now as a feature film—that reminds us just how dangerous this line of work can be.

Chris Lemons (Finn Cole) is a pretty happy guy. He has a job he loves and the woman of his dreams, Morag (Bobby Rainsbury). Life couldn’t get much better. However, the job he loves comes with significant risks—he is a diver responsible for maintaining the pipelines in the North Atlantic. When duty calls, Chris leaves Morag and heads to a remote location in the middle of the ocean. He is part of Team A, which includes Duncan (Woody Harrelson) and Dave (Simu Liu), the latter being a particularly skilled and fearless diver. Everything starts off as expected, but a malfunction on the ship leads to disaster—Chris’s cord gets stuck and eventually snaps. His suit provides only ten minutes of emergency air, which is nowhere near enough time for a rescue. If Chris wants to survive, he’ll need a miracle.

Written by Mitchell LaFortune, David Brooks, and Alex Parkinson—who also directs—Last Breath has everything it needs to succeed because it’s based on a true story. Even knowing the outcome, the film still manages to build intense suspense. Bringing Parkinson on board to co-write and direct was the right move, especially given his experience directing the 2019 documentary of the same name. Rather than feeling like a conventional movie, Last Breath immerses you completely—you feel as if you’re on that boat or inside that diving bell, thanks to its realistic depiction of the collaboration between the ship’s crew and the divers. The attention to detail is critical, as the film skillfully integrates real video and audio from the actual incident, heightening the emotional impact on the audience.

Last Breath is a film that will test your nerves while captivating you with stunning footage of the North Sea. These divers face extreme dangers, descending over a hundred meters underwater, and the film vividly portrays the intensity of their work. With a runtime of just over ninety minutes, the tension is relentless, often leaving the audience breathless. As for the cast, led by the ever-charismatic Woody Harrelson, they seamlessly fit into their roles, further adding to the film’s authenticity.

I didn’t know what to expect when I sat down to watch Last Breath, but what I got was a gripping experience that had me on the edge of my seat, clutching the armrests—even though I knew how the story ended. That is a testament to Parkinson and his cast; they have crafted a thrilling adventure that, by the time it’s over, will leave you needing a moment to recover—and maybe even a towel to dry off.