Last Breath Movie Review

I have a strange fascination with cave diving and scuba diving disasters. Morbid? Absolutely. But there’s something about the sheer unpredictability of the deep that keeps me hooked. I listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, and absorb every terrifying detail of these underwater nightmares. And yet, when I sat down to watch Last Breath, I realized I had heard this story before—but had somehow blocked it out. Maybe my brain was protecting me. Maybe it knew this one would push me past the limits of my medication. But I pressed play anyway.

From the opening moments, Last Breath grips you with an unrelenting sense of dread. The film, directed by Alex Parkinson, dramatizes the real-life ordeal of saturation diver Chris Lemons, played by Finn Cole. Alongside his colleagues Duncan Allcock (Woody Harrelson) and Dave Yuasa (Simu Liu), Chris embarks on what should have been a routine dive in the North Sea. But when a catastrophic failure severs his lifeline—cutting off his oxygen, power, and communication—he is left stranded 300 feet below the surface with only minutes of breathable air.

I found myself unnecessarily holding my breath, as if my own oxygen deprivation could somehow will Chris to survive. The cold, dark abyss swallowed him whole, and I clung to the hope that the frigid water might preserve his life. But deep down, I knew how this ended. I just didn’t want to admit it.

The performances are gripping. Harrelson brings a grizzled wisdom to Duncan, the seasoned diver who must make impossible decisions. Liu’s portrayal of Dave is raw and urgent, capturing the desperation of a man racing against time. And Cole? He is hauntingly convincing as Chris, a man whose fate hangs by a thread.

By the time the credits rolled, I was exhausted. My nerves were shot, my mind racing. I needed an escape, a cleanse—so I turned to my painting with numbers, a mindless but soothing ritual that helped me shake off the lingering anxiety.

Would I recommend Last Breath? Without hesitation. It is tense, immersive, and emotionally draining—but in the best way possible. If you’re unfamiliar with the true story, I won’t spoil it for you. Just know that this film will take you to the depths of human endurance and leave you gasping for air.

I give this movie 5 out of 5 acorns.