“Last Breath” delivers a modern survival thriller at the bottom of the ocean which is a setting rarely explored outside the bulk of James Cameron’s film. The fresh layer to this story is that it’s inspired by actual events. It’s an intense underwater rescue mission that chronicles saturation diver Chris Lemons’ (Finn Cole) harrowing ordeal when he becomes stranded at the bottom of the frigid Northern Sea after a catastrophic Dynamic Positioning System failure causes his vessel to drift away, severing his oxygen supply line.
This true story of survival comes to life through a capable ensemble featuring Cole, Woody Harrelson as veteran diver Duncan Allcock, and Simu Liu as level-headed Dave Yuasa. While the cast shines during the crisis sequences, the script does little to help the actors with overbearing attempts at emotional profundity, often reduced to B movie dialogue that undermines the characters’ authenticity.
The opening shot—a prone body captured with underwater drone footage—establishes the premise and visual aesthetic. We follow Chris and fellow divers, Dave (Liu), and sentimental veteran Duncan (Harrelson), as they embark on what should be routine maintenance work on an undersea gas line manifold.
The plot thickens when the ship’s Dynamic Positioning System malfunctions, causing the vessel to drift away from the work site. As Dave and Chris scramble to climb atop the manifold structure to escape being dragged along, Chris’s umbilical line becomes entangled and eventually snaps, leaving him stranded with only a ten-minute emergency oxygen supply and no communication. The script’s choice to often cut back to unnecessary flashbacks featuring Morag works against the gradual buildup of tension in this film.
The film’s emotional weight is put on the shoulders of Duncan, a retirement-bound diving veteran with a folksy platitude for every situation. Harrelson excels in the role, elevating himself above the script. Liu’s character remains very one-dimensional, and his portrayal is underwhelming.
“Last Breath” shines when the script allows the crisis to illustrate its underlying theme of mortality confronted by men of action. The film builds tension as the ship’s crew struggles to solve the positioning system failure while an ROV locates the unconscious Chris, who has secured himself to the manifold but is showing signs of severe oxygen deprivation.
Director Alex Parkinson, having previously co-directed a documentary about this same incident (also titled “Last Breath,” 2019), demonstrates skill in presenting underwater sequences. His effective integration of handheld camera work with surveillance footage from inside and around the diving bell creates genuinely tense moments.
Ultimately, “Last Breath” is engaging enough for a view, but will not stick with viewers long after the release.
Letter Grade: B-