'Last Breath' Movie Review: The Terrifying True Story of Survival 300 Feet Under the Ocean

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Picture this: 300 feet below the ocean’s surface, with nothing but darkness and freezing water around you, and your lifeline suddenly cuts out. That’s the heart-stopping scenario at the center of Last Breath, a survival thriller that’ll make you forget to breathe (and… also probably give you nightmares – at least it did for me).

Director Alex Parkinson takes a real-life near-death experience and turns it into a white-knuckle ride that’ll have you gripping your armrest from the first minute. This isn’t just another movie about danger—it’s a raw, pulse-pounding look at what humans can endure when everything goes wrong. The film grabs you hard and doesn’t let go, showing how split-second decisions and pure human grit can mean the difference between making it home or becoming another tragic ocean story.

Last Breath Movie Trailer

Last Breath Movie Review: What I Did and Didn’t Like

Parkinson, who previously documented this incredible true story in 2018, brings a documentarian’s eye for detail to the recreation. The underwater sequences are nothing short of extraordinary, capturing the claustrophobic terror of being trapped in an environment utterly hostile to human survival. The cinematography doesn’t just show the ocean—it makes you feel the crushing pressure, the absolute darkness, and the suffocating silence.

The film’s 93-minute runtime works to its advantage, maintaining a relentless pace that mirrors the urgency of the rescue operation. There’s no fat on this narrative—every scene serves a purpose, every moment counts. This efficiency prevents the story from becoming repetitive while simultaneously building an almost unbearable tension.

The Story

What makes Last Breath truly remarkable is how it transforms a potentially dry technical scenario into a profound meditation on human capability. It’s a film about professionals doing what they do best under circumstances most would consider impossible. The dive team isn’t presented as Hollywood heroes, but as skilled workers executing a dangerous job with remarkable composure.

The movie also subtly explores themes of technological vulnerability. In 2025, we are all increasingly dependent on complex tech systems, and Last Breath demonstrates how quickly those systems can fail—and how human skill, preparation, and teamwork become the ultimate survival mechanism. It’s a truly incredible story, and it was a nice reminder that miracles can, indeed, be possible.

Acting

Woody Harrelson delivers a nuanced performance as Duncan Allcock, a seasoned saturation diver on the cusp of retirement. He brings a weathered authenticity to the role, portraying an individual struggling with the potential loss of a colleague and the weight of years spent in one of the world’s most dangerous professions. His character represents the old guard of deep-sea diving—pragmatic, tough, but not without a profound sense of responsibility for his team.

Simu Liu complements Harrelson as Dave Yuasa, providing a counterpoint of youthful determination and technical precision. Together, they create a dynamic that feels genuinely lived-in, suggesting years of shared experiences and mutual respect. Their interactions never feel contrived but instead capture the subtle communication of professionals who understand each other at a fundamental level.

Finn Cole nails the portrayal of Chris Lemons, bringing such a visceral authenticity to a dire underwater survival scenario. He captures controlled panic with perfection—not overdramatic, but tensely realistic. In scenes where most actors might resort to melodrama, Cole keeps it understated, letting the real-life stakes speak for themselves. While the character development is minimal, Cole makes every moment count, transforming Lemons from a potential plot device into a credible, relatable individual facing an impossible situation.

Overall Thoughts

For audiences seeking a thriller that prioritizes realism over spectacle, Last Breath delivers in spades. It’s a film that doesn’t just tell a story but recreates an experience so visceral that you’ll find yourself unconsciously holding your breath.

It’s also a refreshing reminder that the most compelling stories are often those rooted in real human experiences. You’ll walk out of the theater feeling like you’ve just been through something intense – totally drained, but also weirdly pumped up. I still can’t believe this is a true story – which makes this one all the more incredible.