‘Last Breath’ (2025) Review – A Gripping Tale Of Survival, Heart, And The Depths Of Fear

There’s something about the deep ocean that’s both haunting and alluring, isn’t there? The cold, vast expanse of water that feels as though it could swallow you whole, without a trace. Last Breath invites us into this chilling underwater world, telling the true story of Chris Lemons, a saturation diver who found himself stranded beneath the waves, fighting for his life after his lifeline was severed. The film pulls us into his harrowing fight for survival and leaves us questioning just how far we’d go to survive when every second feels like an eternity.

The plot is as simple as it is terrifying. Chris (played by Finn Cole) is trapped hundreds of feet below the surface, with only minutes of air and no way to reach the surface. His fate is left in the hands of his crew—Duncan (Woody Harrelson), the experienced leader, and Dave (Simu Liu), the calm, collected diver who’s determined to do whatever it takes to get him back. As the clock ticks down and the ocean seems to close in, we’re left holding our breath right alongside them, praying for a rescue.

What really strikes you about Last Breath is how it masterfully builds tension without relying on flashy action or overly dramatic moments. The film creates an almost suffocating atmosphere, from the narrow space inside the diving bell to the overwhelming vastness of the sea. It’s not just about the physical space, but the emotional isolation that the characters experience. As Chris floats alone, running out of air, the true fear is not just his imminent death, but the crushing loneliness of being so far from safety. The close-up shots of his face and the stifling underwater shots make you feel his panic, his desperation—and, honestly, it’s hard not to feel your own heart race.

The characters in Last Breath are so real and raw, and that’s what makes the film hit you on a much deeper level. Unlike many survival films, this one doesn’t rely on grandiose heroism. Instead, it’s about the quiet moments—the ones where Chris locks eyes with Duncan, or when Dave keeps his composure, even when his own fears are mounting. There’s something so human in these understated performances. They’re not playing perfect heroes; they’re just ordinary people stuck in a nightmare, doing everything they can to survive. It’s the kind of vulnerability that you can’t help but connect with.

The film’s handling of suspense is especially gripping. While the crew’s eventual attempt to rescue Chris is inevitable, the uncertainty of how and when keeps the tension razor-sharp. The alternating scenes between Chris at the bottom of the ocean and the team above water are so well-timed that the suspense becomes almost palpable. Beyond the men fighting to save him, the emotional weight of Chris’s fiancée, Morag (played by Bobby Rainsbury), adds another layer of depth. Her quiet worry—waiting anxiously on land, unaware of the details but feeling the danger in her bones—grounds the story in something more than survival. Love, fear, and hope pulse beneath the surface, making the film resonate on a deeply human level.

The performances are impressive. Finn Cole brings a fragility to Chris that makes his struggle all the more heartbreaking. He’s not just fighting for air; he’s fighting for the life he thought he’d have, for the future he hopes to return to. There’s something so raw in his quiet desperation that pulls you in completely. Simu Liu plays Dave with impressive calm. There’s no over-the-top heroism; just a man doing what he must to save a friend. And of course, Woody Harrelson brings his signature gruff, no-nonsense energy to Duncan, making him the grounding force the film needs. His presence feels comforting, even in the face of all the chaos.

One of the most effective aspects of the film is its pacing. At only 90 minutes, it moves quickly, but there’s still time to catch your breath between the heart-pounding moments. The pacing also plays into the realism of the situation—the underwater scenes feel confined, and the moments of waiting become unbearable, just as they would be in real life. The eerie underwater sound design, the camera angles that trap you in a tiny space, and the raw emotion conveyed in every scene all add to the sense of urgency and claustrophobia.

That said, there are a few moments where the film could have dialed back the sentimentality, particularly in the scenes between Chris and Morag. While the emotional weight these moments carry is understandable, they did feel a little heavy-handed at times. That being said, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise compelling, powerful film.

In the end, Last Breath is a gripping, emotional thriller that pulls you into its world of fear, urgency, and hope. It’s a story of survival, love, and sacrifice, showing the extraordinary lengths we go for those we care about. 

Last Breath is currently playing in theaters courtesy of Focus Features.