In The Last Breath, friends reunite to scuba dive in the Caribbean. While exploring the wreckage of a sunken warship, they become lost and disoriented. They discover they are not alone as they struggle to find their way through a rusted ship. The Last Breath is not the first film to put the characters in the shark’s world; see Deep Blue Sea and 47 Meters Down. Here, the movie uses the wreckage of a ship for its stagecraft. It is a clever aquatic confinement; however, the script is a hollow vessel, and the characters are as exciting as wet cardboard.
The audience will find that the cast of divers is bait for the shark, akin to the victims in a slasher movie. Given this film takes place largely underwater, there is an element of a ticking clock as the diver’s air supply is set to run out. In better hands, this element could be used to significant effect. The old Hitchcock trick about the anticipation being more effective than the bang could have ramped up the tension in The Last Breath. There is no tension here, not even a flicker of suspense. Time is of the essence, yet the audience finds no reason or interest in caring.
In this film, the most significant detriment is the same mistake countless other shark movies have made: emphasizing effects at the expense of characters. However, the impact of this fishy outing is lackadaisical. The CGI for the sharks is laughably transparent. Further adding to the vortex, the characters go through the motions literally and metaphorically. Sure, there are some attempts at carving out drama. Noah, the diving expert (Jack Parr), is distant from his old flame, Sam (Kim Spearman). Only surface-level romantic tension exists to pad the film’s runtime. There is even a crusty barnacle of a sea captain, Levi (Julian Sands), who is more like a Dollar Store version of Quint.
Another issue with the film is the lack of tension. As noted, it’s straining to craft a shark film today. Given that so much has been explored in Jaws or the heartfelt imitators, The Last Breath paddles from beat to beat without much forethought or surprise. Even though the sharks are artificially concocted, the audience finds itself yawning instead of breathless. The characters practically announce every scene before it happens and then spend ample time rehashing the scene like a droning lecture when it happens.
Now, this is far from the worst shark movie; indeed, others take that prize. However, this is disappointing because, oddly enough, the film’s prologue is the most exciting aspect. Set during World War II, the sinking of the USS Charlotte at the start is high-stakes and thrilling. There is also an element of suspense missing from the rest of the film, as the sharks mysteriously take down the survivors of the wreckage. Sadly, this film sinks after the opening and does not surface for any chance of recovery.
Audiences who expect another surprise shark fest like Under Paris, don’t hold your breath. Instead, let The Last Breath go out to sea rather than suffer in the shallows of its banality. Several Sharknado movies are more engaging than this, or maybe a better use of time would be rewatching Jaws.
The Last Breath will debut in theaters and On Demand on July 26, 2024, courtesy of RLJE Films.
Audiences who expect another surprise shark fest like Under Paris, don't hold your breath. Instead, let The Last Breath go out to sea rather than suffer in the shallows of its banality. Several Sharknado movies are more engaging than this, or maybe a better use of time would be rewatching Jaws.
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GVN Rating
Writing & podcasting, for the love of movies.
His Letterboxd Favorites: The Dark Knight, Halloween, Jaws & Anora.
