Last Breath: A Thrilling yet Flawed Adaptation of a True Story
In a genre that has been extensively explored, survival thrillers continue to captivate audiences with their intense and suspenseful storylines. According to a recent review by Elements of Madness, the Alex Parkinson dramatic thriller Last Breath, adapted from the Parkinson/Richard Da Costa co-directed documentary of the same name, is a prime example of this. The film tells the true story of a maintenance undersea diver who was the subject of an intense rescue mission.
The publication reports that the film follows Chris Lemons, played by Finn Cole, a saturation diver who, while on a routine maintenance job, finds himself in a desperate situation when his support line gets caught and snaps, leaving him with only 10 minutes of air. The crew above and below the waterline must work together to find Chris and bring him home. As Elements of Madness notes, "It’s critical for the sake of the subgenre that we feel actual tension when someone’s life is on the line, and it’s more than the absence of light that does this."
The review highlights the exceptional underwater cinematography by Nick Remy Matthews and Ian Seabrook, which effectively puts the audience on the edge of their seat. The use of lighting, particularly the red flare used by Chris to navigate the dark waters, creates a sense of tension and helplessness. As the publication states, "It’s one thing to know, to be cognizant, of Chris’s isolation and helplessness, it’s another thing to see it play out before you, with a vast swath of black surrounding him, waiting to swallow him as the flare goes out."
However, Elements of Madness also notes that the film’s 90-minute runtime means that it centers on Chris and rushes to get to the incident without building up those around him. The publication states that "taking more time at the start to establish the characters, help them be defined more than what the performances from the actors offer, would enhance the drama inherent to the tale." The reviewer also criticizes the lack of emotional connection with the characters, particularly with Simu Liu’s character, Dave, who comes across as distant and unengaging.
The physical and digital editions of the film include three special features – a two-minute gag reel, a 10-minute making-of featurette titled "Into the Deep: Making Last Breath", and a feature-length commentary track from co-writer/director Parkinson and co-writer/producer David Brooks. As Elements of Madness suggests, "this commentary track is going to be the place to go to learn more about the adaptation process, why he felt this story required adaptation, and other details that you just won’t find in ‘Into the Deep’."
Overall, Last Breath is a thrilling yet flawed adaptation of a true story. While it excels in its suspenseful storytelling and exceptional cinematography, it falls short in its character development and emotional connection. As Elements of Madness concludes, "Ultimately, Last Breath is a bit of a mixed bag." The film is available on digital, Peacock, Blu-ray, and DVD, and is worth watching for fans of survival thrillers.
The film has been sourced from Elements of Madness and has been reported to be available on various platforms from March 18th, 2025. For more information, head to the official Focus Features Last Breath webpage.
With a score of 3 out of 5, Last Breath is a film that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, but may leave them wanting more in terms of character development and emotional connection.
Last Breath special features include:
- Feature commentary with co-writer/director Alex Parkinson and co-writer/producer David Brooks (1:33:21)
- Into the Deep: Making Last Breath (10:37)
- Gag Reel (2:12)
