Finn Cole, Simu Liu and Woody Harrelson star in a mesmerising and heart-wrenching dramatization based on a shocking true story
Last Breath is a stomach-churningly amazing, eye-opening survival thriller with deeply affecting performances from Finn Cole, Simu Liu and Woody Harrelson.
Based on the true story of deep-sea saturation divers Duncan Allcock, David Yuasa, and Chris Lemons, Last Breath is a heart-pounding, immersive survival thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Written by Mitchell LaFortune, Alex Parkinson, and David Brooks, and directed by Parkinson, this feature film is a remake of the 2019 documentary, taking viewers on a breathless journey into the dark depths of the North Sea.
From the moment the sound of water swells at the start, Last Breath captivates. The tension is palpable, and the use of sound is masterfully timed, building an unrelenting sense of urgency and danger. The stakes are high in this job—often described as “one of the most dangerous on Earth”—and the film highlights the suffocating pressures the divers face as they acclimatize in compression chambers, preparing to plunge up to 1,000 feet underwater. The cinematography is striking, offering a chilling yet mesmerizing glimpse into the perilous world of saturation diving, a job compared to “going into space but underwater.”
The emotional core of the film is as gripping as the action. The question hangs heavy: Is one young diver’s life worth risking multiple others and an environmental catastrophe? The personal stakes mirror the isolation and pressure many of us felt during the pandemic, evoking an even deeper empathy for the divers’ harrowing struggle. This film couldn’t be more timely, as the stories of Allcock, Yuasa, and Lemons deserve to be told now more than ever.
The cast is pitch-perfect. Cole takes the spotlight as rookie Lemons, drawing us into his emotional journey with a captivating performance. Harrelson plays the fatherly Allcock, while Liu brings a quiet intensity to Yuasa. Their chemistry is electric, with much of the film’s drama unfolding underwater. The lack of dialogue places a premium on sound, physicality, and facial expressions, which the cast delivers brilliantly.
Cole, far from his breakout role in Peaky Blinders, is mesmerizing as Lemons. His breath, the weight of emotion in his gaze, and the subtle shifts in his face create an intensity that leaves you unable to look away. Harrelson, though not on screen as much as expected, delivers a powerhouse performance in every scene, bringing strength and nuance to Allcock. Liu, as Yuasa, radiates a quiet intensity that keeps viewers hooked as we watch his emotional arc unfold.
The script, with its poignant simplicity, allows the actors to truly shine. It lets their performances breathe, amplifying the humanity in an environment that is, by nature, extreme and alien. Harrelson, Liu, and Cole harness the full emotional impact of the story, bringing the unsung heroes of this true tale to life with raw, stirring moments that resonate deeply.
Last Breath doesn’t just tell a gripping survival story—it also touches on themes of isolation, vulnerability, and men’s mental health, with a tenderness that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It forces you to confront your own mortality and makes you want to hold your loved ones a little tighter.
The film’s slogan, “Make every breath count,” couldn’t be more fitting. Last Breath certainly makes every second count, with its relentless pacing, breathtaking performances, and emotional depth. I spent the entire 93 minutes holding my breath, and as I left the cinema, I found myself reflecting: “Films like this are why I love my job.”
Last Breath is hands down the best survival thriller I’ve seen in years—an epic, heart-stopping ride that demands to be experienced.
★★★★★ (Five stars)
