✅ “Last Breath (2025)” is a gripping survival thriller that plunges audiences into the terrifying true story of deep-sea diver Chris Lemons. Released in cinemas globally starting February 14, 2025, and hitting wide release in the US on February 28, 2025, this feature film is a dramatic adaptation of the acclaimed 2019 documentary of the same name, with director Alex Parkinson returning to helm the narrative version. Starring Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole, the film recounts the harrowing incident where Lemons, working hundreds of feet beneath the North Sea, became stranded with only minutes of oxygen after his umbilical line was severed. With breathtaking underwater cinematography and a pulse-pounding score, “Last Breath” is a testament to human resilience, teamwork, and the desperate race against time in one of the most hostile environments on Earth. It has garnered strong critical and audience reception for its intense realism and powerful performances.

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6.976/10

Last Breath

Director: Alex Parkinson

Writers: Mitchell LaFortune, Alex Parkinson, David Brooks

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole

Country: United Kingdom, United States of America

Genres: Drama, Thriller

Languages: English

Overview: Seasoned deep-sea divers battle the raging elements to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface.

TMDb: View on TMDb

Last Breath (2025) – Movie Overview & Analysis – BollyFlix

Movie Details 

• Full Name: Last Breath (2025)
• Language: English
• Budget: Not Publicly Disclosed (Estimated to be in the $15-25 million range)
• Revenue: $24.4 Million (Worldwide Box Office, as of June 2025)
• Runtime: 96 Minutes (1 Hour 36 Minutes)
• Release Date: February 28, 2025 (US Wide Release); February 14, 2025 (Bulgaria, earliest release)
• Genres: Thriller, Drama, Survival
• Cast: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis
• Director: Alex Parkinson
• Screenplay: Mitchell LaFortune, Alex Parkinson, David Brooks
• Studios & Producers: Focus Features, Dark Castle Entertainment, Longshot Features, Metfilm, FilmNation Entertainment, Aperture Media Partners, Thing 44, Floating Harbour (Producers: Stewart le Maréchal, Al Morrow, Anna Mohr-Pietsch, David Brooks, Paul Brooks, Hal Sadoff, Norman Golightly, Jeremy Plager)
• Music Director: Paul Leonard-Morgan
• Cinematography: Nick Remy Matthews
• Editor: Josh Mallalieu, David Arthur (Credited for documentary; likely involved in feature)

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Plot Summary

“Last Breath (2025)” is a gripping survival thriller based on the astonishing true story of Chris Lemons, a deep-sea saturation diver. The film plunges into the terrifying incident that occurred in 2012 in the treacherous North Sea. Lemons (played by Finn Cole) is part of a team of divers working hundreds of feet below the surface, maintaining undersea gas lines, living in pressurized chambers to withstand the extreme depths.

During a routine deployment, a catastrophic equipment malfunction occurs on their support vessel above, causing it to drift away in a violent storm. As the ship is pulled, Chris Lemons’ umbilical line—which supplies him with communication, power, and vital oxygen—snaps, leaving him stranded and alone in the crushing darkness of the seabed. With only the emergency air from his backup tank, giving him a mere few minutes of oxygen, Chris faces impossible odds. Above, his worried teammates, particularly Duncan Allcock (Woody Harrelson) and Dave Yuasa (Simu Liu), along with the crew on the surface, launch a desperate, against-the-clock rescue mission. They battle the raging elements and technical failures, racing to find and save Chris before his last breath. The film meticulously details the psychological and physical toll on Lemons and the intense logistical challenges faced by his would-be rescuers, highlighting the remarkable resilience of the human spirit and the power of teamwork in extreme conditions.

Cast & Crew

“Last Breath (2025)” brings together a strong cast to portray the real-life individuals involved in this harrowing survival story. Finn Cole takes on the central role of Chris Lemons, the deep-sea diver who becomes stranded, delivering a performance that conveys both his professional composure and the sheer terror of his predicament. Woody Harrelson stars as Duncan Allcock, one of Lemons’ teammates and a seasoned diver, whose experience and calm demeanor become crucial during the emergency. Harrelson’s portrayal is noted for bringing depth to the character. Simu Liu plays Dave Yuasa, another diver who works closely with Lemons, offering a stoic and pragmatic presence amidst the chaos. Cliff Curtis and Mark Bonnar round out the main cast as other key members of the diving operation.

Behind the camera, the film is directed by Alex Parkinson, who notably co-directed the highly acclaimed 2019 documentary “Last Breath,” giving him an unparalleled understanding of the true events. This familiarity allows for a compelling and authentic narrative adaptation. The screenplay was co-written by Parkinson himself, alongside Mitchell LaFortune and David Brooks, ensuring a detailed and suspenseful recreation of the incident. The cinematography by Nick Remy Matthews is particularly lauded for its immersive underwater sequences, crucial for conveying the claustrophobia and peril of the deep sea. The pulse-pounding score by Paul Leonard-Morgan heightens the tension and emotional stakes, making “Last Breath” a visceral experience.

Critical & Audience Response

“Last Breath (2025)” has received **generally favorable reviews from critics** since its theatrical release starting in February 2025. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a respectable 76% approval rating based on 78 critic reviews, with a consensus praising its ability to “ratchet up the tension to a riveting degree” and deliver a “remarkable true story with the utmost efficiency.” Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score, gave it a 65 out of 100 based on 33 critic reviews, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” Critics frequently highlighted the film’s **authentic portrayal of saturation diving, the intense suspense, and the strong performances** from the lead cast, particularly Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole. Reviewers noted the film’s ability to immerse the audience in the terrifying isolation and the desperate race against time.

**Audience response has been even more overwhelmingly positive**, with a **Verified Audience Score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes**. Viewers have praised the film as a gripping and emotional survival thriller, with many commending its faithfulness to the true story and the incredible resilience depicted. The film’s technical aspects, including its claustrophobic atmosphere and realistic underwater sequences, resonated strongly with audiences. Overall, “Last Breath” has successfully translated a compelling true story into an electrifying narrative feature that resonates with both critics and the general public, proving to be a powerful and memorable cinematic experience.

Direction & Cinematography

The direction by Alex Parkinson in “Last Breath (2025)” is a standout element of the film’s success. Having co-directed the original 2019 documentary on the same true story, Parkinson brings an unparalleled level of authenticity and detail to this narrative adaptation. His direction focuses on immersing the audience directly into the harrowing experience, expertly building tension and claustrophobia. He deftly manages the dual narratives—Chris Lemons’ isolated struggle underwater and the desperate efforts of the rescue team on the surface and in the diving bell—ensuring that both perspectives contribute to the film’s relentless suspense. Parkinson’s deep understanding of the subject matter allows him to prioritize realism, making the dangers and technical challenges feel genuinely palpable.

The cinematography by Nick Remy Matthews is nothing short of breathtaking and crucial to the film’s impact. Matthews’ work captures the terrifying beauty and unforgiving nature of the deep-sea environment. The underwater sequences are particularly lauded for their realism, utilizing innovative filming techniques to convey the limited visibility, crushing pressure, and profound isolation faced by the divers. The camera work effectively translates the psychological toll of the situation, switching between wide shots that emphasize the vast, alien environment and tight close-ups that highlight the characters’ faces, conveying their fear, determination, and dwindling hope. The visuals combine to create a visceral and unforgettable experience, making the audience feel every gasp and every moment of despair and triumph.

Music & Background Score

The music and background score for “Last Breath (2025)” are composed by Paul Leonard-Morgan, and they play an indispensable role in ratcheting up the film’s intense suspense and emotional depth. Leonard-Morgan is known for his work in thrillers and action films, and his score here is designed to be a constant companion to the audience’s anxiety.

The score is expected to be largely atmospheric and minimalist during moments of quiet dread, relying on deep, resonant tones and subtle electronic textures to convey the crushing pressure and isolation of the deep sea. As the crisis escalates, the music likely shifts to a more driving, percussive sound, mirroring the frantic efforts of the rescue team and the dwindling time. The score effectively builds tension without becoming overly bombastic, allowing the harrowing visuals and performances to take center stage. There are also moments where the music might swell with a sense of hope or profound relief, particularly during the more emotional beats of the rescue. The sound design works in tandem with the score, incorporating realistic sounds of diving equipment, crackling communications, and the eerie silence of the abyss, creating an immersive auditory experience that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Visuals & Special Effects

“Last Breath (2025)” relies heavily on its **visuals and special effects** to convey the sheer terror and unique environment of deep-sea saturation diving. Given that the film is based on a true story and a highly acclaimed documentary, realism is paramount. The filmmakers have gone to great lengths to ensure authenticity in the depiction of underwater operations and the catastrophic accident.

The visual effects are employed subtly to create the illusion of extreme depth, pressure, and the vast, dark expanse of the North Sea. This includes realistic rendering of submersible vehicles, the delicate umbilical lines, and the industrial structures on the seabed. Practical effects, combined with CGI, are used to simulate the rupture of the umbilical, the violent movements of the vessel in the storm, and the effects of pressure and cold on the human body. The film avoids flashy, unrealistic CGI, instead opting for effects that enhance the sense of peril and realism. The production reportedly involved rigorous training for the cast in deep-sea diving techniques and utilized real-life divers as consultants, further grounding the visual presentation in authenticity. The result is a visually arresting experience that draws viewers into the confined, claustrophobic world of the divers, making their struggle for survival incredibly visceral and believable.

Editing & Screenplay

The **editing** of “Last Breath (2025)” is critical to its success as a high-tension thriller. The pacing is expertly crafted to maintain relentless suspense, with rapid cuts during moments of crisis and more deliberate pacing to emphasize the agonizing wait and dwindling oxygen supply. The editors (specific names are not consistently highlighted in top search results, suggesting a collaborative effort perhaps) skillfully interweave the parallel narratives—Chris Lemons’ struggle alone in the abyss and the frantic rescue efforts on the surface and in the diving bell. This creates a powerful sense of urgency and constantly shifts the viewer’s focus between the individual’s fight for life and the collective effort to save him. The transitions between the underwater environment and the ship are seamless, enhancing the immersive experience and reinforcing the daunting challenges faced by the crew.

The **screenplay**, written by Mitchell LaFortune, Alex Parkinson, and David Brooks, is a testament to effective adaptation of a true story. Building on the foundation of Parkinson’s original documentary, the script meticulously recreates the sequence of events while dramatizing the human element without sacrificing authenticity. The dialogue is largely functional, serving to advance the plot and convey crucial information in a high-stakes environment, rather than focusing on extensive character development beyond their immediate roles in the crisis. The strength of the screenplay lies in its ability to generate profound tension through clear exposition of the technical challenges and the dire consequences of failure. It highlights themes of resilience, professional dedication, and the unbreakable bond of teamwork under extreme duress, making the story both thrilling and deeply moving.

Positives / What Works

“Last Breath (2025)” excels as a survival thriller due to its **immense tension and realism**. Director Alex Parkinson’s intimate knowledge of the true story (from his original documentary) ensures an authentic and harrowing portrayal of the deep-sea crisis. The film’s **cinematography** is exceptional, creating a truly claustrophobic and terrifying underwater environment. Strong performances from the cast, particularly **Finn Cole as Chris Lemons and Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu** as his dedicated teammates, ground the high-stakes drama in believable human emotion. The **pacing and editing** are masterful, constantly ratcheting up the suspense. The film also powerfully showcases themes of **human resilience, professional expertise, and the critical importance of teamwork** in extreme conditions. Its faithful adaptation of an incredible true story makes it inherently compelling and inspiring.

Negatives / What Doesn’t Work

While largely praised, “Last Breath (2025)” does have a few minor aspects that some viewers might find less impactful. As an adaptation of a documentary, some critics noted that the **character development beyond their professional roles is somewhat limited**, focusing more on the situation than individual backstories. This can make some characters feel less fleshed out. Additionally, for those already familiar with the 2019 documentary, the narrative feature might offer **fewer surprises** in terms of plot progression, as the outcome of the true story is already known. Some might also find the intensity relentless, offering little reprieve from the constant tension, which could be exhausting for certain viewers. Finally, a few minor instances of dialogue or narrative choices might feel slightly conventional for the thriller genre, but these are generally outweighed by the film’s overall strengths.

Final Verdict / Conclusion

“Last Breath (2025)” is a remarkable and harrowing cinematic experience that successfully translates an incredible true story of survival into a pulse-pounding thriller. Director Alex Parkinson, with his unique insight into the original events, delivers a film that is both authentically detailed and intensely dramatic. The performances from Finn Cole, Woody Harrelson, and Simu Liu are compelling, drawing viewers into the claustrophobic and terrifying world of deep-sea diving. With breathtaking underwater cinematography, a tension-building score, and taut editing, the film creates an immersive experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Despite being based on a well-documented true event, the film manages to maintain a gripping sense of uncertainty and awe. “Last Breath” is a powerful testament to human courage, the limits of endurance, and the unbreakable bonds forged under extreme pressure. It’s a must-watch for fans of survival thrillers and true-story dramas.

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