2025   Focus Features

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1  hr 33min

Drama ~ Thriller ~ True Story

Directed by:  Alex Parkinson

Starring: Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, and Cliff Curtis.

Make Every Breath Count

Last Breath is based on the True Story of a terrifying accident that happened in 2012 deep beneath the North Sea. The film follows three saturation divers working on an oil rig manifold about 300 feet underwater. Their team includes Duncan Allcock (Woody Harrelson), the experienced diver who stays in the diving bell overseeing the operation; David Yuasa (Simu Liu), and Chris Lemons (Finn Cole), who enter the water to replace a pipe on the structure. Their job seems routine until a violent storm disrupts everything.

The large support ship above them uses a computer-controlled system called dynamic positioning to hold its place above the rig despite the rough seas. But when the storm causes the system to fail, the ship drifts dangerously away, pulling on the divers’ lifelines, the essential umbilicals that supply them with breathing gas, heat, and communication. Chris Lemons becomes trapped when his umbilical catches on the structure and then snaps, leaving him stranded on the seafloor without his lifeline.

Without gas from his suit supply, Lemons has to rely on small bailout tanks that only last about ten minutes, making his survival time critical. As Lemons drifts and struggles for air, Yuasa fights to reach him, pulling himself hand-over-hand along the umbilical back toward the rig as the ship continues drifting. Meanwhile, on the ship, the crew races to get the dynamic positioning system back online amid huge waves and high winds. They send out a remote-operated vehicle (ROV) to find Lemons and finally locate him weak and motionless on the seafloor, nearly 30 minutes after losing breathable gas.

Despite the odds, Yuasa manages to drag Lemons back to the diving bell, where Allcock pulls off a dramatic rescue, administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and helping Lemons regain consciousness. The amazing thing is Lemons not only survived over half an hour without oxygen but suffered no lasting brain damage, something even scientists cannot fully explain. Remarkably, Lemons returned to work just three weeks later to finish the job.

Captain Andre Jenson (Cliff Curtis) and the vessel crew face a heartbreaking moral choice during the chaos, risking an environmental disaster by staying to rescue Lemons or abandoning the mission to save their own ship. Their decision to keep trying shows the incredible teamwork and human spirit behind this real-life ordeal. Last Breath captures this high-stakes, emotional story with intense realism and respect for the courage of these divers and crew.

In the end, Last Breath is a gripping and inspiring True Story that shows the incredible risks deep-sea divers face and the power of human teamwork and determination. The film’s realistic approach, strong performances, and intense underwater sequences make it both an exciting thriller and a tribute to bravery. While the true story lessens some suspense, the emotional impact and respect for these real heroes more than make up for it. For anyone who loves survival dramas based on real events, Last Breath is definitely worth a watch. It’s a reminder that sometimes the greatest stories come from incredible acts of courage in the face of disaster.

This film is a gripping survival story that’s about more than just a thrilling rescue, it’s about trust, determination, and hope against all odds. It’s highly recommended for anyone interested in real-life drama and amazing true stories.

“Last Breath” (2025) is currently available to rent or purchase digitally on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, and Google Play Movies. It is also streaming with ads on Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, the film is now streaming exclusively on Peacock for subscribers.