The much-anticipated film Last Breath hits theaters this week, bringing to life the harrowing true story of saturation diver Chris Lemons, played by Finn Cole, who survived 29 minutes without oxygen at the bottom of the North Sea. The film, directed by Alex Parkinson, uses groundbreaking underwater filmmaking techniques to portray the dangers these divers face and the immense human spirit required to survive.
The film recounts the events of September 2012 when Lemons was submerged hundreds of feet underwater during routine repair work for Bibby Offshore. Rough seas created chaos, leading to the snapping of the oxygen cord supplying Lemons air. With limited resources, he was left for dead, and the ensuing attempt to rescue him is both gripping and accurately retold.
Co-stars Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu play fellow divers Duncan Allcock and David Yuasa, respectively, with Liu expressing admiration for the narrative's emphasis on camaraderie and teamwork among saturation divers. He remarked, "On the surface, no pun intended, it’s this incredible story about survival in one of the most treacherous environments you can experience on the planet." Liu's insights bring depth, highlighting the demanding nature of the roles, which required extensive physical training to maintain realism.[1]
One notable aspect of Last Breath is its fidelity to the factual events surrounding the accident. Parkinson, who created the documentary with the same name prior to the film, has ensured the screenplay retains the essence of Lemons' experience, punctuating narratives with actual bodycam footage from the divers involved.
Critics have praised its authenticity, with Mae Abdulbaki from ScreenRant noting, "Last Breath is straightforward but has enough character-building and stakes tied to its core tension. It made me sit at the edge of my seat." The attention to detail is evident, as the film intertwines the technical aspects of deep-sea exploration with the human emotions at play.
While the filmmakers have remained largely faithful to the story, some artistic liberties have been taken for dramatic purposes. For example, the characters portrayed by Harrelson and Liu employ American and Canadian accents, contrasting with their British real-life counterparts. Changes are also evident during the film's final act, where the rescue operations are depicted with heightened tension but diverge from actual events, such as not featuring Yuasa piping oxygen back to Lemons when he reached him. Instead, the script opts for sequences intended to heighten emotional stakes.
After the accident, there are triumphant notes woven through the narrative—though Lemons spent nearly half an hour without oxygen, he emerged from the ordeal virtually unscathed both physically and mentally. He resumed his normal life swiftly, marrying his fiancée Morag just months after the incident and even returning to the site of his brush with death shortly after recovering. His story exemplifies the astonishing resilience of the human body, even when science has yet to fully explain such survival feats.
Last Breath, running at 93 minutes with a PG-13 rating, engages audiences with its intense storyline and exploration of human emotion and survival. From thrilling underwater sequences to interactions between characters, it encapsulates the essence of deep-sea divers whose lives revolve around both danger and teamwork.
While the film serves as entertainment, it also raises questions about the inherent risks tied to underwater exploration and the psychological toll it can take on those who accept these dangerous jobs. By focusing on Chris Lemons' remarkable story, Last Breath does more than just thrill; it shows viewers the indomitable spirit and tenacity required to endure life-threatening challenges.
The movie premiered on February 27, 2025, and is expected not just to captivate audiences but also to resonate with anyone who has ever faced insurmountable odds. At its core, Last Breath reminds us of the power of hope and perseverance, encapsulated poignantly by Liu’s words of the film being, "a story about perseverance, the human spirit and never giving up."