Last Breath

Last Breath” is a 2025 survival thriller film that follows a team of seasoned deep-sea divers racing against time to rescue their crewmate, Chris Lemons, trapped 300 feet below the North Sea’s surface after a catastrophic accident. Directed by Alex Parkinson and starring Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole, this gripping tale—released on February 28, 2025, by Focus Features—is based on a real 2012 incident. When a storm and a computer failure sever Lemons’ lifeline, his crew battles raging elements and dwindling oxygen to save him, showcasing teamwork and resilience in a heart-pounding narrative.

What Is “Last Breath” About?

Set in September 2012 off Scotland’s coast, Last Breath dramatizes the true story of saturation divers Duncan Allcock (Harrelson), Dave Yuasa (Liu), and Chris Lemons (Cole). The trio is repairing an oil pipeline manifold when their support ship, Bibby Topaz, loses its dynamic positioning system during a storm. The vessel drifts, snapping Lemons’ umbilical cord—his source of oxygen, heat, and communication—leaving him with just five minutes of backup gas at 100 meters deep. Against all odds, Yuasa and Allcock risk their lives to retrieve him after 29 oxygen-less minutes, defying scientific explanation for his survival. The film captures this miracle with tense realism.

Key Details of “Last Breath”

Plot Breakdown

• The Crisis: Lemons and Yuasa work on the seabed while Allcock oversees from the diving bell. A storm cripples the ship’s systems, dragging the bell and severing Lemons’ umbilical.
• The Rescue: With only minutes of air, Lemons is left unconscious. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) locates him, and Yuasa braves the depths to haul him back. Allcock resuscitates him in the bell, sparking a stunning recovery.
• The Aftermath: Lemons survives unscathed, reuniting with his fiancée, Morag, in a moving close.

Cast and Production

• Director: Alex Parkinson, who co-directed the 2019 documentary Last Breath.
• Cast: Woody Harrelson as veteran diver Duncan, Simu Liu as determined Dave, Finn Cole as Chris, with Cliff Curtis in support.
• Stats: Made for $10-15 million, it grossed $23 million globally by mid-March 2025.

Reception

With a 79% Rotten Tomatoes score (web ID: 15), critics praise its “riveting tension” and Harrelson’s performance, though some note a “shallow” script (web ID: 13). X posts call it “tense” and “well-shot” but mixed on emotional depth (posts IDs: 0, 4, 7).

Why “Last Breath” Resonates

Last Breath blends visceral thrills with a human core. It’s less about the ocean’s fury and more about camaraderie under pressure—think Apollo 13 meets The Perfect Storm. Lemons’ survival, linked to cold water and oxygen saturation from heliox breathing, remains a medical marvel. Posts on X highlight its “edge-of-your-seat” pacing and “realistic” depiction of saturation diving’s claustrophobic stakes (post ID: 2), making it a testament to human grit.

How to Watch “Last Breath” in 2025

As of March 21, 2025, Last Breath is in theaters, having debuted a month ago. Check Fandango for showtimes. Streaming details are pending, but Focus Features titles often hit platforms like Peacock within 60-90 days—expect late April or May availability.