Last Breath (2025) - 6/10

After watching the documentary Freediver, this seemed like the obvious progression. I’m watching on a long haul flight and get a warning this is not for nervous flyers. Very promising. I’m fascinated by the deep depths of the ocean. This is the story of people who work in those oceans. Maintaining cabling and pipe work at depths of 1000 metres. Based on a true story, we meet Chris (Finn Cole), a North Sea diver who heads out on a job to repair some pipeline with Duncan (Woody Harrelson) and the surly Dave (Simu Liu), where they’ll be underwater for a month. Chris is the young newbie, qualified but still at the start of his career. Duncan though is on his last job… and what a way to go out. Things, you see are not going to go to plan. They’re being looked after by Craig (Mark Bonnar) on the surface, but as the trio descend in a claustrophobic diving bell the tension ramps. The score is helping, but the real time feel and the cinematic spectacle is enough. Everything is calm on the ocean floor as Chris and Dave head out to do the repair, but a storm on the surface drags their support ship out of position. Leaving Chris momentarily as its anchor snagged on the pipeline, before his umbilical air supply… snaps. Terrifying. I mean it. This hits you like a ton of bricks. It’s devastating and it’s only just the start. He’s got 10 minutes before he’s out of air. The ship are out of contact. The sense of being utterly lost and alone wraps around you with an anxiety fuelled grip. Some of the acting is ropey. The score is a bit of over the top, but there’s heart and plenty of action. Text appears informing us how long he’s been without oxygen, but it’s not needed, you can see his suffering. Chris is now at the mercy of those on the ship, battling without any automated assistance. Magyvering the hell out of things as the score hits celebratory strings. It’s gripping stuff. A remarkable story, told wonderfully… but probably best avoided if you’re a nervous flyer and I wouldn’t watch it if you’re at sea!

6/10