Every summer, shark movies arrive, often bringing disappointment with them. I didn’t have high expectations when I pressed play to watch the latest shark movie, The Last Breath. So, was the movie worth diving into? Let’s talk about it.
Warning: Mild Spoilers
The movie follows a group of old friends reuniting for a Caribbean vacation. Their idyllic reunion takes a horrifying turn when they explore a sunken World War II battleship. What begins as an adventurous dive quickly becomes a desperate fight for survival when a massive great white stalks them as their air runs out.
Early in the movie, we are introduced to the six main characters and one supporting character. Noah (Jack Parr) is a scuba instructor. He’s a nice guy who still harbors feelings towards his ex, Sam (Kim Spearman), who arrives with his friends Brett (Alexander Arnold), Logan (Arlo Carter), and Riley (Erin Mullen), who are desperate to explore the sunken ship.
Right off to bat, within moments of the introductions, I was rooting for Brett to die; he’s a complete douche. I have to admit, the characters are a bit stereotypical: the nice guy, the love interest, the a-hole (Brett), the stoner (Logan), and the character just there to be cannon fodder (Erin Mullen). The seventh character, Captain Levi, is played by Julian Sands. It was his last role before he sadly passed away.
We don’t get many reasons to be invested in most characters simply because some are unlikeable and a bit two-dimensional. We don’t get to know them, so why should we care if they become fish food? Viewers might care more about their survival if the characters were explored a bit more.
The story itself is interesting. The beginning gives us a glimpse of the ship’s back story, which is a nice touch. While you know who will die from the get-go, thanks to a lot of foreshadowing and the basic shark movie formula, you are still along for the ride. You still want to see it unfold. And thanks to a lot of well-built suspense, it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The majority of The Last Breath features the group in the nearly complete darkness of the ship, with the only light coming from the group’s masks and flashlights, giving you a glimpse at the wreckage. Usually, you will hear me bitching about movies being super dark, but it works in The Last Breath’s favor. It adds tension and claustrophobia and adds to the feeling of panic. It was a good choice.
With movies like this, the special effects are super important. They can make or break the film. Luckily, I can report that the effects are primarily fantastic, except for one scene involving Sands. From the sharks to the blood and gore, I was pleased. They look realistic and don’t go overboard. The movie looks great and features excellent cinematography.
The Last Breath is from director Joachim Hedén, a filmmaker known for crafting suspenseful narratives that dive deep into aquatic thrills with films like The Dive and Breaking the Surface. Be sure to check out our interview with the director.
While The Last Breath features many tropes and is somewhat predictable, it’s still gripping and worth watching, especially for fans of the shark genre. It’s available now on Netflix, Apple TV, and Prime Video.
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