CGI sharks make mincemeat out of old college buddies in a predictable thriller that marks the last performance of venerated actor Julian Sands. The Last Breath never tries to be anything more than a low-budget indie film with the usual slew of underdeveloped, one-note characters. That said, Swedish director Joachim Hedén uses his extensive experience in the underwater genre to make the experience less superficial and more cinematic for the buck. The Last Breath deserves credit for being well-shot and edited but falls short with a generic script that lacks any surprises. You can easily guess who won’t be making the boat ride back to shore.
The film opens in 1944 with a German U-boat torpedoing the USS Charlotte in the Caribbean. Several sailors survive the attack but meet a grisly fate treading water among the wreckage. In the present, Captain Levi (Sands) and his first mate, Noah (Jack Parr), are mocked by a passing luxury ship for their futility. He’s been searching for the Charlotte for decades. Like clockwork, Noah makes a remarkable discovery on his next dive. Levi and Noah can barely contain their excitement. They have dreams of fame and fortune but agree the ship must be reported and studied first.
However, when Noah’s friends arrive at a nearby island to party, Noah can’t contain the big secret while getting hammered on the beach that night. His social media influencer friend begs for them to dive and explore the wreck but is rudely dismissed by Levi. This changes when Brett opens his checkbook and Levi admits he’s used the boat as collateral for loans. Money talks and the group leaves the next morning with big hangovers. The thirst for an exciting adventure becomes screams of terror as the Charlotte’s underwater residents make their presence felt.
A Skilled Director, Hungry Sharks, and Stupid Characters
The Last Breath (2024)
2/5
Levi, a British expat diver, has been searching for the wreck of the USS Charlotte for his entire life. Assisted by US college graduate Noah, they discover the wreck’s location. When Noah’s friends join, they become trapped in the wreck, running out of air and facing deadly predators in a race against time to survive.
Release Date July 26, 2024
Director Joachim Hedén
Cast Julian Sands , Alexander Arnold , Jack Parr , Kim Spearman , Erin Mullen , Arlo Carter , Maxime Durand , William Erazo Fernández
Runtime 1h 36m
Writers Andrew Prendergast , Nick Saltrese
Pros
- Joachim Hedén has a lot of skill as a director and the film looks cinematic despite its small budget.
Cons
- The CGI sharks and the look of the boat are terrible and cheap. Julian Sands deserved a better final film.
- The characters are empty and the action and horror is by-the-numbers and lacks suspense.
The Last Breath frames the besties as accomplished divers who are foolishly overconfident. Noah dictates what must be done to search the ship safely. They’re equipped with guidelines, magnetic lights, and radio communication, which, of course, loses contact with the boat. Hedén, whose last two films, Breaking Surface and The Dive, were also filmed underwater, isn’t flippant about important scuba details. He wants the audience to believe the characters aren’t neophytes plunging to their doom.
The narrative goes south when the characters embrace stupidity in a situation where common sense and experience should prevail. It’s not quite like running cluelessly into the dark woods, but it comes awfully close. Why they don’t turn back when everyone is low on air is a silly mystery. The idea that nothing bad can happen if we all stick together has been uttered in every doomed expedition. The script plays to their hubris, much to the hungry sharks’ delight.
The Last Breath doesn’t have bloodthirsty predators swarming like piranhas. Hedén tries to build tension in the USS Charlotte’s maze of bleak, dimly lit corridors. But he broadcasts when the game is afoot with loud bangs and sinister shadows. The audience is notified that the buffet is about to begin. Why not have the sharks strike unexpectedly for a real jump-scare moment? Every action scene didn’t need a set-up. All the foreshadowing wastes potential scares. One in particular would have been fantastic if you hadn’t seen it coming from a mile away.
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Bad CGI and a Wasted Opportunity
The sharks are computerized and don’t look realistic. They’re gray objects set against black backgrounds with no extended or detailed views. Normally, this would be a serious flaw, but Hedén’s slick camerawork and the gory aftermath somewhat suffices. They come and go in a flash with human chunks and viscera left floating in a bloody suspension. The minor excitement that exists comes from the possibility of sharks still lurking in the area for seconds. But again, the film chooses not to capitalize on the unknown. There’s no doubt when they’re swooping in for a kill.
The Last Breath had chances to deviate from the expected. Every character who’s a jerk becomes tasty morsels. Screenwriters Andrew Prendergast and Nick Saltrese take no risks with the cast. Would it have been a cardinal sin to have the sweet and caring shredded as the first course? Sharks don’t discriminate by personality, so the nice guys didn’t have to finish last.
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An aspect of the production design stands out for the wrong reasons. The USS Charlotte has been underwater for 80 years but is somehow devoid of rust, silt, barnacles, or organic matter. There’s a ludicrous explanation given that doesn’t hold water. The Last Breath isn’t a terrible film, but it is too uneven to recommend.
The Last Breath is a production of Anamorphic Media, Filmgate Films, and Freebie Films, et al. It is currently available on demand and in limited theatrical release from RLJE Films. You can watch it on digital platforms like YouTube, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango at Home, or on Prime Video through the link below:
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