by The Last Breath Review: The “sharksploitation” genre has faced challenges in delivering standout hits since the 2016 release of The Shallows. With films like The Black Demon and The Requin failing to make a splash, shark enthusiasts have been left with a sea of disappointing entries. Joachim Hedén, known for his underwater thrills in Breaking Surface (2020), seemed poised to make waves with The Last Breath. While the underwater cinematography is sharp and the claustrophobic tension of being trapped in a shipwreck is palpable, the film ultimately fails to rise above standard aquatic horror expectations.
The Last Breath (2024)
Horror
Thriller
In The Last Breath, British expat diver Levi is on a quest to locate the WWII battleship USS Charlotte. Joined by US college grad Noah and his friends, Levi leads a diving expedition in the Caribbean. Their adventure takes a perilous turn when they become trapped inside the wreckage, running out of air and facing the relentless menace of great white sharks.
Release Date
June 12, 2024
Director
Joachim Hedén
Cast
Julian Sands, Alexander Arnold, Jack Parr, Kim Spearman, Erin Mullen, Arlo Carter, Maxime Durand, William Erazo Fernández
Runtime
96 Minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Writers
Andrew Prendergast, Nick Saltrese
What Is The Last Breath About?
The film transports us to the pristine waters of the British Virgin Islands, where skipper Levi (Julian Sands) and diver Noah (Jack Parr) have discovered the sunken WWII wreck of the USS Charlotte. Protocol requires them to report the location to the authorities for inspection and mapping. On the same day, Noah’s friends—Wall Street executive Brett (Alexander Arnold), Riley (Erin Mullen), stoner Logan (Arlo Carter), and ex-girlfriend Sam (Kim Spearman)—arrive for a reunion. Noah reveals the Charlotte’s potential to wealthy Brett, leading to a $50k private tour arrangement. As they dive into the water, a great white shark traps them within the wreck’s steel interior.
Hedén’s film excels in creating authentic settings, primarily filming in the claustrophobic corridors of a naval cruiser. An initial 1940s flashback shows the USS Charlotte’s scale before an enemy torpedo devastates it, but the film then takes liberties. We never see the full grandeur of the Charlotte as we might with the Titanic. Instead, Saltrese explains through dialogue that tropical storms have revealed its upper entrance. The budget is focused on recreating the interior of the wreck rather than the exterior, creating an effective, albeit limited, environment. Compared to other VOD shark films that rely heavily on CGI, Hedén’s film scores points for its realistic locations.
The film’s characters, unfortunately, lack depth compared to the detailed settings. The drama feels overly melodramatic, from Noah and Sam’s clichéd romance to the irrational choices that jeopardize the group. Julian Sands stands out with his portrayal of an injured diver, but the rest of the cast, including Noah’s crew, mostly contribute to predictable plot points that only serve to attract the shark. Saltrese’s screenplay fails to create believable scenarios, forcing characters into nonsensical actions that inevitably lead to their demise.
The Last Breath Struggles With Both Sound and Performances
The film’s use of muffled scuba gear and odd ADR techniques detracts from the experience. Distortion filters attempt to mimic underwater communication, but the dialogue often sounds unnatural and strained. This issue is reminiscent of The Deep House, where underwater speaking also felt out of place. The cast’s lines sometimes resemble cartoonish dialogue, diminishing the tension. The film’s sharks, animated rather than realistic, also fall short of delivering a compelling visual spectacle. Unlike 47 Meters Down: Uncaged, which featured dynamic shark encounters, The Last Breath’s digital sharks often appear out of sync with the live-action scenes.
While the special effects team does a decent job with gore and blood, the film’s portrayal of the great white shark lacks impact. The Last Breath fails to distinguish itself from other mediocre shark films, suffering from clichéd elements and a lack of excitement. With Under Paris being the only standout fin flick of 2024 so far, The Last Breath feels like a missed opportunity, running on empty from the start.
