“Last Breath” (2025) is based on the true story of a 2012 saturation diving accident in which the dynamics system processor of an underwater vessel failed, causing the diver Chris Lemons to spiral out of control. Lemons was separated from his fellow diver, David Yuasa after his umbilical cable was cut during the accident. Yuasa was left to assume that Lemons had perished, as he had only five minutes of breathable oxygen left in his suit at the time. However, his fellow diver Duncan Allcock, who was operating the deep sea exploration ship, was convinced that Lemons was still alive.
These events inspired the nonfiction filmmaker Alex Parkinson to make a documentary, also titled “Last Breath,” in 2019, which was composed of archive footage taken from inside the ship and retrospective interviews conducted with each of the divers. The new version of “Last Breath” is a fictional recreation of the same story; Finn Cole stars as Lemons, with Woody Harrelson as Allcock and Simu Liu as Yuasa. Bobby Rainsbury also has a supporting role as Morag, who is engaged to Chris before the expedition begins.
Last Breath (2025) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
What was the Mission in the Depths?
Before the mission, Allcock is informed by his superiors that this will be his last mission and that he will be retired in the aftermath. Although he is dismayed about giving up a part of his life that he seems to take genuine pleasure in, Allcock is able to keep up good spirits when he finds that he is paired with Lemons and David Yuasa. Yuasa is a tough, no-nonsense professional who is referred to as a “grump” by the rest of the crew, even though Allcock seems to enjoy making jokes with him. Although Yuasa is initially hesitant about bringing on a younger diver like Lemons, Allcock assures him that he is up for the task.
Lemons and Yuasa have different approaches based on their respective families. While Lemons reveals to the crew that he is going to be getting married shortly after they finish their mission (which is expected to take several months), Yuasa does not share any details about his family. Both men are put into pressurized suits as they go to operate on an underwater line, with Allcock managing the smaller vessel. Although they have occasional conflicts with “Bibby Topaz,” the support vessel above them in the North Sea, they are separated from receiving any significant assistance based on how deep they are in the water.
After Lemons’ umbilical cable is snapped, Yuasa and Allcock fear for his survival because the cable has provided him with the heliox that had been sending him oxygen. Although the team on the “Bibby Topaz” fear straying from their path because of the dangers that could threaten the entire ship, Allcock is unwavering in his insistence that Lemons is still alive. Although Lemons briefly retains consciousness as he is separated from the crew, he is knocked unconscious after his oxygen supply runs out.
What Happens to Chris Lemons?
Due to the mix of cold water and pressurized gas filtered through Lemons’ life-preserving suit, he was able to survive for 30 minutes after his oxygen system ran out. The “Bibby Topaz” failed to snag his suit using a portable cable, but the manual vessel was able to locate him thanks to the efforts by Allcock. As they reach their destination, Allcock tells Yuasa a powerful story about the first time he went diving with Lemons, and why he is so determined to bring him home safely. Yuasa is not able to stop thinking about a picture that Lemons had hung up near his bed of his fiancee, who he had promised that he would get home safely.
Yuasa is able to grab Lemons and bring him aboard the remote vehicle, leading Allcock to perform mouth-to-mouth on him. Although he quickly begins breathing again, Yuasa fears that he may have suffered serious brain damage. However, Lemons does retain consciousness and appears to not be harmed. The only notable effect on his health is that he does not seem to remember what happened during the crash. Yuasa and Allocock act quickly to bring him to the surface so that he can get medical attention. The crew of the “Bibby Topaz” breaks out into celebration, and the mission is ended early so that Lemons can be returned home. Allcock is able to take one last look at the ship before he steps out, but begins to speculate that this might not actually be the end of his work.
Yuasa shares a brief encounter with Lemons afterward in which he expresses happiness that the mission did not end in tragedy. Although he initially appears to still be masking his emotions, Yuasa reveals a picture of his two children, who he has been worried about for the entire trip. Lemons informs his fiancee that he is coming home early and later reunites with her outside their home. Initially, he only tells her that there was an accident in which a diver was nearly killed, but that the issue was resolved. However, she quickly deduces that he is talking about himself, leading to a powerful embrace.
Last Breath (2025) Movie Ending Explained:
What Did ”Last Breath” Not Show?
“Last Breath” ends by revealing through title cards that Lemons never experienced any significant health effects from the incident, and that he was able to return to regular work shortly thereafter. Although there have been theories that emerged regarding how the mixture of pressure allowed his suit to retain a life-supporting level of air, scientific studies have been unsuccessful in identifying a singular reason why he was able to survive for so long.
Also included within the film’s ending is archive footage of the real Lemons at his wedding, in which he thanks both Allcock and Yuasa, who are both in attendance, for saving his life. Nothing about the danger that he experiences dissuades him from his line of employment, as Lemons returns with Allcock and Yuasa less than three weeks later to continue the mission that they have been forced to abandon.
Allcock does make a few jokes about Lemons having screwed up the mission before, indicating that they have all begun to reckon with the incredible plight that they experienced together. Although all divers who remain in close quarters with each other for such extended amounts of time tend to develop emotional bonds, it is evident that Yuasa, Allcock, and Lemons will have a lifelong friendship that will extend beyond the end of their expeditions.
