Last Breath (2025): Diving into the Frenzied Depths of a Shark-Thriller

If you’ve been searching for a new deep-sea suspense film to sink your teeth into, Last Breath (2025) might just fit the bill. This underwater escapade follows a group of determined—though sometimes questionably prepared—divers on a perilous mission into the wreck of a submerged WWII battleship. But the real menace isn’t just the rusting corridors. Naturally, a few predators are on the prowl, adding that signature adrenaline rush only a shark movie can deliver.

In this article, we explore whether Last Breath (2025) manages to capture the terror and triumph of deep-sea rescue, sift through what audiences are saying, and examine how it measures up within the long lineage of shark-themed cinema. If you’re curious about more details—like a movie summary, quizzes to flex your film knowledge, or direct links to other movie information providers—you’ll want to take a look at the film’s dedicated page on What’s After the Movie.

This article is also featured on our blog, part of What’s After the Movie, a movie database platform that compiles cast details, user quizzes, and opinions, and links to Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB, Metacritic, TMDB, or Letterboxd. Let’s dive in!

---

A Familiar Shark-Flick Setup—with a WWII Twist

Last Breath is largely set in the Caribbean, a region as famous for its crystal-clear waters as it is for frequently roaming sharks. Early in the film, we’re introduced to the USS Charlotte, a WWII battleship that sank decades ago under mysterious circumstances. Though many have searched for the ship without success, the film’s protagonists quickly stumble upon the wreck with surprising ease. This discovery sets into motion a chain of events that sees them diving deeper into unknown territory than is wise, testing their wits and resilience.

The story hinges on a group of old college friends who initially gather for some carefree fun and relaxation. Fascination with the newly unearthed WWII vessel soon takes over, however, and before long they’re prepping an underwater expedition to claim “bragging rights” for spotting the wreck first. By twisting the familiar open-water scenario into a claustrophobic, labyrinthine environment below decks, the film manages to intensify its drama. Instead of endless blue horizons, viewers get cramped corridors, precarious ladders, and collapsing metal. Whether or not this is a welcome change depends on how much you value unsettling, enclosed spaces over wide-open ocean fear.

---

Sharks in the Caribbean?

A recurring theme among viewers is the idea that the characters should never have been surprised to encounter sharks in these waters. Many regions in and around Florida, known as the shark-attack capital of the world, experience frequent sightings. Skeptics note that the film conveniently ignores this fact for dramatic effect, making some dialogue about “no sharks being here” feel jarring. If you can suspend disbelief, however, you’ll likely be drawn to the high-tension setup. At its heart, the film is a cinematic rollercoaster designed for thrills. It’s a survival story first and a fact-check second. Despite the geographic inconsistencies, the sense of danger remains potent enough to hook most shark-movie fans.

---

The Crew: Characters, Performances, and Personalities

Opinions on the ensemble cast range from enthusiastic support to mild disappointment. The narrative focuses on Noah (Jack Parr) and Sam (Kim Spearman), who share a complicated history. Noah, reluctantly complicit in the expedition, is driven by financial desperation; Sam, an aspiring medical professional, exhibits the most level-headed instincts in the group. Meanwhile, Brett (Alexander Arnold) is the wealthy wildcard who consistently pushes boundaries by leveraging his money to get what he wants, even at the expense of his friends’ safety.

Julian Sands portrays Levi, the weathered boat owner who co-discovered the USS Charlotte with Noah. Though he has less screen time, viewers appreciate Sands’ grounded presence and the film’s dedication to the actor. His performance underscores the idea that no matter how prepared or experienced you may be, open water can still be dangerously unpredictable. Secondary characters like Riley, Logan, and others fit into familiar horror archetypes—lending comedic relief, romantic tension, and the inevitable missteps that escalate the group’s predicament.

---

The Underwater Scenes: Setting, CGI, and Special Effects

One of the first questions viewers ask of any shark movie is: “Do the sharks look realistic?” Reaction here is mixed. Some praise the CGI for creating just enough realism in the dark corridors of the sunken warship, particularly since the filmmakers avoid excessive stock footage of real sharks. Others pick up on occasional inconsistencies, where the sharks seem to change in size or appear too conveniently aggressive or docile based on what the script demands.

A major selling point of Last Breath is its eerie atmosphere. Much of the action takes place in confined spaces, with rusted walls and low lighting generating claustrophobic dread. Blood in the water becomes doubly terrifying when there’s barely any room to dodge, and the labyrinthine layout of the battleship transforms every turn into a potential ambush. While some cinematic license is at play—sharks rarely stalk their prey through tight steel corridors—these fictional liberties succeed at keeping viewers on edge.

---

Strengths and Weaknesses

One of the film’s biggest strengths is the claustrophobic sense of horror it establishes. The concept of being trapped in tight, underwater corridors with limited oxygen is already nerve-racking, but toss in prowling sharks and every scene crackles with tension. On top of that, the cinematography includes murky shots of steel ladders, floating debris, and dimly lit passageways that reinforce how distant and perilous the surface truly is.

On the weaker side, some viewers find the plot’s logic a bit too shaky. The characters, for instance, are portrayed as certified divers who still make rookie mistakes, and their shock over sharks in these waters can feel exaggerated if you’re familiar with real Caribbean marine life. The sometimes-uneven CGI won’t bother casual shark-thriller fans but may irritate viewers who crave scientific accuracy and perfectly rendered effects. Character depth also fluctuates. While Sam and Noah’s motivations feel genuine, a couple of the friend-group dynamics are painted with broad, predictable strokes, leaving little room for nuance.

---

Reception Across Review Platforms

Last Breath (2025) has garnered a variety of opinions across major movie aggregator websites. On Metacritic, scores from both critics and audiences land in the middle range, reflecting a love-or-hate stance that’s common for shark-themed films. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, audience reactions vary between praising its claustrophobic suspense and critiquing what they see as another formulaic entry in the shark genre. The IMDB page captures a broad gamut of user ratings, with some fans calling the film “entertaining” while others dismiss it as “unrealistic.” You can find still more details and chatter on sites like TMDB, Wikipedia, JustWatch, Box Office Mojo, Movie Insider, and Letterboxd.

For the most part, audiences agree that while Last Breath may borrow familiar elements from earlier shark favorites, it stands above many of its low-budget counterparts by virtue of better effects and an engaging, if not always perfect, storyline. The current consensus is that it delivers enough frights and tension to please shark-film enthusiasts—provided they don’t mind the occasional logical leap.

---

My Personal Take

From my perspective, Last Breath (2025) offers a tense and entertaining ride for fans who enjoy claustrophobic underwater settings. The pairing of cramped corridors and hungry sharks creates a constant aura of danger, especially when the characters’ air supply is running out. While there are moments when characters’ decisions feel head-scratching—why not exercise more caution in a known shark habitat?—the film compensates with suspenseful sequences, frantic escapes, and just enough blood-churning visuals to keep viewers invested.

Julian Sands’ presence brings a heartfelt note, reminding us of his long-standing career and the sincerity he brought to even smaller, more commercial roles. Jack Parr and Kim Spearman are believable as the central duo, grappling with moral conflicts while literally fighting for every breath. Though the film doesn’t revolutionize the shark subgenre, it offers a well-rounded, atmospheric experience. Personally, I’d rate it around a 6.5 out of 10, with a recommendation for anyone looking for a new aquatic thriller that blends sunken-ship intrigue with toothy terror.

---

Final Thoughts

If you’re up for a fun, occasionally frustrating, but undeniably suspenseful shark flick, then Last Breath (2025) deserves a place on your watchlist. While it may not have the thematic depth of Jaws or the big-budget polish of The Meg, it keeps tensions high by confining its action to the unsettling corridors of a WWII warship beneath the waves. Characters and motivations sometimes fall into predictable patterns, but the sense of dread surrounding an isolated, oxygen-deprived environment is frequently riveting.

For even more insights—including movie summaries, quizzes, and direct links to other reviews—check out our dedicated page at What’s After the Movie. This article also appears on our blog, part of the What’s After the Movie network of movie resources, which provides a space for quizzes, fan discussions, and deeper dives into cinema. If you have thoughts on Last Breath, feel free to share them in the comments or join the broader community conversation on the site. Whether you end up enthralled or exasperated, you’ll likely never look at wreck diving the same way again.