The True Story Behind Last Breath

Yes, Last Breath is based on a true story—and not just loosely. The events shown in the film really happened in 2012 in the North Sea. It tells the terrifying experience of Chris Lemons, a saturation diver who nearly died 300 feet underwater. The movie, directed by Alex Parkinson, isn’t some fictional thriller. It’s a dramatic retelling of a real-life survival story that shocked the offshore diving industry.

Chris Lemons was working on underwater gas pipelines from a diving bell, alongside diver David Yuasa, while being supervised by Duncan Allcock. These jobs are done under intense conditions where the slightest mistake can be deadly. And that’s exactly what happened when the ship’s Dynamic Positioning System failed.

How Long Did Chris Lemons Survive Without Air?

This is the part that sounds unbelievable, but it’s completely true. After the DP system failed, the ship drifted. Lemons was pulled away by his umbilical, then it snapped. That umbilical carried his oxygen, hot water for body heat, and his communication line. In short, he lost everything in an instant—alone in the cold black sea.

He had a backup air tank, but it only had about 10 minutes of oxygen. Once that ran out, he had no air for almost 30 minutes. Most people would die after just a few minutes without oxygen. But somehow, Chris survived for nearly half an hour. When the team finally got to him, he had stopped breathing. He was unconscious and had no pulse.

Did Chris Survive the Dive?

Yes, Chris Lemons survived. Incredibly. The crew rushed him back into the diving bell and began CPR. At first, there were no signs of life. But after a few more moments, he started breathing again. And here’s the wildest part: he had zero brain damage. No permanent injuries. Three weeks later, he went back to work. That’s right—three weeks after being clinically dead underwater, he was back diving again.

Doctors say the extreme cold might have helped preserve his brain. But still, it’s a one-in-a-million kind of survival.

How Much of Last Breath is Real?

A lot. The film sticks closely to real events. While some dramatic moments may be shaped for storytelling, the main facts remain untouched. The rescue, the blackout, the long time without oxygen—it’s all from the real accident. The filmmakers even included actual underwater footage from the rescue. You can actually see Lemons’ body shaking as he loses consciousness on the ocean floor. That’s not a CGI effect. That’s real.

The movie is actually a fictional remake of the 2019 documentary, also called Last Breath, made by the same director, Alex Parkinson. The newer 2025 version adds big names like Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole, who plays Chris Lemons.

Who’s in the Movie?

Finn Cole as Chris Lemons
Woody Harrelson as Duncan Allcock
Simu Liu as David Yuasa
Cliff Curtis as Captain Andre Jenson
Plus MyAnna Buring, Josef Altin, and others

These actors take on real people who were part of the actual event. This isn’t a made-up disaster movie—it’s something that happened, and Last Breath works hard to stay true to that.

More About the Movie’s Production

Director: Alex Parkinson
Writers: Mitchell LaFortune, Alex Parkinson, David Brooks
Cinematography: Nick Remy Matthews; underwater DP Ian Seabrook
Editing: Tania Goding
Music: Paul Leonard‑Morgan
Production Companies: Longshot Films, Gold Circle Films, Dark Castle Entertainment, and more
USA Distributor: Focus Features

It was shot partly onboard the real Bibby Topaz ship, in the actual North Sea. Other scenes were filmed in Malta and Scotland. The filmmakers didn’t cut corners. They recreated the terrifying environment as closely as possible.

How Real is the Story?

From a fact-checking point of view, Last Breath gets most things right:

Yes, Chris Lemons really lost his umbilical at around 300 feet deep.
Yes, the ship’s positioning system did fail.
Yes, he lost all oxygen after 10 minutes.
Yes, he spent about 30 minutes without breathing.
Yes, real ROV camera footage was used in the movie.
Yes, he survived and returned to diving work just weeks later.

So when people ask “How much of Last Breath is real?”, the answer is: almost all of it.

Was There Any Hollywood Drama Added?

Sure, like most true-story films, some moments are dramatized to keep the audience on edge. That said, nothing essential was changed. The movie didn’t need to exaggerate. The actual event was already shocking enough. If anything, some parts were probably softened to avoid being too disturbing.

Even reviews from critics at The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Entertainment Weekly agree: the film is gripping, emotional, and grounded in fact.

Box Office and Release Info

Release Date: February 28, 2025 (USA, Canada, UK)
Runtime: 93 minutes
Budget: $23.8 million
Opening Weekend (US & Canada): $7.85 million
Worldwide Gross: $23.2 million

Despite the emotional power of the story, the movie made just a bit less than its budget. But word of mouth and strong reviews are keeping it in conversation.

Why Did Last Breath Hit So Hard with Viewers?

Because it’s not just a story about survival. It’s about trust, teamwork, and how trained professionals stay calm when everything goes wrong. It shows how even a lifeline as thin as a hose is the only thing between life and death. And it shows that sometimes, even when all hope is gone, people still come back.

Also, it doesn’t feel fake. You can feel the cold, the darkness, the panic, and the desperation. The actors don’t overdo it. The direction keeps it simple. And the actual ROV footage brings it home.

Where Can You Learn More?

If you want the full story with real footage, go watch the 2019 documentary Last Breath, which is available on many streaming platforms. It includes interviews with Chris Lemons himself and the people who helped save him.

And if you’re searching for more truth-based movie facts, visit IsTrueStory.com. You’ll find out which movies are based on real events, what really happened, and which details Hollywood may have stretched. Use it to answer questions like: Is story true? or Find story facts. It’s your go-to place for the truth behind movies.

ٖFinal Words:

Yes, Last Breath is a true story. Chris Lemons really did spend 30 minutes without air on the bottom of the North Sea and lived to tell the tale. The film gets the facts right, uses real footage, and respects the people involved. So the next time someone asks you, “Did Chris survive the dive?”, you can tell them: Yes, he did—and it’s one of the most unbelievable real-life stories ever put on film.