LAST Breath is really going to test the limits for those of you who suffer from claustrophobia, but this survival thriller, based on a true story, is well worth checking out.
A fictional retelling of the same story that director Alex Parkinson had already covered in his 2019 documentary of the same name, the story follows a trio of deep-sea divers played by Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu and Finn Cole.
When a serious malfunction on their vessel causes diver Chris Lemons (Cole) to be stranded in a submerged diving bell without heat, power and only 10 minutes of oxygen, the rest of his team must fight the clock to return to his position before it’s too late.
Strong performances bolster a tight, suspenseful script and great cinematography which has been informed by real footage of the actual 2012 incident.
2025 may just be remembered as a bumper year for horror films, with Clown in a Cornfield the latest release to distinguish itself in the genre.
Based on a YA Horror novel by Adam Cesare, this adaptation comes from director Eli Craig (Tucker & Dale Vs Evil) and stars a cast of pretty 20-somethings (playing pretty teenagers) game for a lot of running, and willing to play up gruesome death scenes.
When Quinn (Katie Douglas) comes to the small rural town of Kettle Springs, her GP father hopes to spend time grieving the death of her mother.
Unfortunately, during the Founders Day celebration, the town’s mascot – “Friendo the Clown” – begins killing the vapid and YouTube obsessed youth of the town.
Fairly standard slasher fare in many respects, the film is elevated a little with a fair dose of genuine wit and some insightful observations about generational divisions.
Aussie indie drama With or Without You will find a limited release this week.
From writer/director Kelly Schilling the film stars Melina Vidler as a young woman beset by the difficulties of looking after her alcoholic mother (played by Marta Dusseldorp).
A chance encounter with a backpacker looking for a ride (Albert Mwangi) sets the stage for a road trip that will test and ultimately cement the bonds of love between them.
A Gilded Game is a Chinese thriller set in the world of high finance, starring screen legend Tony Lau and directed by Herman Yau.
Treading similar ground to throwback dramas like Wall Street, this film sees an elder financial markets expert (Lau) take under his wing an eager and driven intern (Oho Ou) to guide him through the cutthroat corporate jungle, and to see if he has what it takes to thrive.
Of course questionable business practices, ethically dubious decisions, deceit and coercion are part of the system and the impressionable intern must wrestle with his conscience, and whether it has a place in the world he wants to inhabit.
By Lindsay HALL
