Watch The Last Descent

The Last Descent is a 2016 drama thriller film directed by Isaac Halasima. The movie is based on the true story of the Nutty Putty Cave tragedy that happened in 2009 in Utah, where a young man became trapped underground in a cave. The film depicts the events leading up to and including the rescue operations. The movie introduces John Jones (Chadwick Hopson), a young medical student who is described as a perfectionist and deeply religious. Jones is married to Emily (Alexis Johnson), and they both share a love for adventure and the outdoors. Jones is an experienced caver who has been exploring Utah's caves for years, and he has his sights set on the Nutty Putty Cave, a cave system known for its tight passages and tricky obstacles.

Jones tells his wife about his plans to explore the Nutty Putty Cave, and she is hesitant about the idea, given the cave's notorious reputation. However, Jones is determined to make the expedition and assures her that he will be back in time for Thanksgiving dinner with their family.

Jones sets out with his brother, Josh (Landon Henneman), and a group of friends to explore the cave. The group consists of several experienced cavers and a few novices, including a young girl who is excited to explore her first cave. The movie follows the group as they crawl through tight passages, rappel down vertical drops, and squeeze through narrow openings.

As the group explores the cave, Jones crawls through a tight passage and gets stuck upside down. Jones is unable to move, and his situation becomes progressively worse as he runs out of air and begins to feel the effects of hypothermia. The group tries to rescue him, but they are unable to move him from his position.

The movie then shifts focus onto the rescue operation to save Jones. The efforts to rescue him are led by James (Jason Celaya), an experienced cave rescuer who has worked on previous cave rescue missions. James is joined by a team of other rescuers, and they work tirelessly to try and extract Jones from the cave.

The rescue operation takes place over several days, with various attempts being made to extract Jones from the tight passage. Jones' family and friends anxiously wait outside the cave, hoping for good news. The movie depicts the tension and emotions that come with this kind of rescue operation, as well as the physical and mental stress that the rescuers experience.

Throughout the rescue operation, the movie shows flashbacks of Jones' life, including his relationship with his wife, his religious beliefs, and his love for caving. The flashbacks humanize Jones and provide insight into his character, making the audience more invested in his rescue.

The Last Descent is a tense and emotional film that captures the danger and unpredictability of cave exploration. The movie also highlights the bravery and dedication of rescuers who put their own lives on the line to save others. The performances by the actors, particularly Hopson, are convincing and bring the characters to life. The movie's direction and cinematography excel in capturing the claustrophobic and perilous nature of cave exploration.

Overall, The Last Descent is a gripping film that portrays a terrifying true-life event that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Last Descent is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.