Last Breath and Surviving Torture: A Movie Review

Director/writer: Ty Jones.

Ty Jones has written, directed, and starred in the Ministry Machine Production Last Breath, which won an Audience Choice Best Feature at the Omaha Film Festival. Ministry is also already working on another environmental horror film entitled Nailbiter, which is in pre-production. Last Breath is an excellent independent horror and fantasy film from Philadelphia, which puts a young couple in dire circumstances to heal hurts from the past. A cheating husband is shown the path to redemption in a film that crosses genres, while appealing to both genders, despite several disturbing scenes of psychological and physical torture.

Michael Johnson (Ty Jones) is a father of one, a semi-devout husband and a sales agent for a construction company. Failing in the sexual loyalty area of his relationship, Michael succumbs to the beauty of a company secretary and pays for this indiscretion with much torturous pain later in the film. Michael's wife Tina (Mandy Bannon), who is a part-time alcoholic, also suffers a similar cruel result at the hands of a mysterious stranger, while coming to terms with the value of respect and the power of maternity. However, can both characters resolve past mistakes before a long blade intervenes in their hope for a tomorrow?

Creating a horror picture that is receptive to female audiences is not an easy endeavour; yet, some of the issues like revitalizing love in a dying relationship, becoming a better more responsive mother, and outwitting a much larger adversary are sure to satisfy some women with a preference for darker cinema. Also, Last Breath is not simply a horror film, however, as fantasy and even science fiction elements enter this cinematic endeavour, especially with the introduction of the reality bending character Caleb (Alex Neustaedter). Can their damaged son, Caleb, offer a message to save Tina and Michael's life?

Many people must be shown death, or the possibility of death to change self-destructive ways and this is Last Breath's central message for audiences. Dire circumstances also have the ability to make one cherish life and Jones' story, by using torture and bloody devices, gives the characters and audiences an opportunity to see the error in dismissing others while showing the value of life. The wider vision and greater message of Jones' feature comes through and Last Breath is really a story about second chances.

Last Breath is a film about psychological, or physical torture and a chance at salvation. This film is currently seeking distribution, with a recent showing at Dances with Films (June 8th). Also, described as "a highly-professional, taut mystery-thriller," (EReview) Last Breath will continue with a festival run with distribution hopefully coming very soon. Visit the film's fan site below if you have an interest in the bloodier, crueler aspects of male/female relationships, with Last Breath offering hope through torture and change.


Writing/story/plot: 7 (some hints early on to the identity of the killer would have been welcomed, the denouement comes a bit out of left field).
Setting/realistic/importance to story 6.75 (a confining set invites torture while the central set appears hellish with very little need for set dressing).
Acting/characters/action/interaction: 7 (these are well-rounded characters with very human issues and failings, the antagonist is dark and foreboding - Aaron Laue)

Overall: 6.85 out of 10 (a little more stalking and tension is necessary to put this film completely over the edge).

The Last Breath fan site on Facebook:

Last Breath on FB

The film's homepage:

Last Breath Official Website

Last Breath at the Ministry Machine Production website:

Last Breath at the Production Company's Website

A Last Breath review at EReview:

Last Breath at EReview

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