THE STORY – Terry Kennedy, an ex-Hell’s Angel, once formed an unlikely bond with a giant manta ray named Willy. Now he makes one final dive expedition to a remote island, hoping to reunite with his extraordinary ocean friend.
THE CAST – Terry Kennedy, Joyce Clinton, Robert Rubin, Mike McGettigan, Dawn Wilson & Dan Fitzgerald
THE TEAM – Cody Sheehy (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 88 Minutes
The wonders of the ocean will always attract an audience. Sometimes, this fascination leads to stunning underwater expeditions that only inquisitive explorers can capture. Explorers such as Jacques Cousteau, whose documentaries throughout the 1960s and 70s inspired generations to respect and protect the environment. Cousteau’s work has also inspired one of the most passionate adventurers we all know: James Cameron, who developed a lifelong pursuit of documenting deep-sea exploration well before making 1989’s “The Abyss.”
Sometimes, however, this fascination leads to documentaries like the Oscar-winning “My Octopus Teacher,“ which undermines the complexities of a sea creature and uses an emotional human connection as bait. For every documentary that highlights the intrigue of the natural world, whether through an animal’s physiology or unique behavior pattern, there is one that underestimates viewers’ capacity to find the animal’s perspective engaging. The human experience gets prioritized for the sake of creating an empathetic story arc. “The Last Dive“ falls somewhere in between these areas of fascination. The film respects the emotionality of a decades-long bond between a former Hells Angel and a 22-foot manta ray. However, it falls short of exploring what makes the connection so extraordinary in the context of both oceanic and human existence.
Directed by Cody Sheehy and produced by Mark Monroe (whose new documentary “Titan: The OceanGate Disaster“ is about to be released on Netflix), “The Last Dive“ follows a highly unique reunion story. Terry Kennedy, the first human to ever ride a giant manta ray (a practice no longer permitted), first encountered the creature while diving in the remote Revillagigedo Islands in Mexico in the 1980s. Every year since, Terry has made a point to see this beautiful animal, which he named Willy. Over nineteen years, Willy has recognized Terry’s boat and slapped its wings against the hull as though showing a readiness to make contact. The two embarked on various ocean dives until one year when Willy disappeared, and Terry never got the opportunity to say goodbye. Now in his 80s and reflecting on his legacy, Terry heads to San Benedicto Island for one final dive expedition, hoping to fulfill his dying wish and reunite with Willy one last time.
Everyone who knows Terry Kennedy, from fellow diver Dan Fitzgerald to underwater photographer Johnny Friday, has a wildly different story to offer. In addition to being regarded as one of the best divers in Mexico, Terry lived several lives, ranging from former Navy Seal, Hells Angel, model, and convicted felon. The film’s introduction features a whirlwind montage of footage from Terry’s past, juxtaposed with present-day interview footage of Terry at a bar. The interview suggests some revelatory material to be explored, as there are certain subjects related to his time in Vietnam and later prison that he refuses to elaborate on. Ultimately, the interview footage conveys a chapter of disillusionment in his life, where he decided to leave the Hells Angels and travel to Mexico without looking back.
Using mid-80s archival footage from the Sea of Cortez and featuring memories from Terry’s ex-girlfriend Joyce Clinton, the film focuses on Terry’s expedition to San Benedicto Island and how this trip brings back memories of diving. Unable to now travel alone due to his age, he embarks on the search for Willy with a team of divers. Their journey provides some beautiful underwater footage of the ocean and its mysterious creatures, including Chevy, another manta ray Terry had encountered and given a name to many years ago. One can discern from Terry’s descriptions of the manta rays how intelligent and enduring these animals are; they are one of few species who have proven self-recognition by their ability to pass the mirror test. The archival footage doesn’t just show the beauty of these animals. The film also touches on the value of this footage, as it emerged during a time of underfunded manta ray research. It helped create the first scientific studies of the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray, as well as America’s largest marine reserve in 2017.
After a certain point, it becomes clear that “The Last Dive“ operates less as a deep exploration of friendship and more as a surface-level highlight reel of human accomplishment. The film misses an opportunity to focus on the rarity of Terry and Willy’s bond. The constant mix of archival and present-day ocean footage, while immersive at times, can also be repetitive to watch. One sequence in the film cuts to the same distressing footage of animal violence on several occasions, neglecting the impact this footage has on one viewing. The overall repetitiveness is felt mostly during Terry’s present-day expedition, which makes for monotonous storytelling. Despite a series of quick editing shots to suggest otherwise, “The Last Dive“ moves at a glacial pace.
Additionally, Cody Sheehy covers a breadth of subject matter while doing little to interrogate or engage with it on a deeper level. The film demonstrates a form of interaction between humans and manta rays that is no longer permitted; this can spark meaningful discussion about the impact of diving on the overall behaviors of the species. However, the intentional focus on what the manta ray means to Terry leaves less room to explore the animal’s species in greater detail. The film also glosses over compelling conversations about manta ray tourism and the expansion of the fishing industry in the Gulf of California. The involvement of Mike McGettigan, a fisherman turned conservationist, sheds some light on the impact of Terry’s connection to manta rays on reporting the activities of commercial fishing. It is in these moments that the subject gets reduced to a brief segment in the film and lacks a nuanced perspective.
The film’s greatest strength lies in how the narrative structure builds anticipation for a reunion with Terry and Willy. By counting down the days of the expedition, the film creates some tension as to whether Terry can have emotional closure. It’s evident from his interview how close this manta ray has brought him to a pursuit of happiness and how much emotional weight he places on this connection. As Terry states, he doesn’t trust people. He likes animals better, to the point where he will travel to great lengths to see Willy again. There’s a resonating story here about newfound purpose and the universal feeling of not wanting to be forgotten. However, the emotional impact becomes lost in a rather dull, repetitive presentation that explores its subjects on a surface level.
