Common Sense Media Review
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Extreme sport doc about global free divers; language, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Deepest Breath
What's the Story?
In THE DEEPEST BREATH, the film closely chronicles the story of Italy's Alessia Zecchini, who strives to become the world's greatest woman free diver. Zecchini's hero is Natalia Molchanova, a Russian champion free diver who holds more than 40 free-diving records and is seen as a legend in the sport. Zecchini selects Stephen Keenan, a safety diver who observes the movements and saves the lives of free divers during competitions, to help her achieve her goal. Through archival footage and photos and firsthand interviews, the documentary shares the challenging journeys faced by Zecchini and free divers within the ocean.
Is It Any Good?
Irish filmmaker Laura McGann shares a profound perspective on the competitive global world of free diving. In the documentary The Deepest Breath, an Italian girl named Alessia Zecchini sets out to become the world's best free diver. "I'd do anything," she declares, "to make my dream come true." With plenty of practice and help from her dad, Zecchini is determined to make it all happen.
As an adult, Zecchini seeks professional instructions in free diving from Irish safety coach Stephen Keenan, who was once a kid with a passion for the wilderness, animals, and the sea. It's the latter interest that creates an extraordinary working bond between Keenan and Zecchini. "Their connection was very strong," says Enzo Zecchini, Alessia's dad. Alessia adds that the presence of Keenan "gave me strength" and "made you feel safe in the darkness," where exists an underwater world that may be filled with fierce competition from other free divers and lots of unknown depths within the sea. This film delivers to its viewers an educational and informative glance at the joys and startling risks involved in this oftentimes dangerous sport.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the communication of the cast in The Deepest Breath. How do they also demonstrate compassion, courage, perseverance, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Alessia Zecchini's dad, Enzo, accompanies her and provides support to his daughter at competitions. What might be the possible benefits for Alessia and Enzo?
Safety diver Stephen Keenan is Alessia Zecchini's coach. He's also someone who wasn't sure about what he wanted to do with his life. Is it important to have goals in life? Why, or why not?
Would you consider a career in the extreme sport of free diving? Why, or why not? What are the possible consequences involved in this activity?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : July 19, 2023
- Cast : Hanako Hirose , Stephen Keenan , Alessia Zecchini
- Director : Laura McGann
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some intense peril, unsettling images and language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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