Last Days Review: Justin Lin’s New True Story Drama Is a Rare Disaster

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The movie Last Days tries to depict the real story of a young missionary’s dangerous trip to North Sentinel Island, where an isolated tribe lives and is known for being unwelcoming to visitors. Despite being directed by Justin Lin and written by Ben Ripley, the film doesn’t successfully tell the story and leaves most viewers feeling confused and unsatisfied, with no clear message or takeaway.

The movie tells the story of John Allen Chau, a 26-year-old who undertakes a risky and unlawful trip, believing God has called him to share his beliefs. He travels around the world with the goal of reaching the isolated Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island, in what is known as a highly dangerous missionary effort. Meanwhile, an Indian detective (Radhika Apte) from the Andaman Islands tries to intercept him, fearing for both his safety and the well-being of the tribe.

Last Days Lacks Direction

The acting throughout the film feels flat and unconvincing, often appearing forced or exaggerated. It’s hard to say whether this is due to the direction, the script, or the actors themselves. The scenes with Chau and his parents are particularly awkward, lacking believable connection and feeling disjointed. However, Radhika Apte delivers a standout performance, portraying her character’s emotions with genuine strength and drawing the audience into her story.

Last Days Fails to Deliver Any Message

The story quickly moves past John Chau’s background and offers little insight into the Sentinelese people themselves. They’re simply portrayed as a frightening, isolated tribe living on an island in the Bay of Bengal. We don’t learn much about their history, culture, or the reasons behind their choice to avoid contact with the outside world. The narrative relies on a couple of characters – one who wants to protect them, and another who is an expert on the subject – to voice concerns about Chau’s actions. By not exploring the Sentinelese’s point of view, the story downplays the potential harm Chau could have inflicted on their community.

Last Days Ultimately Amounts To Nothing

The film, which is meant to focus on John Chau and the Sentinelese people, surprisingly centers more on the detective, Apte, and her attempts to find Chau before he reaches the island. It’s ironic that her storyline is actually more interesting and easier to understand than Chau’s journey. Viewers often feel a sense of relief when the focus shifts to her, as her scenes provide a clear and consistent setting. Unfortunately, even her story doesn’t have a satisfying ending, leaving her fate and motivations unresolved.

Many viewers consider the ending of Last Days to be one of the most disappointing in recent film. Even though the audience knows what will happen to Chau, the actual conclusion feels surprisingly anticlimactic given the story’s intense build-up. It’s frustrating and unsatisfying, leaving the impression that the entire movie led to nowhere. The initial encounter with the Sentinelese tribe is far more engaging and carefully crafted than the film’s lackluster ending, and many will likely be left wondering if that’s all there is.

Despite having an interesting story at its core, Last Days is a disappointing and directionless film that’s easy to skip, even for those familiar with the events it portrays. If you’re looking for a more insightful look at the same story, the 2023 National Geographic documentary, The Mission, provides a detailed account of the missionary journey. Lin’s film unfortunately takes a compelling true story and turns it into a dull, confusing, and ultimately pointless experience.

Last Days is in theaters on October 24.

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2025-10-23 05:39