Is ‘Last Seen Alive’ Based on a True Story?

By Raven Brunner @raventbrunner
Published Oct. 5, 2022, 5:04 p.m. ET

More On:

Gerard Butler

What does an innocent man do when he becomes the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance? He goes on the run, of course. That’s exactly what happens in the 2022 action-thriller Last Seen Alive, which is currently the #1 trending movie in the United States on Netflix, out-performing the streamer’s new originals Blonde and Lou.

Along with Inheritance, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Rush Hour, Robin Hood, and Land of the Lost, this film is an older release that is newly capturing the attention of the Netflix audience. Last Seen Alive was added to the streamer on October 1, 2022 and stars Gerard Butler, Jaimie Alexander, Russell Hornsby, and Ethan Embry.

Given that we’re in the age of true crime, many viewers were left wondering: Is Last Seen Alive based on a true story? Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about the film and its origins.

What is Last Seen Alive about?

Last Seen Alive starts with Will Spann (Butler) taking his wife Lisa (Alexander) to stay with her parents, following their recent separation. After a brief stop at a gas station, Lisa goes missing. When Will turns to the local authorities, he becomes a prime suspect which leads him to launch his own investigation.

Is Last Seen Alive Based on a True Story?

No, Last Seen Alive is not based on a true story – nor is it based on the novel with the same name by Claire Douglass. The film has an original script by Marc Frydman; however it shares a few notable qualities with films in the same genre. Films like the 1958 classic Touch of Evil and the action film Die Hard both deal with men seeking to rescue their missing wives, and the 1988 thriller The Vanishing features a man whose girlfriend goes missing at a gas station.

When did Last Seen Alive come out?

Last Seen Alive was released in U.S. theaters on June 3, 2022, before being added to Netflix on October 1, 2022. The film premiered to poor critical reception and currently has a lousy 10% approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes, with many citing the film’s generic nature. And that’s a true story!