Terry is a legendary figure, American veteran, and the first man to ride a giant manta ray. For two decades, he shared an extraordinary bond with Willy, a two-ton manta who welcomed him into the deep. Now, after a brutal manta massacre, Terry embarks on one final mission to a remote island, hoping to reunite with his lost companion.
In The Last Ride, director Cody Sheehy delivers an deep dive (pun intended) into friendship, redemption, and the natural world, told through the lens of one man’s extraordinary bond with a creature of the deep. Set primarily in the azure waters off Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands, the film chronicles the life of Terry Kennedy, an ex-Hells Angel and Vietnam veteran whose lifelong transformation began with an unexpected friendship—with a giant Pacific manta ray named Willy.
Terry’s backstory reads like a screenplay that couldn’t be fiction. A rebellious youth, early diving experiences at extreme depths, war service, and a stint in prison make up only the beginning. Add to that his ownership of a raucous Santa Monica bar frequented by rock legends, and it's clear this is no ordinary conservationist. Yet it is precisely this colourful past that makes his emotional vulnerability so affecting. When Terry speaks about Willy, it is not with scientific detachment, but with the tender grief of a man who misses a friend.
At its core, The Last Ride is an exploration of an interspecies connection that defies scientific explanation. The documentary avoids sensationalism, instead offering understated, heartfelt testimony from Terry and those who knew him. Archival footage shows Willy approaching Terry with unmistakable intention—nudging the boat, circling him in open water, and even carrying him on his back. These moments, filmed decades ago, retain a hypnotic power. Despite the grain of old film, viewers are transported into a realm of stillness and grace, where the usual rules of human-animal interaction seem momentarily suspended.
One of the film’s most compelling threads is the scientific ripple effect sparked by Terry and Willy’s connection. Initially met with scepticism, the footage helped secure funding for Dr. Bob Rubin’s early research into manta ray behaviour. That research became the foundation of a now thriving scientific discipline that tracks individual manta rays, many of which still carry the names Terry gave them. Yet Terry’s role extended beyond naming. His deep familiarity with the rays and their habitat informed early understanding of their social behaviour and range.
The Last Ride is not just a retrospective—it is also a swansong. Now in his eighties, Terry sets out on one final voyage, hoping to reunite with Willy. Supported by old friends and a film crew, the trip is framed as a dying wish. These sequences add a layer of poignancy, not just because of Terry’s frailty, but because the marine park no longer allows interaction with mantas. What was once a symbol of harmony is now prohibited, a reminder of how conservation practices have matured over time.
This evolution is presented with nuance. The film does not vilify the past, nor does it glorify it. Instead, it asks viewers to consider how relationships with the natural world are complex, contextual, and constantly evolving. Terry’s early interactions with Willy—though hands-on—stemmed from a place of awe, not exploitation. His legacy lies not just in what he did, but in how those actions helped build awareness and protection for a species once poorly understood.
Visually, The Last Ride is stunning. The underwater footage, both archival and contemporary, captures the serene beauty of manta rays in their natural habitat. Their massive wings glide effortlessly through the water, their presence both calming and commanding. Combined with a sparse and meditative soundtrack, these sequences evoke the quiet majesty of the ocean—its depths, its silences, and its secrets.
What makes the documentary especially affecting is Terry himself. His rough edges, frank storytelling, and deep emotion form the emotional spine of the film. There is no polish, no performance—just an aging man remembering a friendship that transcended language and species. In one unforgettable moment, Terry admits he wonders if Willy is still waiting for him, perhaps thinking he’s been forgotten. It’s a moment of raw humanity that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
The Last Ride is not just a story about a man and a manta. It is a story about change—personal change, environmental change, and the evolving understanding of how humans relate to the wild. It reminds us that while science can measure, explain, and categorise, there are still experiences that elude definition. Sometimes, all we can do is bear witness.
Poetic, emotional, and quietly revolutionary, The Last Ride is a tribute to both the power of the natural world and the redemptive possibilities of human connection. It leaves you not just thinking, but feeling—and perhaps, yearning to look at the ocean with new eyes.
Directed by Cody Sheehy | 88 mins | United States | English | International Premiere – Tides of Change Category
Screening at the Doc Edge documentary festival, in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and online from 25 June.