Movie Review - Final Destination: Bloodlines

Director: Zach Lipovsky, Adam B. Stein
Genre: Horror
Runtime: 110 minutes
Year: 2025
Starring: Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Rya Kihlstedt, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Alex Zahara, April Telek, Tinpo Lee, Tony Todd, Brec Bassinger, Gabrielle Rose
 
Description: Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) returns from college to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that inevitably awaits them.
 
Review: It has been almost fifteen years since the last “Final Destination” film was released. Part five nicely rounded off the series with a surprise ending. But in true Hollywood tradition, no franchise is dead as long as people are still interested. That brings us to the legacy sequel: “Final Destination: Bloodlines”.

The formula is simple: someone foresees a fatal disaster, manages to escape fate, and saves themselves and others from it. Because Death cannot be fooled, they eventually still die in gruesome ways.

The first film in the series is from 2000. This was a great film. And it has some enjoyable sequels. I only remember absolutely nothing about the fourth movie. These films have never been praised for their high quality. Their appeal lies in the gore and creative ways in which the characters die. But that doesn’t mean it’s superficial nonsense. Behind the setting, structure, and climax of each death is a clear and effective vision.

Until now, each part has faithfully followed this fixed formula. That’s exactly why it’s a pleasant surprise that “Final Destination: Bloodlines” dares to play with it. The film does not open in the present, but in the 1950s. Iris and her boyfriend Payl go to the opening of the Sky View Tower, which ends in a major disaster. When Iris dies, you expect her to wake up from the vision, as usual. But that does not happen. Iris is not the main character, it’s her granddaughter Stefani.

Stefani has been having the same nightmare about the collapsing Sky View Tower for months. She suspects her grandmother can explain more, and it turns out that because her grandmother should not have survived the incident, Stefani and her relatives are also on Death’s list.

“Final Destinations: Bloodlines” breathes new life into the franchise. And again comes up with some really creative ways to kill of its characters. In terms of plot, acting and other cinematic elements, this film has little to offer.

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this film and it’s actually a great addition to the franchise.

Rating: 3,5/ 5