2025 has been a massive year for horror so far! With films like Sinners, which has just sunk its fangs into a streaming date, 28 Years Later (now in theaters), and Final Destination: Bloodlines absolutely crushing it at the box office. Today, we’re diving deep into the latter – and just a heads up, this review contains spoilers!
Final Destination: Bloodlines promised a return to the franchise’s core elements, exploring the intricate and often bizarre rules of Death’s design. It aimed to “take audiences back to the very beginning,” delving further into the series’ terrifying and complex mythology. And let me tell you, this latest chapter in New Line Cinema’s bloody saga truly transports you back to what makes Final Destination great.
The film centers on Stefanie (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), a college student suddenly plagued by recurring and deeply disturbing nightmares. Desperate to break the cycle closing in on her and her family, she journeys back to her hometown to seek out the one person who might hold the key: her grandmother, Iris.
An Amazing Cast, Especially the Departing Legend
Final Destination: Bloodlines boasts a talented cast ready to face the grim reaper’s plans, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game), Teo Briones (Chucky), Richard Harmon (The 100), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms), Anna Lore (They/Them), and Brec Bassinger (Stargirl).
While everyone did a fantastic job, Juana’s Stefanie and Harmon’s Eric stood out. Stefanie is a relatable character; you truly feel her fear and trauma, making her easy to empathize with. Eric, despite being a bit of an asshole, was incredibly fun to watch!
And then there’s the iconic Tony Todd. Seeing him so frail was heartbreaking, and knowing this is his final role hit me hard, especially during his goodbye scene. For those who don’t know, the final seconds of his last scene were reportedly ad-libbed. The director asked Todd to say what he would want to say to his fans, his farewell. And it’s simply heart-wrenching. This incredible actor will truly be missed.
Behind the Camera: Fresh Kills and Homages
Adam Stein and Zach Lipovsky (Freaks) direct from the screenplay crafted by Guy Busick (Scream revival) and Lori Evans Taylor (Cellar Door). Jon Watts (Spider-Man trilogy) conceived the initial story alongside Busick and Taylor, building on the characters created by Jeffrey Reddick.
The directors did a fantastic job of capturing the franchise’s je ne sais quoi and honoring its legacy, while also adhering to the rules of Death’s design. They managed to bring a fresh story and, most importantly, new, awesome kills! From the lawnmower scene to the epic moment where Brec Bassinger’s character has her premonition at the top of the Skyview, the deaths were spectacular.
However, my absolute favorite had to be Harmon’s MRI death. As someone with multiple piercings who’s been in an MRI, watching them get ripped out one by one was utterly terrifying. I caught myself putting my hands over my jewelry and cringing hard! Seeing him folded like a piece of paper was both brutal and fantastic. Plus, his fake-out chain scene death was a clever twist!
The ending of the movie, when Stefanie and Charlie realize she didn’t actually die in the water and they were instead smashed by logs (a nice homage to Final Destination 2), felt like the perfect, grim conclusion.
Tramatized All Over Again
Usually, a movie with this kind of buzz falls short of expectations, often leaving me disappointed. However, Final Destination: Bloodlines is not one of them. I absolutely loved it. In my opinion, it’s the best installment since the original! It’s poised to traumatize a whole new generation in the best possible way.
If you haven’t watched it yet or want to rewatch it, you’re in luck: it’s out now on VOD and demand, including on Prime Video, where you can watch the entire franchise. Go check it out!
