Fourteen years after its last installment seemingly closed the book, the Final Destination franchise is resurrected with Final Destination: Bloodlines, released by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures on May 16, 2025. Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, with a screenplay by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor (from a story by Jon Watts, Busick, and Taylor), this sixth entry attempts to breathe new life into the well-trodden path of inevitable demise. Starring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Rya Kihlstedt, Brec Bassinger, and the late horror icon Tony Todd in his final appearance as the mysterious William Bludworth, the film ties its terrifying premonitions to a bloodline curse stemming from a disaster in 1968. Unlike previous films that focused on strangers or acquaintances, Bloodlines centers on a family facing Death's design, a twist that aims to add a new layer of emotional resonance to the series known for its elaborate and often gruesome accidental deaths. While the franchise's earlier installments like Final Destination 2 and 3 are often lauded for their memorable kills and escalating tension, Bloodlines seeks to balance the signature splatter with a more intimate, character-driven narrative.
Genre:Horror
Final Destination: Bloodlines arrives with the daunting task of revitalizing a series whose formula is as predictable as Death's list itself. After five films and a significant hiatus, the core concept – a premonition saves a group from a mass casualty event, only for Death to hunt them down in gruesome fashion – remains unchanged. Yet, Bloodlines attempts a compelling twist by making the cursed individuals not just random survivors, but members of the same family. This shift in focus, tracing the lineage of Death's targets back to a 1968 tower collapse, introduces a new dynamic where grief, guilt, and familial love intertwine with the familiar dread.
The film's opening sequence, set in a high-rise restaurant, is a notable departure from the highways, planes, and racetracks of past installments. It's described as unexpected, acrophobic, and terrifyingly elegant, setting a promising tone for the inventive demises to come. And indeed, Bloodlines delivers on the gore, with deaths that are brutal, bloody, and wild, eliciting winces, squirming, and nervous peeks through fingers. However, a common criticism is the heavy reliance on CGI, which some feel makes the kills feel "animated" and less impactful compared to the practical effects that made earlier deaths so disturbing and memorable. This trade-off for spectacle occasionally costs the film some of its bite.
The suspense, a cornerstone of the franchise, is hit or miss in Bloodlines. Previous films instilled fear in everyday objects, turning mundane scenarios like tanning beds or escalators into sources of terror. In contrast, some deaths here feel overly "engineered," requiring a convoluted chain of events that lessens the "this could happen to me" factor and feels more like a contrived "movie death".
Adding another layer of complexity, the film exhibits a peculiar tonal inconsistency. While firmly rooted in horror, it occasionally veers into goofy, almost comical territory that feels out of place. This tonal whiplash, attributed partly to the directors' background, results in some awkwardly placed or corny dialogue. Yet, within this unevenness, there are moments where the balance between drama and horror works effectively, allowing viewers to connect with the characters' grief, confusion, and desperation. A particular scene involving siblings is highlighted as genuinely moving.
Despite the narrative and tonal challenges, Bloodlines does offer some pleasantries for long-time fans. Subtle easter eggs and references to past films and premonitions are sprinkled throughout, serving as sweet, non-overbearing fan service that evokes a fearful smile. The return of Tony Todd as William Bludworth is also a notable inclusion, with his character receiving an unexpected spotlight and an emotional, poetic send-off that adds a poignant layer, especially in the wake of Todd's passing. Richard Harmon also receives praise for his standout performance, embracing a character with an over-the-top flair.
However, the film's pacing could be tighter. The first half is described as a slow burn, which might disappoint those expecting a rapid succession of deaths. The climax, too, is noted as feeling "mid" and not building to the expected edge-of-your-seat tension, fizzling rather than exploding. Visually, some aspects feel "off," occasionally resembling an 18+ TV show rather than a polished horror film, lacking the weight and gravity the series deserves.
Ultimately, Final Destination: Bloodlines is a flawed but often fun return for the franchise. While the CGI may cheapen some of the gore and the tone occasionally slips, the focus on family and the emotional weight of the deaths provide a beating heart beneath the chaos. It's not necessarily the scariest entry, but by making the stakes personal, it might be the most "human". It delivers the signature Rube Goldberg-style death traps and gore that fans crave while attempting to inject fresh energy into the formula after a long break. For those who appreciate the franchise's unique blend of terror and dark humor, Bloodlines is a worthwhile, albeit uneven, ride that proves Death still has some life left in it.