‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ Review: A Silly But Satisfyingly Homicidal Series Of Unfortunate Events

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In simpler terms, similar to how the most popular “Final Destination” movies are a mix of being eerie yet amusing, the movie “Final Destination Bloodlines,” directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, also manages to keep this balance effectively, just like other installments in the series.

14 years following “Final Destination 5,” which seemed to round off the horror series, Lipovsky and Stein cleverly broaden the narrative to encompass a linked universe where Death persistently tries to claim victims from various generations. A fitting and somber goodbye to the late Tony Todd’s character William Bludworth adds depth to the series’ dark themes, while a group of entertaining, generally likable characters in their 20s keep the story lively, contrasting with the filmmakers’ creatively gruesome deaths.

Each night, I find myself haunted by recurring dreams featuring my grandmother Iris (portrayed by Brec Bassinger in the past and Gabrielle Rose in the present). In these dreams, she perishes during the opening of a structure reminiscent of the Space Needle from the 1960s. This relentless insomnia has begun to take a toll on my once promising academic journey. Feeling compelled to uncover the truth, I decide to abandon college temporarily and delve into my family’s past.

My divorced parents warn me against digging too deeply into our troubled history for answers, but I refuse to be deterred. I manage to reconnect with my estranged grandmother and learn about a chilling conspiracy that has haunted our family for decades. It seems that Death itself has been systematically targeting not only the survivors of the “Space Needle” disaster, but also their descendants and loved ones.

Though Iris’ end-of-the-world prediction appears far-fetched, Stefani soon finds evidence that supports some of her grandmother’s hypotheses. As a result, Stefani recruits her brother Charlie (Teo Briones) and cousins to counteract the cosmic powers lining up to threaten them all. However, when she manages to protect one family member from impending doom, Stefani recognizes that Death’s plan is intricate and patient, leaving her no choice but to take extreme steps to halt this deadly chain of events and save as many lives as possible, even if it means sacrificing her own.

Due to the explosive nature of the events that kickstart each movie in the “Final Destination” series, causing a race against death, these films are typically packed with action from the get-go. “Bloodlines” follows suit: The dramatic scene on the Space Needle, while not as nerve-wracking as the highway accident in the second film, builds up to a climax that is both anticipated and unexpected. What sets this movie apart from its predecessors is that the characters are given early access to a book containing evidence of a multi-generational chain of deaths, along with potential ways to avoid it, thanks to Iris’s compilation of information.

Since the 2000 debut of “Final Destination,” Todd has been portraying the on-screen historian character, Bludworth. His posthumous reappearance in this role serves as a heartfelt tribute to the horror legend and bridges the gaps between the different parts of the franchise’s storyline. Simultaneously, screenwriters Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor craft one perilous predicament after another for their characters, recognizing that the series’ central deception (particularly in how each character meets their demise) is most effective when viewers don’t need to stretch their belief too far to accept the chain of fatal events.

In a different wording:

While some roles might have been more impactful with A-list actors (such as Meryl Streep portraying the reclusive survivalist Iris, who would undoubtedly receive standing ovations), Santa Juana provides a solid, realistic foundation for the doomed cast. Particularly, Richard Harmon delivers an unexpectedly deep performance as Stefani’s heavily-pierced cousin Erik, adding to the overall sense of defying conventions. However, similar to the best episodes in the series, Lipovsky and Stein skillfully strike a harmonious blend between heart-wrenching and absurdly hilarious scenes, recognizing that life-and-death situations can (perhaps even should) incorporate some fun elements.

In an era filled with intertwined movie worlds, it surprisingly took just six movies spanning over 25 years to unite this horror series – interestingly, one that heavily emphasizes cause and effect within its storyline. Smart, surprising, and entertaining, “Final Destination Bloodlines” injects a fresh dose of creativity into the franchise, almost ensuring its continued presence in terrorizing audiences.

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2025-05-14 00:40