Final Destination Bloodlines Review: At Death’s Door

Final Destination: Bloodlines is a gory, comedic delight that surpasses every expectation one might have had for the franchise.

They’re the type of films that are incredibly nostalgic for kids that grew up in the 90s and 2000s, bringing back memories of strolling down the Blockbuster aisles on a Friday night in search of the next horror classic and then boasting to your classmates on a Monday that you watched the scariest movie of the decade and lived to tell the tale.

Despite my reservations, I’m thrilled to report that Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein deliver something truly special in Final Destination: Bloodlines. In fact, their creative vision in the latest installment surpassed all my expectations, and then some.

Final Destination: Bloodlines opens on a high note and sets the stage for the film’s bloody tone. In the first scene, viewers are transported back to the ‘60s and introduced to a couple named Iris (Brec Bassinger) and Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones). As a surprise, Paul has taken Iris to a restaurant called the Skyview that has just opened in town. All patrons scattering into the building’s lobby are overjoyed to be the first customers experiencing a dining experience to remember multiple stories above ground. As the night progresses, the venue is buzzing with joy and excitement while people enjoy drinks, live music, and food. This is a Final Destination film, though, so as one would expect, things take a disastrous turn.

We then fast forward to the present day and meet a college girl named Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana). Although she’s smart and has a strong record of academic success, her school grades have been slipping due to a reoccurring dream she keeps having each night. As the narrative unfolds, we learn that she shares a connection with somebody who was at the Skyview restaurant back in the ‘60s. Desperate for answers, Stefani sets out to find this person in hopes of uncovering the meaning behind the vivid, disturbing nightmares she experiences whenever she tries to get some rest.

Final Destination has always been a self-aware horror franchise that fully embraces its over-the-top kills, blending shock value with twisted humor. Final Destination: Bloodlines is no exception to that rule. In terms of humor, it’s by far the funniest installment yet. Not only are many deaths downright gruesome, but the narrative also introduces sharp one-liners rooted in family drama that had the audience erupting with laughter. In the later franchise films, some of the characters are generic and forgettable. However, in the latest installment, the story centers around a family who are far more distinctive.

Everyone in the cast does a fantastic job, though the biggest standout is a character named Erik, played by Richard Harmon. Erik is the outspoken outsider of the family and at the center of a hilarious storyline. Let’s just say he’d definitely be BFFs with Ian McKinley from Final Destination 3 if they ever had the chance to meet.

Now to highlight what most moviegoers will show up to the cinema for: The Kills! Though the gore on display in the sixth film is familiar, Final Destination: Bloodlines features brutal deaths that set it apart from the rest of the series. They’re shocking, extreme, and darkly inventive. When compared to those in previous installments, some rank among the most memorable and comedic. I don’t want to get into any specifics and reveal too much, but let’s just say you might want to hold off on ordering a cherry slushy during your trip to the theater and choose a blue raspberry instead! Trust me, it’s for the best.

For all Final Destination: Bloodlines’ gore and guts, it still managed to make me cry (though I will say I did this in the privacy of my car after the screening). Tony Todd has been a memorable, beloved member of this franchise since the very beginning, so to feature Bludworth in the latest film is a touching moment for Todd’s fans, celebrating and honoring his legacy. When he appeared on screen, members of the audience clapped, and when his memoriam appeared in the credits, the audience cheered. His scene in the movie is a truly poignant moment that will bring people to tears. The script and Todd’s beautiful dialogue deliver a powerful and unforgettable farewell to the late actor.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is a stellar return for the franchise that will appeal to long-term fans of the original film, raising the stakes in all the right ways. The deaths are inventive, comedic, and satisfying, while the characters featured in the latest installment make the narrative even more memorable. When it comes to entertainment value, Final Destination: Bloodlines easily ranks in the top three of the franchise.

Final Destination: Bloodlines will be released globally in theatres on May 16, 2025.