Twenty-five years ago, Final Destination opened in theaters and captured the hearts and minds of horror fans craving something a little different from the usual horror film. Six films (of varying qualities) later, the fans are treated to a new installment that acts as another stand-alone sequel. Death has not gone away and still targets people within its grand master plan. What makes this film stand out from the others is up to the new filmmakers in charge, and after enjoying this movie, I know that this franchise has now been resurrected.
The story takes us back to 1968, several decades before the events of the first film. A young boyfriend and girlfriend named Iris (Brec Bassinger) and Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones) attend the grand opening of the Skyview Restaurant Tower, where Paul decides to propose to Iris. However, this proposal gets derailed when Iris has a premonition that a disaster will kill all the party’s attendants, and she warns everyone. Though she manages to save everyone, Death always finds a way to even the score.
The movie flashes forward to the present day, where Iris’ granddaughter Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) begins having nightmares of her grandmother’s initial vision. Worried that her family may be the next target of Death, she returns home from college to warn them and figure out a way to cheat Death.
With a solid and entertaining screenplay by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, directors Zach Lipovski and Adam Stein prove that they have plenty of love for this franchise with this new installment. Knowing what makes these movies so much fun and entertaining, the filmmakers lean heavily into the humor, but never cross the line that separates a movie from being a parody of itself. What makes this film work is the characters’ seriousness with their situation. At the same time, it is hard not to make wisecracks or jokes because the idea initially seems rather ludicrous.
Fans of this film series obviously enjoy the often ridiculous kills, and quite frankly, it is all part of the fun. What this film franchise has accomplished well is the combination of genuine tension and suspense mixed with cartoonish, over-the-top deaths, most of which are inspired by Rube Goldberg.
It is always a blast to see Death at work in these movies, and it is hilarious to see that Death takes such elaborate methods to accomplish its mission. Most of the effects here are decent. Some CGI seems a little dated, but I had no significant issues with how the death scenes play out. Is this movie formulaic? Well, that is the beauty of it all. Fans have come to expect a specific reliance on a tried and true formula, which still holds up. I will give kudos to filmmakers putting an inventive spin on Death’s plans.
I was also pleased with the cast members. Everyone in the film knows their assignments well and delivers solid performances. I was particularly impressed with the performance of Richard Harmon, who portrays Stefani’s cousin Erik, a wry and sarcastic character who brings much humor to the movie. In a bittersweet callback to the previous movies, audiences are treated to the return of fan favorite, the late Tony Todd, who reprises his role as the death-savvy William. I don’t know if this is his last performance, but seeing Todd on the big screen once more made me wish he hadn’t left us.
Final Destination: Bloodlines is a return to form for the franchise, and that is because the filmmakers knew what they were doing and wanted to bring us back to the craziness and humor that have made this series a horror phenomenon.