Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) - Film Review

      Final Destination: Bloodlines, 2025.

      Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein.

      Featuring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Rya Kihlstedt, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, Alex Zahara, April Telek, Tinpo Lee, Tony Todd, Brec Bassinger, Gabrielle Rose, Max Lloyd-Jones, Brenna Llewellyn, Mark Brandon, Yvette Ferguson, Travis Turner, Noah Bromley, Panou, Janelle Beadall, Jeanie Cloutier, Matty Finochio, Sophia Chapdelaine, and Jayden Oniah.

      SYNOPSIS:

      Haunted by a persistent violent nightmare, a college student returns home searching for the one individual who can end the cycle and protect her family from the horrifying fate that awaits them.

      Death dislikes when its plans are disrupted. As fans of the Final Destination franchise are aware, Death has meticulous plans that a character in this installment likens to mathematics. If one can identify the lethal variables in any scenario, they can be pieced together like an equation, preventing the series of events that might result in tragic injuries or fatalities. This allows for a humorous and refreshing take on the series, featuring a character who humorously suggests various theories on how they might meet their end, reminiscent of what fans have likely done for years, especially while driving behind a truck loaded with logs.

      The directors of Final Destination: Bloodlines, Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, alongside screenwriters Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, with input on the story from Jon Watts, the director of MCU Spider-Man, manage to complicate the narrative significantly with an origin story of catastrophic, accidental deaths and calamitous destruction mostly thwarted, which only serves to irritate Death further. If you were in Death's position, you would likely be frustrated that your carefully devised, multi-step plans got derailed like that.

      In the present day, Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) experiences haunting dreams about the traumatic incident in vivid detail, soon discovering that she is reliving it through the eyes of her alienated grandmother (played by Brec Bassinger and Gabrielle Rose in present day). She begins to question if her family's beliefs about her grandmother's wild claims that Death is after them are as irrational as she once thought. This family curse of parental behavior has also affected her mother, Darlene (Rya Kihlstedt), who is similarly estranged from Stefani. Nevertheless, she maintains a close relationship with her father, Marty (Tinpo Lee), and brother, Charlie (Teo Briones), though she risks losing her scholarship due to poor grades, a result of her relentless nightmares.

      After some investigation, it becomes evident that Death has not completed its decades-long spree of taking lives of those who were not meant to survive the catastrophic event. The narrative includes various perspectives on the incident, presenting an epic-scale sequence appropriate for the situation (even if it features unconvincing CGI backgrounds); this is part of the usual Hollywood trend of going bigger and louder, which may often feel unnecessary but seems fitting for a franchise centered around Death orchestrating elaborate kills. The scale of the set piece is further enhanced by Tim Wynn's ominous score, some gruesome practical effects, and impressive stunt work (it has been noted that a record for the oldest person set on fire during filming was established), alongside a twisted sense of humor that incorporates song lyrics and object close-ups to create a blend of foreboding and darkly comedic effects.

      Following this, the filmmakers take their time to establish the remainder of the Bloodlines storyline. Once the plot gains momentum, it becomes increasingly apparent that they are well aware of what audiences seek from this franchise and horror in general. There’s even a brief scene featuring the characters playing Mortal Kombat, emphasizing their understanding of the appeal of over-the-top violence, which would likely resonate well within that franchise as well.

      The filmmakers allow some of these characters to be oblivious, which means that when typical Final Destination chaos arises, it’s perfectly acceptable to anticipate and relish the impending gruesome violence. These expectations are played with, leading to entertaining, unexpected twists and darkly humorous punchlines. The film contains some grotesque kills, paired with equally twisted humor.

      However, it’s worth noting that Final Destination: Bloodlines also attempts to include some emotional arcs. Admittedly, these aspects are the film's weakest points, sometimes feeling forced, reminiscent of legacy sequel tropes, although this is not strictly one of those. The highlight is a cameo by the late and talented Tony Todd reprising his role and imparting wisdom that resonates beyond the confines of the film. Nevertheless, the film largely prioritizes the enjoyment of carnage, with the creators consciously avoiding excessive sentimentality. Even when the movie bends the rules it has established