Final Destination: Bloodlines Is One Of The Franchise’s Best

Final Destination: Bloodlines is one of the franchise’s best, offering up gnarly, unforgettable kills, more detailed lore, and a fitting farewell to Tony Todd.

Final Destination takes that saying of “if you see a gun on screen, it has to go off at some point” and turns it completely on its head. That is what I love so much about this franchise. It shows audiences the danger in, well, everything. I would be lying if I said I didn’t leave my screening of Final Destination: Bloodlines looking around me, making sure that I was safe. The pace at which I walked down the stairs to enter the building – slower than a turtle.

Bloodlines is easily one of the best of the franchise. I would rank it firmly behind the first film, which likely has a lot to do with nostalgia and the fact that Final Destination was the start of it all – you really can’t top that. These kills are gnarly. They are unforgettable. This movie does not hold back on the gore, which is much appreciated.

The opening sequence always sets the tone for Final Destination films, which is exactly what the one in Bloodlines does. It seems like with each movie, this sequence gets bigger and bolder. Well, hold onto your pennies (you will get this when you watch it) because this is one of the most terrifying openings ever.

If you are like me, and you refuse to ever drive behind a log truck because of the trauma that this franchise has caused you, then you are about to never want to take an elevator up higher than any human should go, as well. I used to love the idea of dinner with a view, but nope, this is no longer something I strive to do.

Here is where we meet Iris (Brec Bessinger). She is not in the movie a lot, but if she didn’t nail that role, no one would be interested in seeing where things go. Of course, she does exactly that, making the audience fall in love with sweet Iris, which only makes it more entertaining to see the older version of her later on, and learn what she has been through over the years.

The CGI might not be perfect in this scene (or in most of the death scenes, for that matter), but it is pretty darn good and accomplishes exactly what it needs to. There is blood, there is gore, and there are moments that will have you cringing and laughing at the same time.

Not only do we instantly care about Iris, but the rest of the cast is pretty likable too. Kaitlyn Santa Juana leads as Stefani, as she is great, but for me, Richard Harmon stole the show as Erik. He might look hard on the exterior, but he is a big softie who loves his family on the inside.

He provides a lot of the comedic relief with his sarcasm and well-timed jokes. Plus, his chemistry with Owen Patrick Joyner, who plays his brother Bobby, is off the charts. They are so much fun to watch on screen together.

One of my favorite things about Final Destination: Bloodlines is the death scenes. See the photo above this paragraph? Yeah, that was my face for most of the movie as well. This is something the franchise has always done well, but it feels like they really raised the bar this time around.

Tony Todd’s monologue in Final Destination: Bloodlines almost feels as if he wrote it himself as a goodbye to his fans. He mentions being sick, and that he is now just going to live life to its fullest until death comes for him. Watching this after his devastating passing is a whole new level of emotional intensity that I never thought I would experience during a Final Destination film.

To no one’s surprise, he nails the role. It might be a small part, but it is not only impactful, he delivers some important lore that is sure to bleed into rest of the franchise as it goes on.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is fantastic. The characters are great, the deaths are brutal, and the blood and gore is off the charts. I am so happy to see this franchise at the top of its game again with an expansion of the lore without it feeling like it is jumping the shark.

Final Destination: Bloodlines comes to theaters on May 16 and believe me when I tell you, you absolutely have to see this one in theaters. As with all movies in this franchise, it is all about he communal experience of discovering what death has in store for these characters.

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About Final Destination: Bloodlines

The newest chapter in New Line Cinema’s bloody successful franchise takes audiences back to the very beginning of Death’s twisted sense of justice. Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.

Final Destination: Bloodlines comes to theaters May 16.

80%

80%

The characters are great, the deaths are brutal, and the blood and gore is off the charts.

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