Final Destination is an American horror franchise that includes six films.
As a fan, you’ll chew it up and love it and, no doubt, give it a rating much higher than this reviewer. Should horror flicks not be your choice of entertainment, best to avoid.
You might be surprised to learn that Final Destination, the first in the series, was originally written for the The X-Files TV series.
Every film revolves around a group a people who escape a mass casualty event because a visionary predicts they will die in it.
By surviving they also cheat Death itself in its design to kill them in such event.
Therefore, Death takes them out one by one in extremely gruesome, often comical methods.
Final Destination Bloodlines returns to the franchise’s signature theme – death is inevitable and fate never forgets.
From the moment this film unreels, it cast a shadow of quiet dread that never appears to lift.
Even somewhat lesser moments feel tense and non-predictable.
Tension builds by means of atmosphere, the so-called slow burn suspense and an ever-present feeling that something awful lurks just out of frame.
It is a dictum of horror flicks that composition within each frame always allows space for “something” to hide, perhaps reach out and touch the hair or skin.
Earlier entries in the franchise have characters which take up space, whereas this new Bloodlines includes characters that are fleshed-out (no pun intended) and, as a viewer, relatable.
You can identify with the characters, thus making every shock sequence even more credible.
Any Final Destination movie lives or dies (pun intended) by its creativity and impact of its death scenes.
Bloodlines is a stand-out.
Instead of buckets of gore for shock value, meticulous and elaborate chains of tension and misdirection allow for second-guessing every object in a room.
You don’t know when it’s coming, but when it happens, it’s brutal, haunting and surprisingly believable.
Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), a uni student, is plagued by recurring visions and nightmares, an uncomfortable premonition inherited from her grandmother.
As her family members fall victim to unexplainable and horrific “accidents”, she races against time to find that one person who can break the cycle of shuffling off this mortal coil (a nod to Shakespeare).
William John Bludworth (Tony Todd), in his ever-enigmatic presence, provides continuity and intrigue for long-time fans.
He struggled to complete this, his last role, before passing away on November 6 2024.
The past haunts the present, hence Bloodlines following Final Destination.
It might possibly be the smartest film in the franchise.
