Final Destination: Bloodlines Review - Resurrecting the Franchise

      Final Destination Bloodlines Review: Reviving the Franchise

      “Final Destination Bloodlines features impressive kills and an engaging new storyline to accompany them.”

      Pros

      - Introduces a fresh twist to the franchise

      - Contains some remarkable kills

      - Features an epic opening disaster scene

      Cons

      - Despite adding new elements, it remains a Final Destination film, revisiting familiar themes and concepts.

      The newest installment of the Final Destination series is Final Destination Bloodlines, debuting nearly 15 years after 2011's Final Destination 5. This time, we discover that all the events throughout the film series trace back to a pivotal night in the 1960s, when a glamorous new observation tower and restaurant known as the Skyview was meant to collapse, resulting in numerous fatalities. However, in true Final Destination fashion, a young woman named Iris (Brec Bassinger) averts the catastrophe due to a premonition. In the years following this near-disaster, Death has been relentless in pursuing every survivor of the Skyview incident and their descendants, meaning that every character in the Final Destination franchise is either a survivor of the Skyview event or part of the subsequent generations.

      Bloodlines focuses on Iris' family, the final remaining descendants of the Skyview tragedy, who must confront their dire circumstances while attempting to escape Death's grasp once and for all. Although this premise initially seems repetitive, I have to acknowledge that Final Destination Bloodlines is actually a commendable addition to the franchise.

      Bloodlines opens with a fantastic disaster scene

      For me (and likely for many horror aficionados), the opening disasters are the standout moments of the Final Destination series. Bloodlines does not disappoint—the opening scene has quickly become one of my all-time favorites within the franchise. Without revealing too much, I’ll note that the Skyview Tower takes inspiration from the Space Needle in Seattle, resembling it closely. This means a large group of people is suspended high above the ground, balanced on a slim concrete base that barely accommodates an elevator and a narrow stairwell. When a fire erupts and the foundation begins to give way, where does anyone go?

      By combining claustrophobia with a fear of heights, Bloodlines’ opening disaster creates an authentically terrifying scene that surely unnerves viewers. Furthermore, it boasts several morbidly humorous moments that elicited genuine laughter from me and the audience.

      Final Destination Bloodlines provides a new perspective on the franchise's formula

      Similar to previous Final Destination films, after the opening disaster, we meet our protagonists—Death’s next targets. However, unlike prior installments, Bloodlines shifts from the 1960s to the present day, with the group consisting of Iris’ family rather than friends or strangers brought together by fate.

      Iris’ granddaughter Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) starts experiencing bizarre dreams related to the Skyview Tower, prompting her to seek out her estranged grandmother. Upon meeting, Stefani uncovers the truth regarding how all the deaths are linked to the Skyview incident. Her family is not only next in line for Death but represents the last surviving lineage of those who were in the tower.

      Following this revelation, Bloodlines unfolds in a way similar to previous Final Destination films: one by one, family members meet their demise, and with each death, the survivors become increasingly savvy and capable of resisting Death. What distinguishes Bloodlines is the newfound, deeper significance woven into the narrative. In many respects, one could argue that Bloodlines is rich in lore. Finally, we gain insight into why Death has perpetually stalked various seemingly random groups over the years, and now we know that as these are the last survivors, their fates carry immense weight for the franchise and could potentially conclude it.

      While all Final Destination films have plots, many lack depth. They tend to focus on showcasing deaths in extravagant ways rather than providing a captivating story with exposition or context. The inclusion of this narrative in a Final Destination film is a refreshing shift, allowing audiences to engage with something interesting in between the kills rather than merely watching a group of teenagers exclaim, “This can’t be happening!” for an extended period until the next death scene.

      That said, the kills remain the highlight – and they’re incredibly entertaining

      Though I appreciate Bloodlines for developing a compelling story, we all know the true reason we purchased tickets for a Final Destination movie: we desire to witness Death wreak havoc in outrageous, spectacular disasters. Unfortunately, earlier Final Destination films failed to satisfy audiences in this regard (looking at you, The Final Destination), but Bloodlines delivers some impressive kills.

      Even better, the film prominently features practical effects, and the CGI used is of high quality, a far cry from the cheap visuals seen in some previous installments (again, particularly The Final Destination). I won’t delve into specifics regarding the kills, as doing so would spoil the surprises. Additionally, Bloodlines succeeds in tricking viewers several times, so even hinting at