MOVIE REVIEW: We see if 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' breathes new life into horror franchise
Sixth instalment honours series' legacy as well as adding to its lore.
Other than its awful fourth outing, the Final Destination franchise has been one of horror's most consistently entertaining.
But it's been 14 years since the surprisingly good fifth flick, so can Bloodlines resurrect the series in splattery style?
Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, college student Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that awaits them.
Co-directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (2018's Freaks) fully embrace the over-the-top, otherworldly nature of the series, while the trio of writers effectively add to the storyline lore.
There's a focus on how the past affects the present and the group of victims in Death's wake is much larger than those found in any previous entry.
Final Destination lives or dies by its opening premonition sequence and inventive kills, with the former in Bloodlines sure to torment vertigo sufferers and make you think twice about your next restaurant booking.
The latter delivers in spades - and garbage trucks, lawnmowers and MRI machines - to treat gore hounds to a few of the franchise's nastiest, bloodiest farewells.
It's touching seeing horror icon Tony Todd, who has been a small-but-crucial part of the Final Destination fabric, given such a cool, poignant send-off in one of his final roles before his passing.
Clever story beats also ensure adultery and illness is as threatening as any sharp object or machinery.
The cast of characters isn't the strongest we've seen in the series but Juana, Brec Bassinger (young Iris) and Richard Harmon ( Erik) stand out from the crowd, while series fans will appreciate the callbacks and nods to previous outings.
I can't think of many franchises with such a strong sixth entry and it's a testament to Bloodlines' successful mix of legacy honouring and lore advancement that it breathes new life into the Final Destination world.
● Do you like the Final Destination flicks? If so, which one is your favourite in the franchise?
● Final Destination: Bloodlines is showing in cinemas now.
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'I spent a week holidaying in UK seaside town and came home broke'
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Daily Record
a day ago
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MOVIE REVIEW: We see if 'Final Destination: Bloodlines' breathes new life into horror franchise
Sixth instalment honours series' legacy as well as adding to its lore. Other than its awful fourth outing, the Final Destination franchise has been one of horror's most consistently entertaining. But it's been 14 years since the surprisingly good fifth flick, so can Bloodlines resurrect the series in splattery style? Plagued by a recurring violent nightmare, college student Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) returns home to find the one person who can break the cycle and save her family from the horrific fate that awaits them. Co-directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein (2018's Freaks) fully embrace the over-the-top, otherworldly nature of the series, while the trio of writers effectively add to the storyline lore. There's a focus on how the past affects the present and the group of victims in Death's wake is much larger than those found in any previous entry. Final Destination lives or dies by its opening premonition sequence and inventive kills, with the former in Bloodlines sure to torment vertigo sufferers and make you think twice about your next restaurant booking. The latter delivers in spades - and garbage trucks, lawnmowers and MRI machines - to treat gore hounds to a few of the franchise's nastiest, bloodiest farewells. It's touching seeing horror icon Tony Todd, who has been a small-but-crucial part of the Final Destination fabric, given such a cool, poignant send-off in one of his final roles before his passing. Clever story beats also ensure adultery and illness is as threatening as any sharp object or machinery. The cast of characters isn't the strongest we've seen in the series but Juana, Brec Bassinger (young Iris) and Richard Harmon ( Erik) stand out from the crowd, while series fans will appreciate the callbacks and nods to previous outings. I can't think of many franchises with such a strong sixth entry and it's a testament to Bloodlines' successful mix of legacy honouring and lore advancement that it breathes new life into the Final Destination world. ● Do you like the Final Destination flicks? If so, which one is your favourite in the franchise? ● Final Destination: Bloodlines is showing in cinemas now.
Daily Record
4 days ago
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Original cast of Final Destination now from ditching fame to heartbreaking tragedy
The first Final Destination movie was released in 2000 and saw the likes of Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Seann William Scott and Tony Todd take on the roles of high school students Even after 25 years since its spine-chilling premiere, Final Destination remains a hallmark of early 2000s horror cinema. The concept of death possessing a sentient consciousness capable of pursuing individuals, the terrifying plane crash scene, and a string of shocking fatalities have left an indelible mark on a generation. The film was a resounding success, earning cult classic status and becoming deeply embedded in cinematic culture. It spawned one of the most profitable franchises in movie history, with five additional films released since its original debut in 2000. But what happened to the young actors who portrayed high school students in the initial films? From garnering critical praise at esteemed award ceremonies to experiencing their own tragic losses, the journeys of the original cast members have been nearly as dramatic as the film itself, reports the Mirror US. Devon Sawa - Alex Browning Having lent his voice to Casper the friendly ghost at just 16, Devon Sawa continued his foray into supernatural cinema with Final Destination. Post-Final Destination, he maintained his affinity for horror roles, featuring in several of the franchise's reboots. He did take a hiatus from Hollywood, partly due to battling addiction and the pressures of the industry. However, he has since made a comeback, appearing in various horror TV series such as Chucky, Heart Eyes, and Bunker. Ali Larter - Clear Rivers Following her role as Clear Rivers, Ali Larter carved out a successful career in Hollywood, featuring in films such as Legally Blonde and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, while also maintaining her horror credentials with roles in the Resident Evil franchise. More recently, Ali has been seen in the Texan oil drilling drama Landman, sharing screen time with big names like Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm and Demi Moore. In 2009, she tied the knot with her long-term partner Haynes MacArthur, and they now have two children together. Kerr Smith - Carter Horton A heartthrob of the 1990s, Kerr is perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of Jack McPhee in the teen drama Dawson's Creek. Fast forward nearly two decades since the show wrapped up, and the 53-year-old can be found enjoying outdoor pursuits such as camping, cycling, and skiing in the Utah mountains. He and his wife, Lisa, jointly run TerraLife, a wellness company specialising in holistic health coaching, functional nutrition, and natural hormone balancing. Post-Final Destination, Kerr continued to work predominantly in television, making appearances in shows like Charmed, CSI: NY, Eli Stone, The Fosters and Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D. Kristen Cloke - Valerie Lewton Beyond Final Destination, Kristen Cloke might be most recognised for her breakout role in Space: Above and Beyond or her recurring part in the equally chilling X-files, where she met her future husband, producer Glen Morgan. Over the subsequent decades, she remained active in the acting scene, snagging parts in the horror flick Black Christmas, the brief film Tips and, notably, a performance in Greta Gerwig's critically acclaimed Lady Bird, which garnered multiple Oscar nominations. Seann William Scott - Billy Hitchcock A quintessential figure of 90s teen cinema, Sean was a key player in some of the era's most memorable comedies, taking on roles in the American Pie series and The Dukes of Hazzard. Fast forward to 2025, he's seen sharing the screen with Tim Allen in the sitcom Shifting Gears, and there's buzz that he'll provide his voice for the forthcoming animated movie Ice Age 6. Tony Todd - William Bludworth Tony Todd has long been an established name in the horror genre, not least because of his notably deep, gravely vocal tone which also won him various opportunities in voice acting. He is perhaps best recognised for his portrayal of Bludworth in Final Destination and its sequels, including this year's installment, Final Destination Bloodline. Tony's iconic role as the eponymous character in the Candyman series stands out, but his career also covered films like Platoon and Night of the Living Dead, among numerous others. Sadly, Tony passed away in November 2024 at the age of 69 following a battle with stomach cancer. During his final appearance in the latest Final Destination movie, produced amidst his illness, the team permitted him to ad-lib his concluding words: "Life is precious, enjoy every single second, you never know when. Good luck."
