“Death doesn’t like it when you f*** with his plans” — a great quote that sets up Final Destination Bloodlines
, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for fans of the original franchise. The kills are as inventive as ever, and seeing this movie with a crowd is a must. The story — by Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts, Guy Busnick, and Lori Evans Taylor — and direction by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein has charm and a great sense of humor.
The new cast is a great signal for the franchise’s future, and it’s almost a shame they all inherently have to die. Sandwiched between a masterpiece like Sinners and a barrage of upcoming superhero content, Final Destination Bloodlines might get lost in the shuffle, but it is certainly worth a watch.
Stefani (The Friendship Game‘s Kaitlyn Santa Juana) keeps having the same dream. Her grandmother, Iris (Stargirl alum Brec Bᴀssinger), and countless others died in a horrific accident. She is shocked to realize Iris had a premonition of those exact events, and, as a result, all of those people went on to live… but not for too long. Iris (Gabrielle Rose plays old Iris) explains that death came for them all eventually, and even their descendants. Stefani quickly realizes this applies to her and her family as well. She sets off to stop horrendous murders from befalling her and her family. Results may vary.
Final Destination Bloodlines Is A Phenomenal Reboot
The Movie Isn’t Afraid To Take Chances
Final Destination Bloodlines opens with a fully CGI scene set in a restaurant in the sky. Historically, this franchise hasn’t needed that level of VFX work until the actual kill itself takes place. However, as the scene unfolds, everything from the set-up to the performances puts Final Destination Bloodlines in a position to succeed. This trend continues throughout the film in different disciplines. Just when you think a scene is about to be eye-rollingly melodramatic, a well-placed bit of comedy saves the day.
This might be the best supporting cast of any Final Destination film. The brothers, Erik and Bobby, played by Richard Harmon and Owen Patrick Joyner, in particular, steal the show. Harmon as a punk-rock jerk and Joyner as the space case are a match made in heaven. There is a scene in a hospital featuring just the two of them, and it is five minutes of pure comedy.
Though the rest of the cast isn’t as funny, their presence in the movie is equally important. The tone of the Final Destination franchise is a tricky one to walk. Actors can’t tip their hand and play every scene as a joke, but they also have to steer clear of self-seriousness. The former takes away from the natural comedy that comes from a montage of funerals, and the latter takes the audience out of the tone everyone else is trying to keep together. Luckily, Bloodlines maintains that balance.
The brothers played by Richard Harmon and Max Lloyd-Jones, steal the show
In His Final Performance, Tony Todd Is As Good As Ever
But the most iconic cast member is the horror legend himself, Tony Todd, reprising his role as William Bludworth. The late actor has six more roles to come, but Final Destination: Bloodlines was the last one he filmed before his untimely death last year. It’s a joy and a privilege to watch these movies with a crowd, and there were several applause breaks in my screening, but none louder than during Todd’s entrance.
It’s just one scene, which might be for the best considering his health at the time, but the entire movie stops when he appears. Though that ever-present sense of dread that the Final Destination films are so good at is still present, Todd’s scene is the only moment in Bloodlines that is truly sincere.
Final Destination Bloodlines could end up being one of the year’s biggest surprises. Santa Juana is a great lead, and there’s a chance she could be a horror mainstay for the foreseeable future. She can easily lead films like this, considering her strong efforts here. And while the word “quality” is always tricky in horror, I imagine fans and skeptics will be surprised at the sheer quality of Bloodlines. Filmed for IMAX, cast very well, and ultimately well-made, Final Destination Bloodlines is a spectacle, a joyride, and easily the funniest iteration in the franchise.
Final Destination: Bloodlines is in theaters May 16. The film is rated R for violent/grisly accidents and language.
