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Final Destination: Bloodlines – A Bloody Fun Return to Form

I’m a big fan of the Final Destination series, so I was honestly surprised to hear that another installment was in the works. Part 5 wrapped things up in such a neat little bow that it felt like the story had come full circle. So when Bloodlines was announced, I was hesitantly optimistic. Could they recapture the magic (and mayhem) of the originals without running the whole thing into the ground? I’m glad to report—it was worth the price of admission.

Image by Pacific Science Center

Not Shakespeare, But It’ll Do

Let’s just be clear up front: this is not some masterpiece of screenwriting. The plot is about as flimsy as ever, and no one here is giving an Oscar-caliber performance. But let’s be real—if you’re showing up to a Final Destination movie expecting award-winning drama, you’ve already wandered into the wrong theater. That said, the writing didn’t make me want to claw my ears off either, which is more than I can say for a lot of recent horror flicks. It was… fine.

Image by The New York Times

That Classic FD Vibe is Back

One of the strongest aspects of Bloodlines is how well it captures the feel of the early 2000s era Final Destination movies. There’s something about the pacing, the tone, and even the score that really hits that nostalgic sweet spot. It’s clear the writers and creators actually cared about the source material and canon. Nothing is perfect, sure—but it didn’t feel like some cheap cash grab, and that’s a win in itself.

Image by Variety

Deliciously Disturbing Deaths

Let’s talk kills, because let’s face it—that’s what we’re all here for. The death scenes are great. The Rube Goldberg-style setups, the tension-building misdirects, the "Oh no, that thing’s gonna—yep, there it goes!" moments—all accounted for. They’re choreographed really well and avoid slipping into total cheese. There’s creativity, surprise, and just the right amount of gruesome.

However, there is one absolute dud in the mix. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say the “garbage” kill felt cheap, lazy, and almost unfinished. It was jarringly bad compared to the rest. Luckily, it's only one moment in an otherwise satisfying bloodbath.

Image by New West Record

A Near-Miss on Greatness

Here’s where things get frustrating. There’s a really interesting narrative thread introduced in this movie that could’ve connected the larger franchise lore in a much deeper, cooler way. It was right there, and they just… didn’t go for it. It wouldn’t have made or broken the film for casual viewers, but for longtime fans? It would’ve been an epic payoff. That missed opportunity left a bit of a sting.

Image by AP News

DEI Without the Lecture

I have to give credit where it’s due: the cast is diverse and well-balanced, but the movie doesn’t beat you over the head with political messaging. It’s just a diverse group of people in a messed-up situation, and it feels organic, not shoehorned. That’s how it should be done. Representation without distraction.

Image by Yardbarker

Final Thoughts

Final Score: 7/10. Final Destination: Bloodlines isn’t a game-changer, but it’s a solid, entertaining entry into a beloved franchise. It gives fans what they came for: inventive kills, tension, and a little bit of nostalgia. Could it have reached greater heights? Absolutely. But as it stands, it’s a bloody fun time at the movies—and for fans of the series, it’s more than worth checking out on the big screen.

Pros:
✅ Classic Final Destination tone and pacing
✅ Creative, well-executed kills
✅ Respect for franchise canon and continuity
✅ Organic, diverse casting without preachiness
✅ Nostalgic early-2000s horror vibes

Cons:
❌ One particularly bad kill that felt out of place
❌ Missed opportunity to deepen the story’s connection to franchise lore
❌ Flimsy writing that won’t win over newcomers

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