AtanariaAfter a 13-year slumber, the Final Destination franchise has burst from the grave with Bloodlines, and it’s an absolute blood-soaked blast. Directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B Stein don’t just resurrect the beloved horror series—they electrify it with a sharp, stylish, and gloriously gory sixth installment that’s part throwback, part evolution, and 100% entertaining.
If you’re exhausted by the overly self-serious wave of “elevated horror,” Bloodlines is your antidote. Yes, it’s smart and slick, but it also knows exactly what it is: a ridiculous, rollercoaster of Rube Goldberg-style death traps where ceiling fans and lawn tools are as deadly as any masked slasher. This film isn’t afraid to have fun with death, and that’s its greatest strength.
Set in the ‘60s with a dazzling opening that plays like a romantic drama before descending into carnage, Bloodlines sets the tone early: lush visuals, strong character chemistry, and a masterful build-up of tension. Brec Bassinger’s Iris kicks things off with a blindfolded vision of doom atop a swanky observation-deck-turned-deathtrap. It’s a showstopper of a sequence, both nostalgic and fresh, and it lays the groundwork for a clever twist on the series mythology.
This time, death isn’t just stalking survivors—it’s inherited. Iris’s granddaughter Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana, wonderfully frazzled) finds herself cursed by bloodline, trying to unravel her family’s fatal history before the reaper finishes the job. Add in a delightfully cynical cousin played by Richard Harmon, and you’ve got a cast you oddly want to survive—even if you also can’t wait to see how they die.
And oh, the deaths. They’re inventive, brutal, and hilariously over-the-top. From MRI mishaps to garden tool mayhem, the kills are choreographed with a flair that feels almost balletic in its absurdity. Lipovsky and Stein inject each moment with a Buster Keaton-like sense of physical comedy, while also winking at long-time fans with callbacks to infamous franchise moments—yes, logs make a cameo.
But the film’s real emotional gut punch comes courtesy of the late, great Tony Todd, reprising his role as the enigmatic Bludworth. His final, improvised monologue about embracing life’s fleeting beauty gives the film a surprising depth. For a series about cheating death, Bloodlines reminds us that living fully might be the best revenge.
In short, Final Destination: Bloodlines is a triumphant return—a beautifully bonkers blend of nostalgia, innovation, and just the right amount of sentimentality. Death has never looked this good… or this fun.
We give it a strong 4.5 out of 5 twisted metal lawn ornaments!
