Final Destination: Bloodlines review – Does this long-awaited sequel deliver?

Short answer? Kinda yeah, kinda no. Final Destination: Bloodlines is bloody, bonkers, and at times deeply emotional — but also kind of messy. It's not the franchise’s best, but it’s not the worst.

Somewhere between a throwback and a soft reboot, it takes the signature “death Rube Goldberg machine” energy and dials it up, while layering in a generational curse subplot that tries (keyword: tries) to add emotional weight.

But here’s the truth: I don’t watch Final Destination movies for deep themes. I am here for the chaos, the fake-outs, the wild deaths that make you stare at a ceiling fan like it’s a murder weapon. And on that front? Final Destination: Bloodlines delivers. Is it flawless? Nope. Is it fun? Absolutely. So let’s break it all down.

A family affair: What’s new in Final Destination: Bloodlines?

This isn’t just another group of teens cheating death after a plane crash or a highway pileup. Bloodlines adds a little lore.

It all starts in 1968 — we’re talking retro vibes, Johnny Cash playing, and a Skyview restaurant disaster that almost happens but doesn’t, thanks to a woman named Iris Campbell. That moment screws with Death’s design, and fifty-something years later, Iris’s granddaughter, Stefani (played by Kaitlyn Santa Juana), starts having nightmares about it.

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Turns out, cheating death isn’t a one-time thing. It's hereditary now. Stefani's entire family is cursed because Iris didn’t die when she was “supposed to.” And so the kill list begins again, with Stefani, her cousins, and her little brother suddenly seeing death around every corner.

If you’re thinking, “Wait, so this is like Final Destination meets generational trauma?” — you’re exactly right. They really tried to go deep with that. Did it fully land? Nah. But A+ for effort.

The deaths: Gory, absurd, and gloriously dumb

Let’s be honest: this is why we’re all here. And Final Destination: Bloodlines knows that.

The deaths are outrageous, creative, and completely unhinged — just how we like them. Highlights include:

Julia, who gets hit with a freaking playground ball and lands face-first in a dumpster. Real.
Erik whose death is so slow, detailed, and painful, you kind of feel bad but also can’t look away.
A tattoo parlor accident involving a bobblehead, a ceiling fan, and a septum piercing that should NOT be that deadly, but somehow is.
A backyard BBQ that turns into a full-blown Final Destination set piece.

There are fake-outs galore. You think someone’s gonna get sliced by a falling sign — nope, they get electrocuted. Or impaled. Or both.

And just when you think it can’t get any more chaotic, it does. The film leans into the “death is a petty little drama queen” energy and goes full campy carnage. It’s funny, gory, and absolutely delivers what fans have been waiting 14 years for.

Characters in Final Destination: Bloodlines: Some you love, some you lose, some just… exist

Stefani is a solid lead, not the most iconic final girl material, but she holds it down. Her brother Charlie (played by Isa Briones’ actual real-life brother Teo) is a standout. There’s even a weirdly cute moment where you realize this family’s got a whole acting-singing gene pool going.

But the real scene-stealer? Erik. Emo, dramatic, sarcastic, and weirdly magnetic — Richard Harmon carries every frame he’s in.

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The cousins are all kinda disposable (which makes sense because… well, death), but Stefani’s interactions with Iris (the grandmother) and her estranged mom Darlene try to bring emotional heft. Unfortunately, those scenes feel kind of forced and flat. Like, we get it: generational trauma, complicated moms, etc. But we’re here for blood, not therapy.

Also, shoutout to the surprise cameo from Kimberly (yes, that Kimberly from FD2) — still alive and kicking! And of course, the moment of silence (literally) for Tony Todd, who gives one final chilling yet heartwarming performance as Bludworth. The send-off is subtle and beautiful. You will cry.

Style, sound, and CGI that’s… mostly fine?

Visually, Final Destination: Bloodlines is solid. The opening ‘60s sequence is slick, and there’s some clever cinematography throughout. Sabrina Pitre’s editing builds suspense like a champ, especially in the fake-out sequences.

But the CGI? Mixed bag. Some of it’s great. Some of it looks like it was rendered during lunch break. A few moments (especially explosions) feel unfinished. Also, it could just be the theater copy, but some sound mixing was off. Like you’re in a deep convo and suddenly the mic cuts out? Not great.

Still, the vibe is there. Final Destination: Bloodlines knows exactly what it is and isn’t ashamed. That self-aware tone (thanks to writer Guy Busick, also behind Ready or Not and Abigail) is what keeps this from being a total mess.

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Final Destination: Bloodlines vs. the franchise: Where does it rank?

Let’s keep it real — Final Destination: Bloodlines isn’t topping FD2 or FD5, which had better pacing and tighter plotting. But it sure beats The Final Destination (the 3D one… we don’t talk about it).

If you’re ranking, it probably sits right around 2nd or 3rd place, depending on your taste. Here's a quick (and very real) ranking from a fan POV:

Final Destination 2
Final Destination: Bloodlines
Final Destination 5
Final Destination 3
Final Destination (OG)
The Final Destination (aka the flop one)

So yeah — it’s a solid comeback, even if it fumbles a few moments in the final act and leans too hard into “new lore” without giving it enough heart.

Final verdict: Should you watch it?

Yes. Especially if you’re a fan. It’s not a perfect movie. It doesn’t need to be.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is funny, gory, and surprisingly heartfelt in parts. The deaths are insane, the callbacks are plenty, and the energy is pure FD chaos. If you’ve been waiting over a decade for Death to come back and flex, this movie’s for you.

It honors the franchise’s past while trying (sometimes too hard) to add emotional depth. Even if it doesn’t always land, the ambition is appreciated. Plus, it’s a love letter to Tony Todd and all the wild ways this series has made us afraid of air conditioners, pool drains, and now...children’s toys.