Bloodlines Review – Death gets a gruesome makeover in the franchise’s most fun entry yet

The Final Destination franchise has always been about one thing—transforming everyday fears into unforgettable, gut-twisting nightmares. With Final Destination: Bloodlines, the sixth installment in the cult horror series, the filmmakers don’t just raise the stakes—they reimagine them. Fast-paced, wildly inventive, and unapologetically gory, this new chapter might just be the franchise's most entertaining outing yet.

A Family Curse with a Deadly Twist

Bloodlines wastes no time getting back to its roots—with a spine-chilling premonition. In classic Final Destination fashion, the film opens with a fiery disaster at the Sky View restaurant five decades ago. But this time, someone survives. Iris Campbell, plagued by a vision, manages to save dozens. Fast forward to today, and her granddaughter Stefani Reyes begins having similar visions. When she reconnects with her estranged grandmother, a horrifying truth emerges: cheating death comes at a cost, and now their bloodline must pay.

This addition of a family curse element adds a refreshing layer to the series’ tried-and-tested formula. Rather than following a random group of victims, Bloodlines connects its characters through lineage—giving the concept of “inevitable death” an inherited, inescapable feel.

The Deaths: More Inventive, More Gruesome

Let’s face it, people don’t watch Final Destination movies for Oscar-winning performances—they watch for the chaos, the suspense, and the ridiculously complex ways in which Death claims its due. In that regard, Bloodlines delivers in spades.

While the first half of the film is unusually restrained—barely featuring any deaths after the opening sequence—it smartly uses that time to build atmosphere and tease the domino effects to come. Once the carnage begins, it’s a symphony of shock, awe, and blood-soaked creativity. Each death is a masterclass in Rube Goldberg-style horror, made to horrify and entertain all at once.

And just when you think you’ve seen it all, Bloodlines pulls off the impossible: it surprises a jaded, gore-hardened audience with moments that are genuinely gasp-worthy.

What Falls Short—And Why It Doesn’t Matter

Sure, the acting isn’t great. Dialogue often feels stilted, and the characters come off more as archetypes than real people. But in the Final Destination universe, that’s almost a feature, not a bug. You’re not watching for deep emotional arcs—you’re watching to see how the universe bends and twists to deliver a fatal blow in the most unexpected way.

The film also cleverly nods to past entries, dropping Easter eggs that longtime fans will appreciate—yes, including a callback to that infamous logging truck scene. But it never feels forced or nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake. Instead, these moments are sly winks that enhance the experience without overshadowing the new story.

Campy Horror Done Right

Where Bloodlines really shines is in its tone. It never takes itself too seriously—and that’s a good thing. Leaning into camp, dark humor, and classic horror tropes, it revives the genre’s playful spirit. From macabre jokes to clever misdirections, the film walks the fine line between horror and hilarity, making you laugh just as you’re wincing.

And perhaps that’s the franchise’s real magic. Somehow, it makes death... fun. Bloodlines may not be high art, but it’s high entertainment—a grotesque thrill ride that reminds us why we loved this franchise in the first place.

Verdict: Final Destination: Bloodlines is a brutal, bloody, and bizarrely joyful return to form. A must-watch for horror fans who appreciate a clever death and a dark laugh.