After over a decade of silence, the Final Destination franchise is set to make a chilling comeback with Final Destination: Bloodlines.
This new movie is scheduled for theatrical release on May 16, 2025. It marks the sixth installment in the long-running horror series and arrives 14 years after Final Destination 5.
Helmed by directing duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, Bloodlines aims to revive the franchise for a new generation while staying true to the formula that has made the series a staple of the genre.
Kayleen Benites Flores, a senior at ERHS, says, “I’m so very excited! Last summer, I watched all the Final Destination movies with my cousins. At first, I wasn’t very fond of it and I’d say I’m still not very fond of gorey movies but there’s something that sets these movies apart. But, yes! I am gonna go see it when it comes out!”
Mild Spoilers Ahead
The plot of Bloodlines centers on Stefani Reyes, a college student plagued by recurring nightmares of a 1968 construction disaster involving a tower collapse.
These visions soon unravel into a deeper mystery connected to her family’s past, a past that seems to have tampered with Death’s carefully laid design.
As Stefani digs further, she uncovers a generational curse that suggests her family has been living on borrowed time.
The film stars Kaitlyn Santa Juana in the lead role, supported by a young ensemble cast including Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, and Brec Bassinger.
Tony Todd reprises his iconic role as the enigmatic mortician William Bludworth, bringing continuity to the franchise’s lore.
End of Spoilers
In terms of innovation, Bloodlines introduces new visual techniques that heighten the tension and storytelling.
An IMAX-exclusive version of the film includes shifting aspect ratios used to signal the presence of death, providing a visual cue unavailable in standard or home releases.
The film also has the longest runtime in the series to date, with approximately 110 minutes, allowing for more character development and plot layering than previous entries.
Initial critical reception may suggest that the film may meet, if not exceed, fan expectations.
Early screenings have drawn praise for the imaginative and suspenseful death sequences, a hallmark of the franchise.
Critics have often highlighted the film’s ability to blend the absurdly elaborate death scenes the series is known for with character-driven storytelling and moments of dark humor.
Rachel Cong, a senior at ERHS, shares her opinion, “I remember watching clips from the older Final Destination movies and was always amused over how some of the scenes came to be. I am excited for when it comes out and people start releasing new clips.”
Outlets such as The Guardian and Cinemablend noted that Bloodlines both honors the franchise’s past and refreshes its themes in a meaningful way.
Some reviewers have even suggested it could be the strongest entry in the franchise.
As Final Destination approaches its 25th anniversary, Bloodlines serves as both a reboot and a reverent continuation.
Whether it ultimately reinvigorates the series long-term remains to be seen, but its blend of innovation, nostalgia, and franchise continuity positions it as one of the most anticipated horror releases this year.
The film’s exploration of inherited fate and the cost of evading death may resonate with both loyal fans and newcomers alike.
For now, audiences around the globe can prepare to once again confront the inevitability of fate, only this time, with a bloodline on the line.
