Final Destination Bloodlines delivers one of the best performances in the exhilarating, gutsy six-movie franchise. Queer horror fans have eagerly anticipated its release, excited to see how and where the vengeance of death originated. We had the chance to watch the movie in its stunning, blood-soaked glory in 4DX, which we highly recommend for the authentic thrills and chills. Here’s what we loved about the film.
Spoilers below!
The film begins in the 1960s, introducing a young couple, Iris (Brec Bassinger) and Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones), on a date at the grand opening of a tall skyscraper restaurant. However, in true Final Destination fashion, the environment reveals subtle dysfunctions as they enter the restaurant. The host quickly turns the two away because it’s so crowded, but when the host steps aside, Iris suggests sneaking off to the bar to blend in with the crowd, which works. Paul runs off to get them champagne to celebrate, feeling relieved the night wasn’t ruined.
Iris feels and looks notably ill as she realizes how high up they are and rushes to a water fountain, where we discover she’s pregnant. Then, she has a vision of Paul proposing on the rooftop, followed by the entire place collapsing.
Entertainment with an edge
Whether you’re into indie comics, groundbreaking music, or queer cinema, we’re here to keep you in the loop.
After witnessing the establishment’s impending demise, she creates a huge scene and successfully convinces everyone to retreat to safety. The film quickly transitions to the present, where Iris’ granddaughter Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) continues to have visions of the incident despite not knowing Iris or having been alive at that time. We also learn that Stefani is in college and has been experiencing this recurring nightmare for two months without relief, prompting her to return home for answers.
She isn’t the best sister, daughter, or even cousin, which she realizes when she sees how close everyone has become since she left for college, remaining unaware of the changes in their lives.
Related
Summer horror is on its way
Try again Marvel
Stefani reluctantly approaches her uncle Howard (Alex Zahara) to inquire about her grandmother, since her mother, Darlene (Rya Kihlstedt), left their family without explanation. He promptly dismisses her concerns and asserts that their mother, Iris, is unstable because she imposed a terrible, sheltered upbringing on them due to her obsession with death and her alleged ability to foresee their future.
Stefani doesn’t take no for an answer and asks Howard’s wife, who quietly suggests checking a drawer in the dining room for Iris’ contact information. When she meets her grandmother, Iris tells her that death is coming for their family and hands her a book filled with years’ worth of information about death’s patterns, targets, and ways to avoid it.
We love the chaos that ensues once she takes the book! Iris meets a quick, gruesome death to show Stefani the reality of their situation, which spooks her enough to warn the family.
Without revealing too much, the film presents a refreshing storyline about accepting death, the consequences of evading it, the importance of reconciling with family, and the complexities of navigating grief. The dynamic among the cousins was bittersweet because everyone was so likable and disordered, which made them feel like a real family. The deaths were wildly creative, disturbing, and at times, challenging to watch (in the best way).
However, despite how wickedly good the movie was, we can’t forget to mention the heartbreaking goodbye from the legend, Tony Todd. According to IGN, producer Craig Perry revealed that the directors offered Todd an unscripted chance to speak to the fans as a farewell. “Our directors, they made a very shrewd decision to take the last couple of lines that were scripted and said, ‘Tony, just, just say what you would want to say to the fans. What would you like to impart to them in this moment?” Perry shared. “So, everything that makes that scene so emotional is authentic because that was just Tony talking through the camera to the very fans who supported him for so many years. It was a very magical moment on set. It was an impactful moment, and it’s one I’ll take with me until I go to the grave.”
We bid a tearful goodbye to Tony Todd, but he will never be forgotten, and his impact will live forever. If you haven’t seen Final Destination Bloodlines yet, please do!
Sign up for the INTO newsletter and get your twice-weekly dose of stories that shape the queer experience, culture, and lifestyle.
