Over 10 years have passed since people last escaped death, only to be hunted by it, in the Final Destination franchise. The first five films helped the franchise gain a sizable fan base but the creative team gave the concept a nice long break before bringing it back. And bring it back they did, possibly better than ever, according to the first reactions to Final Destination: Bloodlines.
The sixth film in the franchise continues the mythology set forth by the 2000 original and its sequel, but does so in a way that reimagines things ever so slightly. It’s right there in the title: “Bloodlines.” This time, Death is coming not just for some random people who happened to be on a plane or roller coaster. It’s coming for an entire family who should not, according to Death, exist.
Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, Final Destination: Bloodlines opens on May 16 and it screened recently for fans and critics. Almost overwhelmingly, the reaction to it was positive. Here are just some of the reactions.
#FinalDestinationBloodlines is a splatterrific blast! A fun, frightening nightmare factory of gleeful gore. Sharp Rube Goldberg death traps perfectly finesse tension, dark comedy & blood-drenched carnage. Easily a franchise fave. #FinalDestination #Bloodlines @newlinecinema pic.twitter.com/Js8W1LpU71
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) April 30, 2025
I am a VERY happy Final Destination fan right now. #FinalDestinationBloodlines just gets it.
The movie is packed with clever and extremely well executed set pieces that very successfully scratch the itch the 2000 original started – the twisted thrill of seeing the outrageous… pic.twitter.com/VmyKRr1Brh
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) April 30, 2025
#FinalDestinationBloodlines is absolutely nuts. 😱
The franchise really takes its extremely brutal deaths to an entirely different level.#Bloodlines has a very unique hook that should satisfy audiences & lifelong fans, while the family dynamic is a wonderful addition. pic.twitter.com/ZhRNnC7uP9
— 𝘏𝘖𝘙𝘙𝘖𝘙 𝘜𝘕𝘐𝘝𝘌𝘙𝘚𝘈𝘓 (@UnlHorror_) April 30, 2025
#FinalDestination Bloodlines is absolutely nuts.
The franchise really takes its extremely brutal deaths to an entirely different level.#Bloodlines has a very unique hook that should satisfy audiences & lifelong fans, while the family dynamic is a wonderful addition. pic.twitter.com/NjxENzzfwL
— Russ Milheim – The Direct (@RussMilheim) April 30, 2025
#FinalDestination #Bloodlines breathes new death into this iconic franchise. A killer entry that delivers a bloody smorgasbord of demises that are jaw-on-the-floor creative. This fresh take on the lore delivers a narrative rich with opportunity. A crowd shocker worth waiting for. pic.twitter.com/4pxTV2NS9v
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) April 30, 2025
Ahhh, I had such a good time watching people die horribly! Final Destination: Bloodlines very much delivers – Zach Lipovsky & Adam Stein completely get the tone. And Tony Todd’s appearance is a truly lovely one, honoring both William Bludworth and the awesome man who played him. https://t.co/bjPRSwIEPq
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) April 30, 2025
. #FinalDestination: Bloodlines 🩸Must-Watch on the freaking biggest screen with a crowd !!! 😱Absolutely Anxiety-inducing, wildly traumatizing and yet insanely creative deaths.
Features some of the Best kills in the franchise!Also beautiful last moments of #tonytodd @FDMovie pic.twitter.com/Clk8NVFm54
— GothamGeekGirl | Nadya Martinez (@GothamGeekGirl) April 30, 2025
Holy S#%T #finaldestinationbloodlines was a F'N blast! It's a gloriously bloody fun time filled with incredible deaths and stomach churning moments. It's an excellent entry to the franchise that you need to watch with friends. And a beautiful tribute to the late Tony Todd. pic.twitter.com/UbvFj5UZz0
— Junior Felix (@JuniorFett) April 30, 2025
And finally, this guy:
Yes, I’m among the people who have seen the film and while I can’t give it a full review just yet, having recently rewatched and ranked the first five films, I stand by what I said. It’s the best of the bunch. Bloodlines does exactly what I wanted from a Final Destination movie: it was super entertaining, filled with hilarious, inventive, gross kills, but it also tweaks things ever so slightly without breaking the formula, keeping you on your toes the entire time. Plus, the whole idea of a family being the victim reshapes your idea of the franchise in some noteworthy ways. We won’t say more than that.
Starring Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, and Tony Todd in possibly his final performance, Final Destination: Bloodlines opens May 16.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
English (US) ·