The sixth installment of the Final Destination franchise has hit theaters, but how promising is this sequel compared to its predecessors? Final Destination: Bloodlines is a story set in the present day, but also hints at a past timeline. While nodding to elements of past sequels, Final Destination: Bloodlines can be viewed as a standalone movie or part of the main storyline, largely due to its writing.
Final Destination: Bloodlines – The Story
The movie opens up in the 1960s with a young woman named Iris, played by actress Brec Bassinger, who is driving in the passenger seat while being blind folded by her boyfriend Paul. Paul is surprising Iris with reservations at the new Skyline restaurant, which opened up recently. The Skyline is at least 20 stories tall and is built like a disc resting on top of a narrow pole.
Final Destination – The Set Up
Once Iris arrives, she is in awe and excited to spend the evening with the love of her life. From the lobby to the rooftop, Iris’ emotions go from being overjoyed to becoming extremely nervous, while traveling to higher heights to get to the restaurant. Eventually, Paul takes Iris to the rooftop to propose, where Iris accepts, while noting to Paul that they are going to be having their first child, which Paul becomes elated in hearing.
Irony and Foreshadowing
The song “Shout” originally written by The Isley Brothers, begins to play, and everyone is celebrating. But that celebration leads to dread, as literal shouting begins to occur as people fall through the building that is gradually collapsing beneath their feet, and a fire erupts at the other side of the building. Only two people are left alive on what’s left of the Skyline being Iris and a small Black boy whose mother, who sang at the Skyline, died while trying to keep her safe. Iris rushes to the boy’s aid, but eventually, they meet a tragic end, or so it seems.
Fast Forward to the Present
As Iris and the boy plummet to their demise, Stefani, played by actress Kaitlyn Santa Juana, wakes up in the middle of a college lecture after witnessing this nightmare, and so our story begins. This is the first time that the main lead in the franchise has had a premonition about something that occurred in the past.
Final Destination: Bloodlines – Mission Objective
Stefani, for every night that she has slept for the past two months, has had the same dream involving the deaths of the Skyline for every night. This has caused her grades to slip back, where she could lose her scholarship. With not having a peaceful night’s sleep for so long, Stefani is determined to uncover the mystery of the Skyline and the people in it.
Final Destination – The Final Countdown
Final Destination: Bloodlines, like its predecessors, is filled with cleverly crafted cut sequences and foreshadowing elements. For those who are familiar with the past five movies, the sixth installment will cause you to ask questions and wonder how deep the lore goes. The film, although gory, will keep you guessing to the very end with unique twists and turns that fit well within the overall tale.
