New Line Cinema, Practical Pictures, Freshman Year and Fireside Films’ Final Destination: Bloodlines (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is about a young lady, Iris (Brec Bassinger), who had a premonition of death many years ago. She saved not only herself and her fiancé, Paul (Max Lloyd-Jones), but also all the others who were to die in the accident she had foreseen. Anyway, the lives of all those saved due to Iris’ premonition are claimed one by one by Death. Iris isolates herself from the family and tricks Death so that she and all her descendants (who would never have been born had Iris not had the premonition and thereby saved herself that day) can remain alive. Years later, her grand-daughter, Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) has weird dreams about the grandmother’s premonition. Having never met her grandmother thus far, Stefani sets out to meet her and understand what’s the reason for her scary dreams. Iris explains to Stefani and hands her a log book which contains information of how one can get to know when Death would strike and who would be the next victim. Stefani tries to save her family members because she is convinced that all of them were not meant to be born in the first place. In her pursuit to cheat Death, she meets J.B. (Tony Todd) who gives her a tip on how to avoid Death. Is Stefani able to hoodwink Death and save her family members comprising her estranged mother (who has returned to the family fold many years later), younger brother, aunts, uncles and cousins? Or do they die one after another?
Jon Watts, Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor have written a story which is very unusual. It is frightening that someone can predict death so completely. The screenplay, penned by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, has thrilling and exciting moments but it does get too gory after a point of time. The deaths have been shown in such horrific, graphic and gory detail that it can shake the viewer. Yes, there is a dash of humour but even the nervous laughter in those scenes doesn’t quite nullify the impact of the inherent feeling of horror one experiences while watching the drama unfold. The climax comes as a shock just as many other scenes do.
Kaitlyn Santa Juana does a fine job as Stefani who is haunted by nightmares of a 1968 tower collapse. Teo Briones is natural as her younger brother, Charlie. Richard Harmon is good as Stefani’s cousin, Erik Campbell. Owen Patrick Joyner is alright as Stefani’s cousin, Bobby Campbell. Rya Khilstedt lives the role of Stefani’s estranged mother, Darlene Campbell. Anna Lore is okay as Stefani’s cousin, Julia Campbell. Gabrielle Rose shines as Iris Campbell, Stefani’s grandmother. Brec Bassinger is lovely as young Iris Campbell. Tony Todd makes his mark as J.B. William Bludworth. Jayden Oniah has his moments as little William Bludworth. Tinpo Lee plays Stefani’s father ably. April Terek leaves her mark as Stefani’s aunt, Brenda Campbell. Alex Zahara is nice as Iris’ son, Howard Campbell. Max Lloyd-Jones performs well as Iris’ fiancé, Paul. Brenna Llewellyn is good in a brief role as Stefani’s college roommate, Val. Yvette Ferguson, Mark Brandon and the others lend the desired support.
Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein’s direction is very nice. Tim Wynn’s background music is impactful. Christian Sebaldt’s cinematography is fantastic. Rachel O’Toole’s production designing, and Shannon Grover and Natasha Stoesz’s art direction are appropriate. Sabrina Pitre’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is lovely.
On the whole, Final Destination: Bloodlines is depressing but it has the thrill quotient in good measure. Yet, it will not be able to realise its full box-office potential because its business will be limited by the fact that Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (which will release on 17th May) will pose stiff competition to it.
Released on 14-5-’25 at MovieMax Kanjurmarg (1 show; in daily 3 shows from 15-5-’25) and some cinemas and on 15-5-’25 at Maratha Mandir (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Warner Bros. Pictures (India) Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: alright. …….Also released all over. Opening was fair at many places.