After a 14-year hiatus, the Final Destination franchise roared back to life with Final Destination: Bloodlines, hitting theaters on May 16, 2025. Fans and critics are calling it the best chapter yet, with early reviews praising its gruesome kills, fresh twists, and a heartfelt send-off for horror legend Tony Todd, who makes his final appearance as the enigmatic mortician William Bludworth. Social media is ablaze with reactions, from gasps over the gore to tears for Todd’s poignant farewell, cementing the film’s status as a bloody triumph.

The sixth installment, directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, shakes up the familiar formula. Instead of a group of friends dodging Death’s plan, Bloodlines centers on Stefanie (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), a college student plagued by violent nightmares tied to her grandmother’s 1968 premonition that saved lives at a doomed Skyview Tower. Because her grandmother cheated Death, Stefanie’s family—never meant to exist—is now in the Grim Reaper’s crosshairs. The cast, including Teo Briones, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick Joyner, Anna Lore, and Brec Bassinger, brings a messy, relatable family dynamic that makes the stakes hit harder. “The family angle makes you care about these characters,” posted @ItzzM3L3xx on social media, echoing a common sentiment.

Critics are raving about the film’s balance of nostalgia and innovation. Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky called it “so much freaking fun” and “the best one since the first,” highlighting its “gnarly deaths” and “likeable cast.” Russ Milheim from The Direct praised its “unique hook” and “brutal deaths” that take the franchise “to an entirely different level.” On Rotten Tomatoes, Bloodlines debuted with a 91% approval rating based on 48 reviews, outshining every previous entry, including Final Destination 5’s 63%. “It’s not just a reboot—it’s the series growing up,” wrote a reviewer on stories.jobaaj.com, noting its deeper lore and emotional weight. Fans on social media agree, with @TilloJames27 ranking it above the 2000 original, though some, like @rogXue, griped about “bad CGI deaths” and a “thin” story.

The kills are a major draw, living up to director Lipovsky’s promise of “a lot of deaths.” Reviewers describe Rube Goldberg-style sequences that turn everyday objects—a trampoline, a beer bottle, a leaf blower—into instruments of doom. “The deaths are grotesque and absurd in a good way,” one social media user posted, while Time Out noted they’re “amusingly repellent” rather than Saw-level repulsive. Richard Harmon’s emo cousin Erik steals scenes, with his piercing parlor death called “one of the most disturbing” in the series. The film even broke a world record by setting a 71-year-old stuntwoman on fire, a bold flex of its commitment to practical effects.

Tony Todd’s final performance as Bludworth is the heart of the film. Todd, who passed away in November 2024 at 69, filmed his scenes while visibly frail but poured his soul into the role. His largely improvised monologue, urging characters to “enjoy every second” of life, doubles as a goodbye to fans, leaving audiences in tears. “It’s the first genuine tearjerker moment in the series,” wrote Meagan Navarro for Bloody Disgusting. Producer Craig Perry told Deadline that Todd’s illness made the scene “bittersweet,” while directors Lipovsky and Stein let him speak from the heart, revealing Bludworth’s backstory—a first for the franchise. “His scene hit me hard,” posted @SpookyHorrorGal on social media, capturing the emotional weight.

Not everyone’s sold. Some fans, like @xXSonTJXx, found the characters weak, comparing it to a “Scream” knockoff, and others felt it strayed too far from the classic vibe. The third act and some CGI-heavy moments drew criticism, with Casey’s Movie Mania calling them “underwhelming” and “shoddy.” Still, the consensus leans heavily positive. Gizmodo dubbed it “the best film in the franchise,” praising its tweaks to the formula without breaking it, and The Hollywood Reporter said it’ll win over “a new generation of fans.”

Bloodlines also nods to its roots with Easter eggs and a killer soundtrack featuring Creedence Clearwater Revival and the Isley Brothers. Its 1-hour-50-minute runtime keeps the pace tight, earning praise for cutting the fat of past entries. With a script by Scream 7’s Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, based on a story by Jon Watts, the film feels both fresh and faithful. Whether it’s the “jaw-on-the-floor creative” kills or Todd’s haunting farewell, Final Destination: Bloodlines has fans screaming, cringing, and crying—proving Death still has some wicked tricks up its sleeve.