David’s Download: Final Destination Bloodlines and Bring Her Back

Last week, David’s Download covered two Memorial Day Weekend releases about friendship, and this week, we are taking a closer look at two horror movies that hit theaters in May: Final Destination Bloodlines and Bring Her Back.

Final Destination Bloodlines

The Drive Home’s Raw Riders already know that I am a diehard fan of the Final Destination series. (Check out last month’s download in which I ranked each installment for more on that!) Thus, it should come as no surprise that I loved Final Destination Bloodlines (and saw it twice in theaters!).

Screenwriter Guy Busick, who also successfully revived the Scream franchise after a decade-long absence, has brought some great new ideas to the Final Destination lore with this sixth entry. Rather than focusing on a group of strangers, this sequel adapts the horrific formula into a family drama, which raises the emotional stakes and lends itself to some fun plot twists.

The acting in the movie isn’t going to win any awards, but it’s a pleasure to see Tony Todd back (for his final role) as William Bludworth, bringing gravitas to the outlandish proceedings. Nonetheless, the acting is not why anybody is buying a ticket to a Final Destination flick. We are seated for the gory death scenes, and boy, does this sequel deliver!

The inciting disaster of a skyscraper collapse is one of the stronger opening sequences of the series, and there are a couple of all-time deaths that follow. I’m now afraid I’ll never be able to book an MRI appointment!

In short, Final Destination Bloodlines understands its assignment and leaves no crumbs. It’s a rollicking fun (and gruesome) time at the movies, and in today’s world, sometimes that’s exactly what audiences need. I would love to see another sequel in a few years… perhaps one that kicks off with a catastrophe at a Charli XCX concert?

Bring Her Back

On the flip side, Bring Her Back is a horror movie with more on its mind than wild death scenes, although there is some gnarly violence sprinkled throughout Danny and Michael Philippou’s latest feature.

The movie follows Piper, a young girl with severe vision impairment, and her step-brother Andy, who are adopted by a strange woman named Laura after their father passes away. Laura also has a son named Oliver who has become mute after the passing of his own sister, Cathy. In classic horror movie fashion, Piper and Andy discover there is more than what meets the eye in this new home as Laura’s peculiar behavior gives way to a horrifying occult ritual.

Sally Hawkins is brilliantly cast against type, as viewers may be used to seeing her in lighter fare such as Paddington or Happy-Go-Lucky. Her quirky-verging-on-creepy energy will make you leery of Laura, but Hawkins also brings an effervescence that makes you feel for the character. She is well-matched by Sora Wong and Billy Barratt as Piper and Andy, respectively.

I don’t want to give away more than the above, since Bring Her Back delivers a compelling original story, packed with resonant themes about how different people cope with grief. Much of the imagery and ideas will leave you thinking and/or shuddering long after your viewing. If you are looking for a fun horror movie, this is not it, but definitely worth the watch!