By your Entertainment Journalist Following the runaway success of Leo and Vikram , filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj reunites with icon Rajinikanth for Coolie —an epic Tamil action thriller that aims to make a seismic impact this August. 🛠️ Genesis & Filmmaking Project announcement & production : Officially unveiled as Thalaivar 171 in September 2023 and retitled Coolie in April 2024, principal photography began mid‑2024, spanning Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jaipur, and Bangkok Crew highlights : Director & Writers : Lokesh Kanagaraj (story/screenplay) alongside Chandhru Anbazhagan . Music : Anirudh Ravichander – marking his fifth collaboration with Rajini and fourth with Lokesh . Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan and editing by Philomin Raj . Casting : Apart from Rajinikanth , the ensemble includes Nagarjuna Akkineni, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Soubin Shahir, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, and a special cameo by Aamir Khan ....
🗓️ Release & Background
Final Destination: Bloodlines premiered in IMAX and theaters globally on May 16, 2025, marking the 25th anniversary of the franchise and its first theatrical release in 14 years.
🧩 Plot Summary
College student Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) is haunted by premonitions of a 1969 tower collapse that once spared her grandmother, Iris (Brec Bassinger). But cheating Death comes at a price—now their entire bloodline is marked. Stefani and cousin Erik (Richard Harmon) rush to uncover Death’s pattern and protect their family from Rube Goldberg–style lethal traps.
🎭 Cast & Crew
- Kaitlyn Santa Juana anchors the film with genuine terror and emotional clarity.
- Richard Harmon brings charm and humor as Erik, whose dramatic MRI death is already a fan-favorite .
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Brec Bassinger as Iris adds depth to the intergenerational puzzle.
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Tony Todd returns in his final appearance as the mysterious William Bludworth, giving the film nostalgic gravitas.
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Directors: Zach Lipovsky & Adam Stein
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Writers: Guy Busick, Lori Evans Taylor, Jon Watts.
⚙️ Deathtraps & Style
True to the Final Destination legacy, everyday items—from nose rings to blender blades—create chain-reaction horrors that are both ingenious and pulse-pounding. The filmmakers layer in dark humor, making each tragedy as entertaining as it is grisly.
📊 Ratings & Reception
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Rotten Tomatoes (Critics): ~95% "Fresh"—the highest in the series
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AP News: ⭐ 2.5 / 4 – "Witty horror with elaborate kills"
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Vulture: Praised the return to franchise roots and clever deaths, though noted the climax was weaker
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Sun UK: Highlights balance of gore, humor, and nostalgia
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Audience buzz: Trailer hit ~179 million views in 24 hours—second‑most for a horror film
💰 Box Office
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Budget: Approx. $50 million
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Gross: $271.7 million worldwide—making it the franchise's highest-grossing entry and ninth-biggest film of 2025.
🔥 What Works & What Doesn’t
| ✅ Strengths | ⚠️ Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Ingenious death sequences (vending machines, MRI) | Climax feels rushed and less impactful |
| Strong performances—Santa Juana, Harmon, Todd | Character depth still secondary to thrills |
| Nostalgic callbacks (Bludworth’s return) | Some predictability in Death patterns |
✅ Final Verdict
Final Destination: Bloodlines is a triumphant revival—smart, gruesome, and full of fan-pleasing flair. It brings the franchise back to its roots, emphasizing inventive peril and dark humor. While the climax could be stronger and character arcs deeper, it hits the mark for both loyal fans and horror newbies.
Highly recommended for fans who enjoy creative kills, nostalgic ties, and sharp horror-comedy.
Maybe skip if you're looking for character-driven storytelling or subtlety over spectacle.
💬 Over to You
Have you survived Bloodlines yet? Which death trap had you frozen in your seat? Are you team Stefani or team Erik? Let us know your favorite moment below!
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