On May 16, the horror franchise Final Destination makes its return to theaters with the new installment titled Final Destination: Bloodlines, after a 14-year absence. This latest film introduces a novel twist on the series’ established theme, transforming death’s approach into a generational curse. In the original five films, death orchestrated elaborate accidents using everyday objects to claim the lives of individuals who had narrowly escaped its grasp.
The Directors’ Vision
Helmed by directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, this sequel brings fresh perspectives while honoring the legacy of its predecessors. They studied past films for visual and narrative cues, ensuring that Bloodlines respects the franchise’s roots even as it innovates.
Overview of Freaks
Prior to this, Lipovsky and Stein crafted a distinct thriller titled Freaks. This suspenseful film intertwines elements of mystery and psychological drama, reminiscent of 10 Cloverfield Lane. It’s best to approach Freaks without prior knowledge, allowing the story’s twists to unfold organically.
Plot and Themes
The narrative centers on Chloe Lewis, portrayed by Lexy Kolker, a seven-year-old who has never ventured beyond her dilapidated home. Her father, Henry (Emile Hirsch), keeps the windows shut and the doors fortified, insisting this is to protect her from dangerous outsiders. Their life consists of monotonous meals of canned food and sporadic trips Henry takes to gather supplies.
Chloe’s sheltered life casts her suburban environment in a post-apocalyptic light. Her curiosity often clashes with her father’s fearful protective instincts. Despite limited interaction with the outside world, Chloe is taught to conceal her identity and navigate various pressures through meditation techniques, revealing a complex dynamic that raises questions about parenting and control.
Mystery and Suspense
The film gradually unveils its mystery through Chloe’s perspective, showcasing a distorted reality filled with peculiar characters and unsettling occurrences. She observes strange happenings from her window, including a suspicious ice cream man and bizarre visions that suggest there’s more at play than her father admits. These elements combine to create a haunting atmosphere, as the film explores moral ambiguity and the complexities of familial relationships.
Balance of Humor and Disturbance
While Freaks delves into dark themes, it also offers comedic moments, particularly through the interactions between Hirsch and Dern, who provide contrasting views on Chloe’s upbringing. The film features impressive action sequences that prioritize creativity and emotional depth over special effects, drawing comparisons to works like Sense8 and Chronicle.
Critique and Reception
Though the film is compelling, it suffers from pacing issues due to excessive exposition that detracts from its impact. Additionally, Lipovsky and Stein attempt to weave in a political commentary on minority persecution and societal labels, which may feel forced to some viewers. Nevertheless, Freaks offers an engaging experience filled with unexpected developments and culminates in a satisfying conclusion.
Freaks is currently available for streaming on Netflix and can be rented or purchased digitally on platforms like Amazon and Apple TV Plus.