However,Final Destination(and the many sequels it spawned) completely twisted the slasher premise.
That can be fun, but it’s also overdone.
What makes theFinal Destinationfilms work is that they are a combination of both.
Image by Jefferson Chacon
In horror, less is more.Not seeing the shark inJawsand never seeing the witch inThe Blair Witch Projectis terrifying.
That’s what madeFinal Destinationso scary as well.
you’re free to never see the villain coming.
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment
Instead of being super dark though,Final Destinationis countered by its over-the-top kills.
This isn’t going to be something simple, but an elaborate work of gory art.
Even the most observant horror fan might miss this.
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment
The fiveFinal Destinationfilms are nothing but brutality.Every single character who escapes death in the opening scene is doomed.
That might be predictable, but it’s countered by the suspense of their final moments.
Take, for example, the death of Tod (Chad Donella) in the first movie.
His last minutes in the bathroom are the winding of a jack-in-the-box.
The movie gives us so many possible scenarios (watch out for that loose screw!)
That’s simple, effective, easy-to-chew horror.
Every singleFinal Destinationhas the same process.
It’s a simple formula that doesn’t need to be overthought with wild subplots and world-building.
It’s the ideal horror.
It’s terrifying, it’s safe, but it still stays with us after the credits are over.
The filmmakers are certainly not phoning it in.
That’s exactly why the next movie will be a big hit too.
