`Revisiting Final Destination 25 Years Later Is a Recipe for Disaster`

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25 years ago, I watched “Final Destination” at my friend’s house for the first and last time, and the fear I felt during that viewing has stayed with me ever since. With “Final Destination: Bloodlines” being one of the most anticipated horror films in 2025, I decided to revisit the series, starting with the original film. Despite expecting not to be overwhelmed by anxiety, I was proven wrong after watching it again on my Max subscription.

So, so wrong.

Viewing “Final Destination” as an adult in 2025 was just as thrilling, frightening, and nerve-wracking as it was when I was 12 years old. In fact, some of the memorable death scenes from this classic horror film had a greater impact on me now than they did back in 2000.

The Build-up To The Plane Crash Had My Heart Racing

Even after 25 years since I last saw Final Destination, the vivid memory of its opening plane crash scene, as imagined by Alex Browning (Devon Sawa), remains unshaken. This pivotal moment, which served as a powerful draw for the movie’s initial trailer, has left an indelible mark on me and continues to be a source of my discomfort with air travel.

As soon as I saw Alex and his classmates heading to the airport, my pulse quickened, and a knot formed in my stomach. The impending events had me on edge – from the fluctuating flight schedules, the uncanny alignment of his birthday and departure date, to the colossal size of the aircraft – it all added up to an uneasy feeling.

When the plane tragically exploded, leaving the survivors in a state of sorrow and bewilderment, I thought the worst had passed. However, little did I know that more hardships were yet to come…

Then I Remembered The Bathroom Scene Was Coming

In “Final Destination,” approximately 39 days following the tragic accident, the next fatal event occurs. However, these minutes didn’t find me in a state of calm contemplation as Alex puzzled over his premonition or the reason behind his and others’ survival. Instead, I was on edge, eagerly anticipating the sequence that would unfold next…

The moment Tod Waggner (Chad Donella) stepped into the bathroom and began shaving, my anxiety skyrocketed. To put it bluntly, I involuntarily hid my face and gnawed on my nails – that’s how stressed I was. Adding to the tension, water from the toilet spilled onto the floor, then he unplugged the radio, and lastly, I noticed a clothesline in the shower. I could only respond by shaking my head, taking a deep breath, and struggling to endure the next two minutes. Now, this scene has left me feeling quite apprehensive about many things, even using a bathroom.

The Slow Build To Valerie’s Violent Death Had Me Screaming ‘Come On With It’ At The TV

I must admit, Valerie Lewton’s (Kristen Cloke) demise in the middle of Final Destination left me feeling rather on edge and aggravated. Frankly, I found myself imploring the TV screen as I was subjected to this prolonged sequence of potential fatalities. The finicky stove, shattered mug, sharp knives, John Denver’s tunes playing on the record player, even the computer screen – it seemed like a deadly game of guessing which one would ultimately claim her life. I found myself in a frenzy, attempting to decipher the impending doom.

During that almost five-minute sequence, I found myself becoming incredibly tense, to the point where I contemplated fast-forwarding past it, forgetting it was streaming rather than on DVD. Yet, the skillful direction by James Wong in constructing this scene – filled with intense drama and Valerie’s poignant last moments before getting struck by a fragment of computer screen, then stabbed, and presumably burned – was nothing short of brilliant.

The Other Deaths Happened So Fast, But That Honestly Made Me Even More Anxious

In the movie “Final Destination,” the three other fatalities occur swiftly compared to the others, yet this doesn’t make them any less nerve-wracking. Quite the contrary, the sudden and brutal manner in which these events unfold only intensified my feelings of anxiety.

Initially, Terry Chaney (played by Amanda Detmer) meets a gruesome end when struck by a swift-moving train. This chilling scene slipped my mind until she began to step into the roadway, but as I comprehended the impending danger, time seemed to slow down. Subsequently, Billy Hitchcock (depicted by Seann William Scott in an unusual role) suffers a grisly fate when he is beheaded by shrapnel following the incident where their car stalls on railway tracks. Lastly, Carter Horton (Kerr Smith) meets his unfortunate demise under the weight of a collapsing sign in Paris, just before the end credits.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed that many movie deaths are swift and abrupt, happening just as suddenly as life itself. One moment, we’re engaged in conversation about the flow of existence, and the next, it’s all over. This serves as a poignant reminder that death doesn’t always come after a long struggle; it can strike without warning, underscoring the fragility of our time on this earth.

I Thought About Immediately Watching Final Destination 2 But I Needed A Break

Last night, when my family retired early for the evening, I found myself alone with the captivating world of “Final Destination”. The suspenseful storyline involving Alex Browning and Clear Rivers (Ali Larter) was so engrossing that I was tempted to continue straight into “Final Destination 2” without a pause. However, I must confess, I needed a breather before diving back in for more. This doesn’t mean my excitement for the 2003 sequel has waned. On the contrary, I’m eager to revisit this classic film after nearly two decades have passed, to see if the initial car pile-up scene still sends shivers down my spine as it did back then (I must admit, my discomfort with being near log trucks remains unchanged).

At the appropriate moment, I’ll be certain to write down my ideas and share them with everyone, expressing my perspectives. However, prior to that, I plan on taking things slow, staying vigilant, and ensuring my home is free of any potential dangers.

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2025-02-14 00:07