The Best ‘Final Destination Bloodlines’ Kill Was a Clever Homage to ‘Final Destination 5’ [Images]

Now playing in theaters, Final Destination Bloodlines is loaded with carnage candy, but there’s one particular kill scene that we selected as the movie’s very best for a reason.

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK…

It’s the death of fan favorite character Erik Campbell (Richard Harmon) that hurts the most, with the lovable asshole literally sucked into an MRI machine, folded in half, and gorily speared through the torso by a metal wheelchair that’s sucked in behind him. In an article this week, Jenn Addams calls it “one of the most brutal executions in franchise history.”

Jenn describes the gnarly hospital scene, “An MRI machine surges to research level power. Metal objects begin hurtling forward including the multiple piercings adorning Erik’s body. Earrings, nose rings, nipple rings and a Prince Albert all rip through his tender flesh, but they’re nothing compared to the large wheelchair he’s pulled into the room. The assistive device pins Erik to the machine and bends his body backwards as it’s sucked into the cylindrical chamber. Bones and organs puncture his tattooed flesh as the wheelchair slowly pulls his torso apart.”

It’s painful just to read that, isn’t it? But did you spot the Easter Egg homage to previous franchise installment Final Destination 5 in the gruesome dismemberment of Erik Campbell?!

Erik is rocking a tattooed skull on his torso, and the skull is cleverly impaled by the twisted metal of the wheelchair as he’s sucked into the aforementioned MRI machine. The nasty imagery creates a near identical replica of the official poster art for Final Destination 5 (seen below), which also featured a giant skull being impaled through the eye and mouth holes.

And yes, that tribute was intentional!

In response to a fan pointing out the homage on Twitter, Final Destination Bloodlines makeup FX artist Todd Masters quote-tweeted the observation with a simple “good eye.” And a photo of the original concept drawing for the death that Masters shared on Instagram this week (below) makes it clear that the kill scene was indeed designed as a Final Destination 5 homage!

Did you spot any other references to past Final Destination movies in Final Destination Bloodlines? There are certainly more than a couple of them. Comment below and let us know!

Head over to Fangoria for insights and behind the scenes images from Masters and his team.

Good eye! https://t.co/hMFQA8wIHu

— Todd Masters (@ToddMasters) May 19, 2025