Podcast Summary: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #7 – “Final Destination Bloodlines”

Date: October 25, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & TJ Holmes
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

In this Halloween season episode, Amy Robach and TJ Holmes spotlight number seven on their “Deep Cuts Horror Hit List”: Final Destination Bloodlines (2025), the sixth installment in the long-running Final Destination franchise. The hosts discuss what makes this recent release a standout, its connections to earlier films, the emotional and genre significance of Tony Todd’s final performance, and why the series still delivers its signature blend of suspense, creative death scenes, and black humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why This Recent Sequel Makes the List

• Not Just Riding the Hype: Amy acknowledges that including a current hit could seem like they’re “caught up in the moment” but emphasizes its genuine merit and huge Rotten Tomatoes score (>90%) and $300+ million box office [03:06, 04:35].
• Definition of a Deep Cut: TJ clarifies that their list avoids horror “classics everyone knows,” instead spotlighting films that are either overlooked or offer something fresh—even if they’re commercial hits [03:48].
• Personal Discovery: TJ notes he only discovered the series in recent years, crediting Amy’s influence and faulting “better promotion recently” [03:48].

The Final Destination Formula, Explained

• Premise Recap: Amy and TJ breakdown the basic formula: a large disaster seen in a character’s premonition, who then tries to cheat death—only for fate to come after them in ever-more elaborate ways [06:19–07:43].

  • “Every single one, at the beginning… you see this big disaster happen and then you realize somebody’s dreaming it… They save a couple of people. And the idea is… you cheated death and death is coming back for you.” – Amy [07:14]
  • “In the most unexpected, twisted ways, like mundane, like seemingly innocuous situations, suddenly become violently deadly…” – TJ [07:43]

• Signature: Creative Death: Amy calls “creative deaths… the hallmark of a Final Destination movie,” with each installment upping the ante in elaborate, unexpected, and sometimes darkly funny ways [07:57].

  • “You and I will be walking down the streets of Manhattan… All you’re thinking is Final Destination… like if you ever played Mouse Trap, suddenly results in complete bloody catastrophe.” – TJ [08:09]

Final Destination Bloodlines — What Sets It Apart

• Return to Roots: The 2025 film “takes audiences back to the very beginning of death’s twisted sense of justice,” exploring a fresh angle through the character Stephanie and her attempt to shield her family from fate [06:19].
• Franchise Homecoming: Amy views it as a homecoming, stating “this latest installment… brought the entire series… back home in a very, very special way,” especially through Tony Todd’s involvement [04:35].

Notable Stats

• $315 million global box office ($138M domestic, $177M international) [08:51]
• Rotten Tomatoes: 92% critic, 86% audience [10:46]

Tony Todd’s Emotional Farewell

• Series Mainstay: Tony Todd reprised his ominous, iconic role—his “final scene, perhaps actually in life, before he passed” [08:51–09:10].

  • “He doesn’t have a lot of lines in any of the movies, but you can argue he plays the biggest role… he’s the only star that makes it through all the movies.” – Amy [09:10]
  • “He has a very, very special scene. It’s his closing scene. And I mean, it will give you chills… He makes a very special message given what we know he was going through at the end of his life.” – Amy [09:36]
  • “His words of wisdom were about savoring the moment. And it was just cool. In a movie about people trying to get another moment, trying to evade death, there is a life lesson. I don’t necessarily like to watch horror movies for that, but… he brought it home.” – TJ [16:19]

• Fan and Critical Praise: The film is widely praised as “a good send off for Tony Todd and a fresh twist on the formula,” with one review calling it “an excellent, excellent send off” and “worth a watch for that alone” [12:32, 15:20-15:43].

What Makes the Film (and Franchise) Work

• Formula, Done Right: Both hosts champion the formulaic approach, as anticipation and subversion of expectations amplify the suspense and enjoyment [05:21, 11:15]:

  • “You know what’s going to happen and then you know what’s going to happen next. And that sounds like a horrible premise for a movie. And yet it delivers every time…” – TJ [05:21]
  • “I think this was the best job they did in all of the movies in making you look one way and then something else happens that you’re not expecting…” – Amy [11:15]

• The Role of Sound: TJ highlights the sound design’s importance in building anticipation—“the score, the audio in these films, actually plays such a role…” [11:38]

• Scenes That Leave an Impression:

  • Tattoo parlor and MRI scenes get special mention for combining horror, gore, and black humor [12:16–12:27].
  • “It’ll make you never stay alone in a tattoo parlor.” – Amy [12:16]
  • “God bless America. That’s awful.” – Amy, on the MRI scene [12:27]

Critical and Audience Reception

• Critical Consensus:

  “Adding some surprising emotional layers onto the ghoulish bones of Final Destination’s mythology… Bloodlines ingeniously executes grisly set pieces with precision and turns impending doom into outrageous fashion fun.” – Critics Consensus [10:50]

• Audience Reviews:

  • “Didn’t just end with people being killed like pieces in a mechanical device. It successfully added real storytelling depth, turning death into something meaningful rather than just a form of consumption… the script was solid… no dull moments.” [14:11]
  • “Never watch it if you have a weak stomach. But honestly, a fantastic movie.” [17:06]

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Watch

• Who It’s For:

  • Fans of the genre, particularly those who appreciate dark humor and creative, over-the-top deaths [25:13].
  • “If you love to watch creative death scenes… you’re gonna love it. This is for you.” – TJ [25:13]

• Who It’s Not For:

  • Viewers with weak stomachs or those who “can’t get over the predictability”—since formula is the point and the fun [25:48].
  • “You gotta have a little bit of a twisted sense of humor almost… because, yes, creative deaths are made funny.” – Amy [25:48]
  • “There was some of this on reviews…complaining about the predictability of it.” – TJ [26:29]

How to Watch & What to Pair It With

• Where to Watch:
  • HBO Max (now renamed back to HBO Max) [28:21]
• Viewing Tips:
  • Avoid foods that mimic the film’s body-horror textures (e.g., pizza, stews). Stick to “crunchy and salty” snacks; backyard BBQ is thematic but beware of the ice and yardwork scenes [27:14–28:03].
  • “I would avoid pizza or any kind of stew. There’s a lot of gruesome deaths. Just keep it kind of crunchy and salty.” – TJ [27:14]
  • “No yard work!” – Amy [28:02]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Creative deaths is the hallmark of a Final Destination movie.” – Amy [07:57]
• “He has a very, very special scene. It’s his closing scene. And I mean, it will give you chills.” – Amy, on Tony Todd [09:36]
• “In a movie about people trying to get another moment, trying to evade death… there is a life lesson. I… don’t necessarily like to watch horror movies for that, but… he brought it home.” – TJ [16:19]
• “Whether you’re a longtime follower or just ready to see why everyone’s scared of log trucks, Bloodlines delivers the goods.” – TJ reading a critic [13:19]

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [03:06] — Introduction & context for the episode
• [04:35] — Why choose this recent film; Deep Cuts criteria
• [06:19] — Official synopsis and franchise refresher
• [07:14] — Explanation of series’ formula and favorite “accident” setups
• [08:51] — Box office, critical response, and Tony Todd’s role
• [09:36] — Amy discusses the poignancy of Tony Todd’s final performance
• [10:46] — Rotten Tomatoes scores and critics consensus
• [11:38] — Discussion of directing, acting, sound design, and memorable scenes
• [12:16–12:32] — Standout death scenes (tattoo parlor, MRI) described
• [14:11] — Standout audience reviews
• [16:19] — Tony Todd, death, and the film’s life lessons
• [22:31] — Why it made their list, discussion on formula, who it’s for/not for
• [27:14] — What to eat and drink while watching
• [28:21] — Where to stream (HBO Max)
• [29:13] — Teaser for the next episode (#6 on the list)

Closing Thoughts

Amy and TJ’s fun, enthusiastic tone makes this a welcoming listen for horror fans of any level. They balance nostalgia for the franchise, appreciation of new developments in Bloodlines, and genuine emotional reverence for Tony Todd’s impact and swan song. The discussion is both a celebration of the horror genre and an accessible entry point for new viewers, highlighting why Final Destination Bloodlines deserves a coveted spot on their Halloween horror hit list.