A horror classic that redefined the rules of the genre is now streaming on Netflix – and fans say it still packs the same punch over two decades later.
Final Destination, the 2000 supernatural thriller that sparked a franchise, follows high school student Alex Browning (played by Devon Sawa) who, moments before boarding a flight to Paris, has a terrifying premonition of the plane exploding.
When he and a handful of classmates are removed from the flight, his vision comes true – and what follows is a relentless game of cat-and-mouse as death comes for each survivor in the order they were meant to die.
Horror fans on Letterboxd have long sung the film’s praises, describing it as a genre trailblazer. One user wrote: “They figured out a cinematic language for ‘this character is 100% gonna die in this scene.’ Will it be this that kills them? Maybe this? Or this? Taunting us beyond reason… it’s unprecedented.”
The genius of Final Destination lies in its tension. Each scene becomes a puzzle, with seemingly innocuous objects turning into potential weapons – and viewers guessing how, not if, a character will die.
Despite its relatively simple premise, the film’s execution was acclaimed. One viewer shared: “I really do love this movie. Redefined the genre in a way only Scream had prior… The story was so original for its time, the acting was amazing, and it created stars out of its actors.”
Final Destination helped launch the careers of Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, and Kerr Smith. Tony Todd, best known for Candyman, also made a memorably eerie appearance as a mortician with cryptic knowledge of death’s design.
Another fan added: “It’s not overly gory but also not too mild… a great balance. The mix of special and practical effects is solid throughout, and I just love this one with all my heart.”
The film was a major box office hit, grossing over $112 million worldwide and spawning four sequels and a sixth instalment released in May 2025.
It also helped cement early 2000s horror as a space for high-concept storytelling, joining the ranks of The Ring and The Others.
Final Destination is now available on Netflix.