How an introvert went to see "Final Destinations Bloodlines" alone

And how this film speaks to my introverted nature

Movie going is a communal experience. You go with friends or family and then talk about the greatness (or disappointment) of what transpired on screen. In all my years on earth, I have never gone to a movie by myself.

For some, going solo to the movies is their preferred way to enjoy the big screen. As an introvert, the possibility made me feel anxious and vulnerable. However, when no one wanted to attend my FAVORITE franchise’s latest outing, “Final Destinations Bloodlines” with me, I had to do what I thought was impossible…buy a ticket and hope for the best.

Here’s how Bloodlines spoke to my introverted nature.

I caught the matinee showing.

We are interconnected

In this latest installment, without any spoiler alerts, the protagonist, Stefani, is plagued by a violent and recurring nightmare and realizes her grandmother is the key to stopping her nightmares and the impending cycle of death coming for her entire family (well, most of them).

The same Rube Goldberg-style death traps exist and the characters make an attempt to disrupt them.

Together.

Stefani had recently isolated herself from her family. There is a hefty amount of generational trauma happening between the characters but they let go of the most gnarly of this trauma to connect with each other.

As in introvert, I have to take great efforts to connect. If Final Destination has taught me anything, it is that we all impact each other even in small ways.

And to stay away from logging trucks.

Stefanie and her mother witnessing something NSFW

We need to support each other

Stefani opens up about her anger issues regarding her mother and allows her brother and cousins to support her. Not that any of that comes to a hill of beans in a Final Destination film but it was a nice emotional arc throughout the story.

As an introvert and a writer, I have invited the community of writers I’ve been fortunate enough to surround myself with to be part of my journey. It’s been very gratifying. Sort of like having my own personal emotional arc.

If Final Destination has taught me anything, it’s that anxiety and fear can bring people together.

Because my writing career is filled with anxiety and fear.

We are all screwed

Okay, maybe not really but we all will have terrible things happen to us and we should still try our best to help minimize the havoc to everyone else around us when we can.

I particularly felt sorry for Stefani’s cousins, Erik and Bobby. IYKYK. They were screwed for sure but there was enough meat on the bones of the story to give the audience a reason to root for them.

If Final Destination has taught me anything, rooting for ANYONE in a Final Destination film is mostly in vain.

But I can root for not letting my introvert tendencies keep me from enjoying my favorite things like Final Destination. And of course I enjoyed the last appearance of the icon who was Tony Todd.

Rest in Power, Mr. Todd

In case you’re wondering - I LOVED this movie! It met my expectations and gave me a little more than I was expecting. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%, I was going in expecting a lot!

If you didn’t know…Final Destination began as a spec script for The X Files from the writer, Jeffrey Reddick. Gotta love it!

Jeffrey Reddick, creator of Final Destination

I’ve done it once so let’s see if I can do it again. You can decide my next solo film adventure. Take the poll below.

P.M. Raymond

Writer of horror and crime noir. Observer of the world

www.pmraymond.com