LOS ANGELES — After a 14-year absence, the franchise that has terrorized and traumatized generations is back on the big screen.

In “Final Destination Bloodlines,” death puts a twist on how it claims its sense of justice — after all, death does not like to be cheated.

Plagued by a recurring nightmare, Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) heads home to track down her grandmother, the only person who might break the cycle and save the family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.

In an interview with Spectrum News, Santa Juana said getting the news that she would be part of the new “Final Destination,” and something so huge in pop culture was the best.

“We have huge shoes to fill with all the people who came before us,” she said.

Santa Juana further said that while previous installments lean heavily on the deaths and how gruesome they can be, “Final Destination Bloodlines” is about a family who really love each other — allowing for character depth. Additionally, it’s about family trauma passed down from one generation to the next. 

"You really grow a care for them," she said. "In this one, you are rooting for this family." 

For Teo Briones, who plays Charlie, it was a crazy world to step into because of the devoted fanbase surrounding the franchise. And as fan of the franchise, Briones told Spectrum News that if he could go back and save anyone from a previous installment, it would be Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agosto) and Molly Harper (Emma Bell) from “Final Destination 5.”

"They survived all that... thought they lived and then they die in a plane crash. That's tough," he said.

It should be noted, spoiler alert, that it is the original plane crash from the first "Final Destination." 

"“It was so genius! I loved that. I remember when I first saw that, my head exploded,” said Santa Juana. 

For her part, Santa Juana said she would save Clear Rivers, played by Ali Larter.

“She’s the OG girly. I would save her. She almost made it and then, in number two, they kept her in that padded room. Poor girl. She’s the best,” said Santa Juana. 

(Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

When deciding on the gruesome deaths throughout the film, film directors told Spectrum News it was all about picking everyday objects and experiences that could be ruined for people.

“’Final Destination’ is really about thinking about things that can trigger your anxiety and then making them come to life in an expected way,” said Adam Stein.  

Zach Lipovsky notes that anxiety is perennial and doesn't get old.

“These films are so much fun. If you are a fan of the franchise and you know what you are getting yourself into, when you come to this movie, you are going to get everything that you are looking for but with some surprises,” he said.

But convincing the powers that be to let them direct a new “Final Destination” film was no easy task. In fact, in their pitch to convince studio executives they were the right duo, Lipovsky and Stein created their own death scene during a Zoom meeting. 

"We staged my death," said Stein. "We burned my house down and cut my head off live on Zoom by using some camera tricks and the Zoom virtual background feature."

And that was only the first part. 

"They started clapping thinking that was the joke, but they didn't realize the ceiling fan above us was the surprise," said Lipovsky. "After we put out the fire, the ceiling fan was going to fall and cut Adam's head off. And then, they totally went crazy. But on mute, clapping in silence. It was a unique experience."

(Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)

If you have seen the “Final Destination” films, you know that Tony Todd’s recurring character is pivotal. Todd passed away last year because of stomach cancer, but he still left his mark in “Final Destination Bloodlines.”

“He was everything you’d hope he would be and more. He just had such a presence about him and gravity. The voice … he was just so kind to each and every one of us,” Richard Harmon told Spectrum News.

“He really is the franchise. For us, we are just coming in for this one film. Once we had him on set, we were like, ‘oh this is a ‘Final Destination’ movie. We are really doing it,” said Anna Lore.

“Final Destination Bloodlines” opens in theaters and IMAX May 16. It stars Brec Bassinger, Richard Harmon, Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Owen Joyner, Rya Kihlstedt, Tony Todd, and Anna Lore.

Click the video above to watch the full interview with the cast and directors.