Filipino-American actors Teo Briones and Kaitlyn Santa Juana star as siblings in Final Destination: Bloodlines, bringing authentic Filipino family dynamics to the forefront of the blockbuster horror franchise’s sixth installment. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
Final Destination: Bloodlines didn’t just dominate the box office—it made history by placing a Filipino-American family at the heart of a major Hollywood horror franchise.
The sixth entry in the Final Destination series opened to $124.2 million worldwide, including $70.1 million in North America, according to Warner Bros. The film now holds the best opening weekend in franchise history, outperforming its predecessors and reigniting global interest in the 25-year-old series.
But what’s grabbing headlines beyond the numbers is the film’s authentic portrayal of a Filipino-American family—represented onscreen by rising Fil-Am talents Kaitlyn Santa Juana and Teo Briones, who play siblings Stefani and Charlie Reyes.
“It replicates my actual family,” Santa Juana shared in an interview, describing how she worked closely with the directors to include Filipino traditions—from food and decor to the tsinelas rule (no shoes in the house!).
“Being able to bring my culture into this film means a lot to me,” she added in a separate interview. “It’s not just about the horror elements; it’s about showing a family that reflects my own.”
Meet the Stars Behind the Roles
Kaitlyn Santa Juana, 28, is a Canadian actress of Filipino and Slovak descent. Born in Langley, British Columbia, she began her acting career in 2016 and is also a Broadway alum, having performed in Dear Evan Hansen in both Canada and New York. She has appeared in TV roles on The Flash and in indie films like The Friendship Game. Her performance in Bloodlines marks her breakout in a global studio release.
Teo Briones, 20, was born in Oxford, England, to Filipino actor Jon Jon Briones and American actress Megan Briones. Raised in Los Angeles, Teo has been acting since he was five. He is best known for his portrayal of Junior Wheeler in Chucky (Syfy) and has appeared in Pretty Little Liars, Wind River, and Ratched. His sister Isa Briones stars in Dune: Prophecy on HBO Max.
In media interviews surrounding the film’s release, Briones noted how meaningful it was to portray a Filipino family in a major Hollywood horror release. He shared his pride in being able to contribute to representation on a global platform and reflected on the importance of authenticity in the film’s cultural details.
Culture Woven into the Horror
Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, Final Destination: Bloodlines follows the Reyes siblings as they uncover a dark legacy rooted in a 1968 catastrophe—triggering the familiar Final Destination formula of premonitions, narrow escapes, and death’s relentless return.
But unlike previous entries, this installment is grounded in cultural specificity. The Reyes family’s home features unmistakable touches of Filipino life: crucifixes above doorways, family altars, sinigang on the stove, and slippers neatly lined up at the entrance.
The tsinelas rule—a no-shoes-inside custom known across Filipino households—becomes both a visual cue and a subtle cultural anchor.
“This wasn’t just about casting—it was about storytelling,” Santa Juana explained. “The tsinelas, the food, even how the siblings argue—that’s all part of it.”
Audience Connection and Industry Impact
For many first- and second-generation Filipino-Americans, the film resonates far beyond its horror narrative. Its themes—intergenerational trauma, sibling sacrifice, and the role of faith—mirror the lived experiences of many in the diaspora.
Social media lit up over the weekend with hashtags like #FilAmExcellence, #FinalDestinationBloodlines, and #TsinelasCulture trending across platforms. Many young Filipino-American viewers praised the movie for its cultural authenticity and emotional relatability.
“We finally saw ourselves not as sidekicks or comic relief—but as the heart of the story,” one viewer posted. “And we weren’t explained. We just were.”
Breaking Barriers at the Box Office
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the Filipino-American population at over 4.4 million, making them the third-largest Asian American group in the country. Yet Filipino representation in major studio films—especially in lead roles—has remained rare.
Warner Bros. has yet to confirm a sequel, but with box office momentum and community support, a follow-up appears likely.
