Why Death Itself is the Ultimate Horror Villain in ‘Final Destination’

Because it doesn't rely on the stereotypical villain of a masked killer or supernatural being, the ‘Final Destination’ franchise stands apart in the horror genre.  Death itself, an unstoppable force that waits in the shadows for the ideal opportunity to strike, is the real opponent instead.  Death is therefore the most horrifying horror antagonist of all.

 Death in ‘Final Destination’ is invisible, unforeseen, and unavoidable, in contrast to other horror adversaries.  There is no way to stop it, no way to kill it, no way to reason with it.  ‘Final Destination’ flips the script by making survival impossible, in contrast to many horror movies that have villains that can be vanquished or momentarily evaded.  Death uses complex chain reactions and a sense of terrible irony to make sure that its victims experience horrifying and frequently unexpected deaths.

Image Courtesy: TV Insider

Death's rigid order is one of the most unnerving features of Death as a villain.  The survivors of a fatal accident are pursued in the order in which they were supposed to perish in each movie.  Because of this, the plot becomes a race against time as the protagonists make a valiant effort to defy fate.  But Death always manages to find a way, regardless of what they do.

 Death is made even more scary by the lack of a physical antagonist because it seems genuine.  Death is a real-life occurrence, unlike a fictional serial killer, and Final Destination appeals to everyone's fear of dying.  The franchise creates a paranoid mood that persists long after the credits have rolled by portraying Death as an invisible but constant force.

Because Death in ‘Final Destination’ is unavoidable, unrelenting, and unavoidable—just like in real life—it is ultimately the ideal horror antagonist.

–Farheen Ali