Kaitlyn Santa Juana

In the Final Destination universe, the rules are simple: no one outsmarts Death. But when paying a visit to a half-Filipino family, Death might want to put on a pair of tsinelas before entering their house.

Final Destination: Bloodline is the latest drop from the iconic horror franchise—and the movie’s already a killer at the box office. This time, the story follows Stefani Reyes, a college student who races against time to protect her family after a decades-old premonition triggers fate’s wrathful vengeance.  

Although the Final Destination franchise is notorious for its signature spine-chilling deaths, Bloodline sets itself apart from its predecessors in two key ways: by centering the journey around the complex dynamics of a family on Death’s hit list, and by casting Kaitlyn Santa Juana as the first Filipino lead.

In an interview with Timid, the newest scream queen shares her thoughts on family, cultural representation, and what it means to bring something personal to a classic horror saga.

Timid Magazine: After being a part of the Final Destination, what’s the one way to die that really freaks you out?

Kaitlyn Santa Juana: The scariest way to die for me has always been by drowning. I've always been afraid of drowning. And for some reason, I keep getting into movies [with] water scenes. It's crazy, though, because I don't mind being in open water. I don't mind swimming; I love oceans. I worked on a cruise. But I have always been afraid of drowning.

TM: What about Final Destination: Bloodline made you excited to join the project?

KSJ: It was knowing that I’m the first Filipino and first person of color to lead this franchise. [That] made [the role] incredibly meaningful, especially because I got to be part of conversations about how to create the world around the [Reyes] family and what a true mixed family looks like, since that's how I grew up.

TM: What elements do you think make Bloodline stand out from other films in the Final Destination franchise?

KSJ: The aspect of family. [This is] the first time [it] was developed so in depth, because you can't have two-dimensional characters when it comes to people who have known each other their whole lives. We were able to have a week of rehearsal before [filming], which is not something that you generally get, and a lot of the stuff that we came up with in the rehearsals ended up in the movie.

TM: The Final Destination franchise is known for its intense themes of death and horror, but Bloodline also explores the theme of familial bonds. How did you approach balancing these two elements while acting?

KSJ: It was definitely tough at first. You come into [Final Destination] movies rooting for death. But in this one, [it] was a balance [between] wanting the audience to have their moments of getting all these gory deaths, but also wanting them to fall in love with the family. Those [two things] are just so opposite. Honestly, though, I think it ended up being easier for me as an actor. Because in real life, if my family is on death's list, I'm going to do whatever I can to protect them.

TM: If you had to describe your character, Stefani, in one word, what would it be and why?

KSJ: Brainiac. Stefani is the top of her class, [she’s] the smartest in her family and school, and is really good at math.

TM: Stefani is part of a mixed Filipino family. How did you work to authentically represent the traditions or values of that cultural background?

KSJ: Initially, Stefani wasn't a Filipino person or a half-Filipino person. She became a Filipina once I became attached to the project, which was so amazing because it's not often that you get the chance to be seen for who you are. In early conversations about bringing the family to life, I created PDF documents as a crash course of Filipino culture, [from] the little phrases we say to the foods that we eat and what you would find in the household. In one scene, you can see that [Stefani’s] dad is cooking adobo. I'm not sure if we got a shot of it in the movie, but on the first day we were shooting, there were little tsinelas slippers in [the house]. [It] just the little tiny things that made it feel like home. Seeing all of those things that I talked about in the PDF brought tears to my eyes because I've never been part of the initial conversations on creating a world around a character, let alone a Filipino character. [It] was top notch. 10 out of 10 experience for me.

TM: As a half-Filipina actress, how do you hope your role in Bloodline influences the representation of Southeast Asian communities in Hollywood?

KSJ: If I've done my job, more young Filipino kids, Southeast Asian kids, or just BIPOC children [will] see me on the screen and [think], “Wow, if she can do it, I can do it.”  [If] I can do that for a [even] small community, then I’ve done my job. I hope to inspire young children and their families to pursue the arts and understand that these spaces are where we belong, [too].

TM: Who have been the most influential mentors or figures in your acting journey, and how have they impacted your growth?

KSJ: In terms of Filipino idols, definitely Lea Salonga. I'm a theater kid, so seeing her in Miss Saigon at such a young age and watching how her career has flourished is everything. In terms of the scream queen vibes, I'm thinking people like Vera Farmiga, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Florence Pugh. I mean, [Pugh] started super young and when I first saw her in Midsommar, I remember thinking, “My gosh, who is that?” I’d say Lin-Manuel Miranda too.  He also started from the theater, and In the Heights is one of my favorite musicals. I was in college when Hamilton came out, and that was the first time I really saw roles cast without [regard] for color. It [didn’t] matter what someone looked like; if they [could] sing the role or if they [could] act the role, they got the job. That's the kind of stuff that has led me to [start asking], “Why not?” instead of “Why?”

TM: In your experience, what’s something important for aspiring actors, especially those from underrepresented groups, to keep in mind?

KSJ: My mom always told me to never say that you can't do something and to always push the boundaries. Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me. But I was auditioning for roles, [even if] the breakdown asked for someone who wasn’t Filipino. Sometimes, people don't really know what they want. And if you’re [the answer], the world around you—the character, the script—can be fixed. You can be placed into rooms where you might not have thought you belonged. But if you take yourself out before even [trying], the answer will always be no. Even if it’s uncomfortable, choose to place yourself authentically, and you're [already] closer to a yes.

TM: When you think about the kind of legacy you want to leave, both personally and professionally, what comes to mind?

KSJ: I want to leave a legacy of grace and care. One thing Tony Todd [who passed away in November 2024] told me on set was to never let jadedness get to you. I’m not preaching toxic positivity;  I’m talking about [showing] up to your job, your life—anything—with [openness] and a positive attitude, because the way you show up [affects] everyone around you. I learned that through Tony. He’d been doing scary movies forever, and you’d [think] he’d be tired of it, but he showed up to our set so excited and happy to be there. That [kind of energy] created an environment of grace, humility, and care, [something] I hope to instill into the sets and environments I am in moving forward.

Final Destination: Bloodlines was released in the United States on May 16, 2025.

Todd sadly passed away in November of last year.