The Final Destination movie series has terrified audiences for over two decades with its unique take on horror. Instead of a masked killer, the villain is Death itself, hunting down those who escape fatal accidents. While the deaths are gruesome and creative, the characters make these films worth watching. Here are the 11 best characters from the franchise.
Death / The Grim Reaper
The real villain of the Final Destination series isn’t a person—it’s Death. This unseen force manipulates the environment to kill survivors in the most twisted ways possible. Death is relentless, intelligent, and impossible to escape. It sets up Rube Goldberg-like traps, ensuring that no one cheats fate for long.
Death appears in all six films, working silently in the background. It doesn’t speak or show itself, but its presence is felt in every deadly accident. Fans love how creative and unpredictable Death’s methods are, making it one of the most terrifying horror villains ever.
Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) – Final Destination (2000)
Alex Browning is the first protagonist of the series. He has a vision of Flight 180 exploding and manages to save a few classmates before it happens. Unlike typical horror leads, Alex isn’t just trying to survive—he’s figuring out Death’s pattern to protect others.
Alex is smart, determined, and willing to risk his life to stop Death’s plan. His rivalry with Carter Horton adds tension, but his leadership makes him stand out. Sadly, despite his efforts, Death eventually catches up to him.
Clear Rivers (Ali Larter) – Final Destination & Final Destination 2
Clear Rivers is one of the most resilient characters in the franchise. She’s the only survivor from Flight 180 who appears in the second movie. Clear starts as a quiet, mysterious girl but grows into a strong fighter against Death.
After losing her friends, she locks herself in a mental institution to stay safe. But when new survivors seek her help, she steps up again. Clear’s intelligence and bravery make her a fan favorite. Her death in Final Destination 2 is one of the most shocking moments in the series.
Kimberly Corman (A.J. Cook) – Final Destination 2
Kimberly Corman is the lead in Final Destination 2, where she prevents a deadly highway pile-up. Unlike Alex, Kimberly struggles with guilt and trauma after the accident. She teams up with Officer Burke to save the remaining survivors.
Kimberly is one of the few characters who outsmarts Death—at least temporarily. Her emotional depth and determination make her one of the most relatable protagonists in the series.
Wendy Christensen (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) – Final Destination 3
Wendy Christensen is a final girl done right. After foreseeing a roller coaster disaster, she saves several classmates. Wendy is smart, resourceful, and deeply protective of her younger sister, Julie.
What makes Wendy special is her photographic clues—she uses pictures to predict Death’s next moves. Her partnership with Kevin Fischer adds heart to the film. Wendy’s survival skills make her one of the strongest leads in the franchise.
Kevin Fischer (Ryan Merriman) – Final Destination 3
Kevin Fischer starts as a typical jock but quickly proves he’s more than that. After the roller coaster crash, he becomes Wendy’s most trusted ally. Kevin is brave, loyal, and willing to risk his life to save others.
His death in the subway accident is one of the most intense scenes in the series. Fans love Kevin because he’s not just a side character—he’s a hero in his own right.
Thomas Burke (Michael Landes) – Final Destination 2
Officer Thomas Burke is one of the few adults who takes the survivors seriously. Unlike other horror movie cops, Burke doesn’t dismiss Kimberly’s warnings. He investigates Death’s patterns and helps her fight back.
Burke’s intelligence and dedication make him stand out. He’s also one of the rare survivors in the series, proving that teamwork can sometimes beat Death—at least for a while.
Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agosto) – Final Destination 5
Sam Lawton is one of the most tragic characters in the franchise. He saves his coworkers from a bridge collapse, only to realize Death is still after them. Sam is kind, selfless, and desperate to protect his girlfriend, Molly.
The twist ending reveals that Sam’s story is connected to Flight 180, making his fate even more heartbreaking. Fans appreciate his emotional depth and the film’s clever callbacks to the first movie.
Stefani Reyes (Kaitlyn Santa Juana) – Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
The newest protagonist, Stefani Reyes, discovers her family was never meant to exist. After nightmares about her grandmother’s death, she realizes Death is hunting her bloodline. Stefani is brave, quick-thinking, and willing to do anything to save her family.
Her intelligence and leadership make her a worthy addition to the franchise. Fans are excited to see if she returns in future films.
Billy Hitchcock (Seann William Scott) – Final Destination (2000)
Billy Hitchcock is the comic relief of the first film. Played by Seann William Scott, Billy brings humor to the dark story. He’s clumsy, friendly, and tragically unaware of the danger he’s in.
Billy’s death is one of the most brutal in the series, shocking fans who grew attached to his goofy personality. Despite being a side character, he remains a fan favorite.
Rory Peters (Jonathan Cherry) – Final Destination 2
Rory Peters is the funniest character in the franchise. A reckless stoner, Rory doesn’t take Death seriously—at first. His sarcastic one-liners and relaxed attitude make him instantly likable.
Also read: Final Destination Bloodlines Now Streaming: How to Watch the Horror Hit at Home
Despite his humor, Rory is also smart and helpful. He figures out Death’s reverse order pattern, proving he’s more than just comic relief. His death is both shocking and heartbreaking.
Credits: Collider, Wikipedia, CBR, and Fandom.
