Death remains unbeaten in the Final Destination film series. After five movies and numerous attempts to evade it, death has consistently caught up with the targeted characters in the franchise. Furthermore, in the upcoming sixth installment, Final Destination Bloodlines, viewers will get a glimpse into the origin of this phenomenon, at least within the context of this series of stories.

The primary reason death needs to be so relentless is that its targets have managed to avoid it due to a sudden, unexplained premonition. Alex foresaw the plane crash, Kimberly anticipated the highway pile-up, and Wendy predicted the roller coaster accident, among others. However, what triggers these visions of the future? Why do these individuals receive these warnings? These questions have led some to speculate that a benevolent force is sending these premonitions to the characters, essentially fighting against death. Nevertheless, the franchise has yet to provide an explanation for this phenomenon.

Last week, io9 had the opportunity to speak with the directors of Final Destination Bloodlines, Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, and inquired about their thoughts on the source of the premonitions. Although they didn’t have a definitive answer, they offered an alternative perspective. “We don’t have a canonical explanation, but we do have our own theories,” Lipovsky shared with io9.

“There are numerous fan theories suggesting a benevolent force is responsible for the premonitions,” Stein explained. “[And] we don’t want to contradict those theories, as they are valid. Our personal interpretation, however, is that Death itself is the source of the premonitions, as it gets bored and seeks entertainment. It provides the characters with sufficient clues to potentially escape, knowing that it will ultimately claim them in a more intriguing way later on.”

Although this theory may seem bleak, it does offer a logical explanation. If a benevolent force were indeed sending premonitions, why would it stop at just one warning? Couldn’t it intervene further? The recurring pattern throughout the series is that the premonition essentially guarantees the eventual demise of those who initially escape, often in unexpected and dramatic ways. If Death’s role is to claim lives, then providing premonitions could be a way for it to create a challenge and make its task more engaging.

As Stein and Lipovsky pointed out, they don’t have an official explanation for the premonitions, nor are they aware if one exists within the franchise. Perhaps this could be explored in a future film. However, it’s worth considering whether explaining the mystery behind the Final Destination franchise would diminish its appeal. likely not.

The latest installment of Death’s ominous plans unfolds in theaters on May 16 with the release of Final Destination Bloodlines.

For more io9 news, check out the upcoming release dates for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, as well as what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.