High school senior Wendy's premonition of a deadly rollercoaster ride saves her life and a lucky few, but not from death itself — which seeks out those who escaped their fate.
A mixed-to-negative reception greeted this third installment, with most critics finding it mechanically predictable and a step down from its predecessors — though a vocal minority argued the self-aware humor and inventive set-pieces made it the franchise's most enjoyable entry. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's performance drew consistent praise even from detractors, while the tanning bed and nail gun sequences became the film's most-discussed moments.
“clear to everyone who must die and in what order”
Roger Ebert·Ebert Digital LLC
“formula has been perfected rather than worn out”
Chris Carle·IGN
“brightly coloured [and] slightly silly meditation on how we're all gonna die one day, so we might as well do it explosively”
Sarah Dobbs·Den of Geek!
“the real tragedy is that promising young actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead must endure this torture”
BBC
“novelty of the first [or] the panache of the second”
The New York Times
Horror, Mystery
High school senior Wendy's premonition of a deadly rollercoaster ride saves her life and a lucky few, but not from death itself — which seeks out those who escaped their fate.
A mixed-to-negative reception greeted this third installment, with most critics finding it mechanically predictable and a step down from its predecessors — though a vocal minority argued the self-aware humor and inventive set-pieces made it the franchise's most enjoyable entry. Mary Elizabeth Winstead's performance drew consistent praise even from detractors, while the tanning bed and nail gun sequences became the film's most-discussed moments.
“clear to everyone who must die and in what order”
Roger Ebert·Ebert Digital LLC
“formula has been perfected rather than worn out”
Chris Carle·IGN
“brightly coloured [and] slightly silly meditation on how we're all gonna die one day, so we might as well do it explosively”
Sarah Dobbs·Den of Geek!
“the real tragedy is that promising young actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead must endure this torture”
BBC
“novelty of the first [or] the panache of the second”
The New York Times
Horror, Mystery