The Last Kiss (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – After a tragic class trip, a teen gains the ability to see people’s deaths through kissing. She races against time to save her classmates from their foreseen demises related to the incident.

My Take – The slasher genre has spent the past few years finding inventive ways to step outside its traditional boundaries. Happy Death Day (2017) and Happy Death Day 2U (2019) turned the masked-killer formula into a time-loop mystery, Freaky (2020) combined slasher horror with body-swap comedy, and Totally Killer (2023) mixed a ’80s slasher with time travel. The formula may be familiar, but these films have shown how far it can stretch when paired with the right high-concept hook.

This sophomore feature effort from director Yoko Okumura (Unseen) follows that same path, replacing time loops and body swaps with a supernatural twist on romance: our teenager protagonist can see how someone will die when she kisses them. From there, the film blends teen romance, supernatural mystery and slasher horror into its own variation on the formula. And the idea grabs attention right away, turning the nerves of young love into a fight for survival.

The central mystery works well, as she races to uncover the killer targeting her closest friends, whose deaths she’s already glimpsed. Its inventive premise, combined with Mckenna Grace‘s powerful lead performance and a clear stylistic vision, provides a watchable and enjoyable experience, even when the narrative occasionally treads familiar ground.

Yes, it’s lighter than hardcore fans might want, and not especially bloody—closer to Scream‑style stabbings than gore. But the script by Alon Ziv, Krystal Houghton Ziv, and Okumura isn’t aiming to terrify. For 97 minutes, it’s more about keeping viewers guessing than shocking them. Designed as a fun teen slasher romance and a spooky sleepover film, it succeeds on those terms, even if it’s not the kind of film you’ll rush to revisit.

The story follows Laurel (Mckenna Grace) has always dreamed of her first kiss being magical, full of fireworks. On a school trip to a nature preserve, her best friend Poppy (Arkia Chantaratananod) pushes her to confess her feelings for Leo (Joseph Chiu). But just as the group gathers for a photo, the old bridge they’re standing on collapses. Leo dies in front of Laurel, and many classmates are badly injured.

A year later, Laurel is still coping with trauma, clinging to safety routines while her mother Diane (Kate Drummond) urges her back to school. At East Hart High, things have changed—Poppy is recovering from a serious leg injury, and old friend Evan (Jaden Michael) hopes to reconnect, maybe even start a romance. But Laurel discovers a disturbing new ability: when she kisses someone, she sees how they will die. Her latest vision shows a masked killer stalking her classmates. With the threat closing in, Laurel must piece together what her visions mean and uncover the murderer’s identity before the deaths she’s seen become reality.

What begins as a story of teenage longing quickly spirals into a fight against a nightmare that could wipe out her entire circle of friends. Here, director Okumura opens the film with a playful nod to storybook traditions, framing Laurel’s journey through the lens of fairy‑tale romance and the magical power of a kiss.

This stylistic choice blends a dreamy, Disney‑like aesthetic with slasher conventions, giving the film a distinctive look and tone. The mystery at the heart of the story is solid, if not airtight. Laurel’s sleuthing, which sometimes requiring her to kiss unlikely suspects like her principal, provides the most engaging moments, even as the narrative leans more toward dark comedy than pure horror.

However, she embraces the oddity of the premise, staging colorful sequences that balance suspense with humor. A climactic dance, parental worries, and light attacks keep the film within teen‑friendly territory, offering jolts without heavy gore. Her direction ensures the suspense lands, though the script occasionally falls back on familiar slasher beats.

Sadly, the final act stumbles with rushed exposition and fuzzy curse rules, leaving a few lingering questions. Still, the film’s commitment to its unusual twist and coming‑of‑age mystery structure keeps it engaging. At 97 minutes, it’s brisk, stylish, and respectful of its audience’s time. In a season crowded with overlong horror sequels, this compact mix of romance, mystery, and slasher chaos feels refreshing—even if it’s more of a one‑time watch than a lasting classic.

It also helps that Mckenna Grace shines as Laurel, grounding the film with a performance that balances vulnerability and determination. She captures both the emotional weight of her curse and the urgency of her mission, making her a sympathetic lead who holds the audience’s attention throughout.

Arkira Chantaratananond provides strong support as Poppy, adding humor and warmth to the story. The ensemble is rounded out by Jaden Michael, Ash Lee, Kate Drummond, Riley Davis, Eve Edwards, Cooper Levy, and Jorel Hoffert, each contributing to the film’s mix of mystery, suspense, and teen drama. On the whole, ‘The Last Kiss‘ is a sharp supernatural slasher, lifted by Mckenna Grace’s standout lead turn, making for a fun, twisted teen horror ride.