Ronit J

KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Synopsis:

When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey aren’t selling out stadiums, they’re using their secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats.

KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Review:

Okay, the only reason I decided to watch this film is because Daniel Greene praised it on one of his Fantasy News episodes. I’m neither interested in KPop, nor musicals, so I know this would be a long shot. But, I had about two hours to kill. And, I wanted to watch something light and simple. Also, I was craving some animation, so I picked this.

Now, hear me out. Objectively, I understand why this film is so popular and highly praised. There is a ton to appreciate here, especially with the visuals and spectacle that it creates in a mere 90 minutes of runtime. And keeping my bias aside, I can say that the film was quite funny, with just enough depth to pass off as a good film.

I’ll admit, the film feels less like a movie and more like an extended KPop opera with scenes just excuses to segway between songs. However, given the popularity of KPop, why wouldn’t that appeal to fans? Plus, there’s ample of pop-culture ammunition within this film to make it be the trending piece of content it was during its release. And that’s in full part thanks to the filmmakers’ creativity and awe-inspiring animation, the voice actors’ performances, and the catchy KPop numbers that were topping charts too.

An Animated Spectacle

Right off the bat, I’ll say this: what a SPECTACLE. And spectacle/spectacular is the perfect way to summarise KPop Demon Hunters. Right from its opening sequence that exposits who and what the Demon Hunters are, to the opening performance of Huntr/x, every visual is stunningly beautiful. From its use of colours to highlight mood, to the way the camera moves to capture the high-speed dynamic fights, KPop Demon Hunters really goes the extra mile to establish a very kinetic and rich visual identity.

Like I mentioned earlier, I’m not a fan of Kpop or the musical genre. Despite that, I will say that the film uses both aesthetics to bring a vivid world to life. Each of the characters has a unique skill and personality, which, despite feeling a little two-dimensional, establishes a clear group dynamic. Obviously Rumi (Arden Cho) is the lead of the film, given how she’s the only one in the trio who has a full backstory that ties in with the plot. However, the others, Mira (May Hong), Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), even Bobby (Ken Jeong) get just enough treatment to make them believable characters, each with a potential to have their own spin-off.

The world of KPop Demon Hunters is strikingly awesome. I don’t care if this is a creative mind gone wild or a product of manufactured franchise building, it’s stunning. And it’s this world’s Korean aesthetics, coupled with the whimsy of manga/anime, and the colourful visuals that certainly make KPop Demon Hunters stand out. Where the film lacks in story and depth, it makes up for with its animation and spectacle.

Not Cinema

Martin Scorsese received a lot of flak for saying that superhero films (or was it just a dig at Marvel?) are not real cinema. And you know what? I agree with him. If you’ve watched the likes of Park Chan-Wook, Bong Joon Ho, Hirokazu Kore-eda, you’ll know what real cinema is. Not only do they tell compelling stories, but they also push the boundaries of their mediums, constantly innovating in ways that challenge—and inspire—the mainstream. Now, it’s also important to note that none of Marvel is really trying to appease that crowd of cinephiles; they’re just after your money in exchange for a very good time. And from my perspective, if a film delivers on its promise, cinema or not, I think it’s commendable.

That being said, KPop Demon Hunters is just that kind of film. It lacks the maturity, depth, or finesse you’d see from the best of cinema. The story and conflicts all feel very basic and superficial. Conflicts resolve without much escalation, and the message of ‘accept yourself’ is just that. There are no real reflections into the human condition, nor does the film attempt to comment on the KPop Genre, instead using it as a backdrop that glorifies it if anything. The more you think about it, the more you realise that this is just another Netflix film with no depth or soul. It’s just a piece of content that’s meant to entertain you, and that’s it. But, it is also a great example of a mindless entertainer with aesthetic brilliance.

Everything I said in the previous section stands. Despite all my complaints, the film was an entertaining 90 minutes (or whatever the runtime is after you cut out all the songs). The humour made me laugh, the fight sequences and the dynamic music-video segments, all made full use of the animation medium to present a spectacle worthy of being projected on the big screen. So, yes, this movie is popular for a reason, and the reason is that it’s brilliantly beautiful.

KPop Demon Hunters (2025) Ending Explained (SPOILERS)

At the Idol Awards, the demons trick Huntr/x and perform ‘Takedown’ in front of fans. While Mira and Zoey are distracted by the demons, two demons posing as them fight with Rumi on stage, ripping out her jacket to reveal her patterns. The fans are disappointed by Huntr/x’s behaviour and perceived breakup. Mira and Zoey are wary of Rumi after realising she’s part-demon.

The result of this even has large scale effects, weakening the Honmoon. With Saja Boys now the top KPop band, Gwi-Ma gets access to a lot more souls, allowing him to influence people in the real world. He has the Saja Boys organise a massive concert to steal all the souls he can to break free. However, Rumi—after confronting Celine for not accepting her—realises that she can only fix the Honmoon if she accepts herself for who she is. With a renewed spirit, Rumi crashes the Saja Boys’ concert, singing an improvised song about accepting herself, including her demons.

Her song breaks the spell, and Huntr/x reunites. The group free their fans from Gwi-Ma’s trance. As Gwi-Ma is about to strike a killing blow, Juni sacrifices himself in an attempt to repent for his sins. This allows Huntr/x to defeat Gwi-Ma, seal the demons, and create a new, more powerful Honmoon.

Later, Rumi goes to the bathhouse with Mira & Zoey, no longer hiding her patterns, fully having accepted herself. The group’s dynamic is back to normal, and so is the world.

Is KPop Demon Hunters (2025) worth watching?

Objectively: yes

In my opinion: no

The film is flashy with some really stunning visuals that do highlight what the medium is capable of. You could even argue that it does a great job of capturing the KPop phenomenon with its aesthetics and treatment.

However, the film isn’t much more outside of that. The story, plot, characters, and conflicts are all—as expected from a Netflix film—very surface level. This is a film that’s manufactured on the basis of data to appeal to a large crowd. A great example of it, no doubt, with loads of artistic value to appreciate. However, it really does make you wonder what the filmmakers would’ve actually made if there weren’t any restrictions on their creativity.

Also, I personally don’t like KPop or musicals, so a KPop musical didn’t really do it for me. I gave it a shot. It didn’t appeal to me.

All that being said, KPop Demon Hunters delivers exactly what it promises. This is a fun-filled, lighthearted, entertaining 90 minutes that are as spectacular as they are captivating.

In Conclusion:

KPop Demon Hunters (2025) is a brilliantly beautiful visual experience. If you’re a KPop fan, you’re certainly in for a treat. But if you don’t care for the genre, this film won’t do anything to change your mind.

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