Great World-Building, Catchy Songs, and Impressive Performances Make Netflix’s Surprising New Film Unmissable
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KPop Demon Hunters joins a distinguished line of supernatural “band movies” and TV series showcasing the utility of musical talent against the supernatural. The titular band in The Monkees fight a host of baddies, including the devil himself, in “The Devil and Peter Tork.” Josie and the Pussycats saw a cat-themed pop trio balance touring while taking on a variety of villains. Tenacious D fights Satan with the power of rock in Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, Scott Pilgrim fights Ramona Flowers’ seven super-powered exes with music in Scott Pilgrim vs The World, and Dave Grohl and the rest of the Foo Fighters fight demonic possession in Studio 666. It’d be a sin to forget Ryan Coogler‘s vampire yarn Sinners, which showcases the magical power of music in one of the year’s best scenes. That storied combo of music and supernatural battle is given a catchy modern twist in KPop Demon Hunters, directed by Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon) and Maggie Kang (Minions: The Rise of Gru). It’s a charming fantasy-action with catchy tunes, leaning into its absurdity for a fine animated tale.
What is ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ About?
KPop Demon Hunters centers on a KPop trio performing as Huntrix, the latest in a distinguished lineage of demon hunters who clandestinely use music to unite humanity. Through creating those connections, hunters create the Honmoon, a field that shields everyday people from demons and their soul-stealing king, Gwi-Ma. It falls to the latest trio of hunters, KPop stars Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), to create the Golden Honmoon, a permanent and impenetrable shield that will keep Gwi-Ma out for good. Their plans are challenged, both by the discovery of Rumi’s secret heritage and by an edgy demon with a harrowing demonic plan: to take the form of a catchy KPop boy band, Saja Boys, and battle Huntrix where it matters most: in the hearts of the fans.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Is A Fun, Fantastical Ode To Everything K-Pop
KPop Demon Hunters is first and foremost two things: a love letter to K-Pop idols and stans, and an action-heavy supernatural yarn. It boasts interesting lore around demons, music, and hunters, which is novel yet feels rich. It could surely be mined for other stories. The demon designs are visually distinct and detailed, and the combat is stylish, well-choreographed, and nicely edited and timed. It should be noted that this reviewer isn’t a massive K-pop listener, but I still found the in-world songs to be catchy and well-produced. From Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind the exceptional Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse franchise, among others, it’s a gorgeously animated outing with top-shelf production all around.
Arden Cho gives a complex and emotional vocal performance as lead Rumi, who has the most complicated evolution of the Huntrix trio. She’s believably tough and determined, but also gets ample opportunities to be vulnerable. May Hong and Ji-young Yoo land Mira and Zoey, and all three performers have clearly distinct personalities and a strong collective dynamic. Ahn Hyo-seop is great as the clever, charismatic demon/boy band lead Jinu, oozing charm that sells the impact of Huntrix’s demonic K-pop rivals. It’s a strong voice cast overall.
KPop Meets ‘Devil May Cry’ in New Sneak Peek From Netflix’s Latest Animated Musical
Sony Pictures Animation’s new musical feature is coming to Netflix this week.
KPop Demon Hunters is at its best when it’s having fun with its premise, bringing the breezily absurd fun of a demon-fighting musical trio to the screen. It could build up the other characters’ emotional lives a bit more. We’re a bit shortchanged on Rumi’s actually-very-important background, and it would be nice to have a bigger window into her origins. The demon lore and history could be explored to a greater degree. All that said, it takes an elegantly kitchy premise, lands the essentials, and asks us to have fun with it. You can ask for more, but not much more.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Embraces The Magical Power of Music
At the end of the day, KPop Demon Hunters is a simple story about a trio of demon-hunting pop songstresses combating an evil boy band through the power of song and weaponry. It’s a beautifully bonkers fantasy premise that works, thanks to gorgeous animation and choreography, fun lore, a set of talented voice performances, and catchy tunes. There are questions left unanswered that do actually matter, and elements that could be explored with greater depth. That said, there’s plenty of open space for future world-building and exploration, and it’s a charming ode to the magic of music.
