Rumi, Mira and Zoe are Huntr/x, the latest in a long line of
Demon Hunters who sing as well as they slay.
For years their music has protected the barrier separating Humanity from
an all out Demon invasion. But now
they’re about to face their most dangerous foes: The Saja Boys, a five member
Demon Boy Band. It’s a battle of beats,
words and wills as Huntr/x goes head to head with these handsome imposters who
are hellbent on using their music to ensnare their fans. Not if Huntr/x has anything to say about it.
Considering how big of a worldwide phenomenon Kpop has
become thanks to the successes of bands like BlackPink, Twice and BTS, you’d
think some kind of animation or even live action about hot pop idols kicking
some kind of ass would have arrived way before Kpop Demon Hunters (the closest
we’ve probably gotten is League of Legends’ K/DA group).
The wait for such a project to emerge has
been well worth it as Kpop Demon Hunters delivers on all fronts with stellar
animation from the studio behind the Spider Man Spiderverse saga, a bunch of
unforgettable characters and a soundtrack that isnt leaving your head well
after you’ve heard it.
I might have one
or two little issues with it but that isnt stopping me from naming Kpop Demon
Hunters as one of the Best Films of 2025.
Like many, I’m still puzzled as to why it’s taken Sony so
long to give us Spider Man: Beyond the Spiderverse but if part of that
problematic process helped result in Kpop Demon Hunters, I’m willing to
forgive.
There isnt a sing frame or
singular moment that doesn’t have a tremendous amount of love, soul and fun
poured into it from the dizzyingly awesome fight scenes to the quieter moments
where our main trio of heroines is just sitting around bonding.
The animation and music are also married
together in a way that any single music number could be it’s own stand alone
music video.
Honestly all of this
imagery and action is exactly what comes to my mind when I’m listening to a lot
of Kpop music.
My nitpicks with Kpop Demon Hunters are minimal but the
story does retread a lot of familiar ground with a couple of cliches I’d hoped
they’d steer away from in the final act but didn’t.
However, what helps elevate the movie above
this are the main cast.
Arden Cho, May
Hong & Ji-young Yoo give so much life to Rumi, Mira and Zoe respectively
that you instantly fall for all three of them, not just for their good looks
but their fun and distinct personalities too.
All the emotions you should feel watching a group of leads like this are
there and they work so well they make you wanna cry and laugh at all the right
times.
When these girls succeed, you
cheer.
When they fall into a pretty bad
spot, you wanna hug them.
And when they
goof off, man they just exemplify why theyre the group you want to roll
with.
Same goes for
Ahn Hyo-seop’s Jinu, who hides his own dark
secrets behind his bad boy good looks.
Special shoutouts should definitely go to Ken Jeong’s Bobby, the girls’
overworked but every loyal manager and Daniel Dae Kim’s scene stealing Healer
Han, who I wish had another scene or two in the movie, especially towards the
end.
What caught me off guard the most about Kpop Demon
Hunters is the messaging.
The movie
advertises fun action and comedy but leaves you totally unprepared for the
introspective subplots going on with many of our main characters, especially
Rumi.
In an age where acceptance is
tough and self love can be an even greater challenge, Kpop Demon Hunters takes
time to examine those themes and offer it’s own loving and caring take.
It’s not easy watching Rumi, Mira, Zoe, even
Jinu and Bobby deal with their own insecurities and secrets that keep them from
true happiness or acknowledging the happiness that’s right in front of their
eyes.
There’s a pretty emotional story
underneath the neon animation and catchy tunes and I’m happy to say that it
will have you feeling something by the time the credits roll.
Speaking of the music, holy crap this might be some of
the best Kpop music ever.
Both Huntr/x
and the Saja Boys deliver tracks that can be sexy, empowering, deeply
resonating and shoulder bouncing in equal measure.
From the infectiously catchy “Soda Pop” to
the uplifting highs of “Golden” to the darker and more menacing “Idol” and
“Takedown”, there isnt a weak track in this setlist and it begs to be listened
to over and over again.
I know I cant be
the only one hoping to hear more music from both groups down the line but then
again would they even do that for a group of animated Kpop idols?
Let’s see, anything else?
Guesss my other minimal nitpicks fall to some of the characters.
Jinu is the only Saja Boy with an actual
character arc.
The others are kind of
just their bare bones personalities and character designs.
Heck some of them are even named after their
most defining attributes like Abby and Baby.
Maybe couldve used a bit more of them interacting with each other as
they made their evil plans, that’s all.
Then there’s the girls mentor, Celine.
Her scenes are few but they are impactful.
Given her looming shadow over the girls,
especially Rumi, I felt like she’d have more of a say in the final act.
But then again I also get the feeling that
she hasn’t been totally forgotten, she’s just being saved for a potential
sequel, which let’s face it, is inevitable.
Kpop Demon Hunters is a celebration of all things
animation, Kpop, action and self love in a beautiful 100 minute package.
The girls are insanely loveable.
The main bad boy and his minions are
fun.
The music is endlessly fun no
matter how many times you listen to it and the emotional highs are a high as
you can go and then go a step further.
Some characters get lost in the shuffle or greatly downsized but it’s
hard to find fault when the movie works so well regardless.
Like I said, a sequel seems inevitable and
rightfully so.
I cant wait to hear Rumi,
Mira and Zoe sing again while kicking all kinds of demonic ass…yes even if
Beyond the Spiderverse has to be pushed back a bit further to make it happen.
9/10
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