KPop Demon Hunters: Amazingly Kinda Perfect, Without Being Flawless.
- Lindsi Neilson
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Beautifully animated with infectious energy and equally catchy music, this surprising hit is undeniably fun to watch.
Blending elements of K-Pop, K-dramas, and pop music culture, this movie thrives on its humor and visual flair. But make no mistake—the heart of the story tackles very real issues, just set in a supernatural world.
My opinion (which no one asked for, but you’re getting anyway):It’s currently streaming on Netflix and absolutely worth a watch—if only to find out what all the fuss is about (and where all those new TikTok and Instagram sounds are coming from...).
But before I go any further…
Spoiler warning: This review contains spoilers. If you’re spoiler-averse, check out my two-minute spoiler-free version on TikTok (@uninvited.reviewer) or Instagram (@uninvited_reviewer). You’ve been warned.
As the movie opens, we’re quickly introduced to Huntr/x, a wildly famous girl group made up of Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. They’re the latest in a long line of badass trios who use their vocal and demon-slaying talents to protect the world by creating a magical barrier called the Honmoon.
The group is gearing up to release their new single, “Golden,” in a final attempt to seal demons away forever. The problem? Rumi, the lead vocalist, starts to lose her voice—because she’s part demon. It’s a secret she’s kept from her bandmates and a side of herself that her mentor, Celine, wants to lock away for good once the Honmoon becomes permanent.
As secrets unravel and tensions rise, a demon boy band (the Saja Boys) bursts onto the scene, threatening to stop Huntr/x and steal the souls of their fanbase. Can Huntr/x overcome betrayal, distrust, and supernatural sabotage in time to stop them?
Short answer: Yes.
Better answer: You're not watching this movie for the unpredictable twists. The plot is fairly straightforward, but the film still manages to hit surprisingly heavy themes—self-doubt, betrayal, acceptance, saving the world—despite skating over some of the deeper details.
For example, we never learn how Rumi, Mira, and Zoey found each other or why they, specifically, were chosen to carry this massive responsibility. The story drops us into the middle of the action without much explanation—but somehow, it still works.
I think the movie succeeds because it pairs a light plot with emotional beats that are widely relatable. It also benefits from being animated, which allows for a level of world-building elasticity that live-action films can't always pull off.
So, while the plot may not go deeper than a kiddie pool, when K-Pop Demon Hunters does dive deep, it doesn’t hold back. Most of those emotional moments come through during the musical numbers, and the soundtrack earns its spot in the Billboard 200's top ten.
Tying emotional depth to the music was a brilliant move by the director, writer, and producers. There are no fluff songs or skips—well, maybe Soda Pop. It’s important to the plot and catchy enough, but not my personal fave.
That said, the songwriting is sharp and evocative. I mean, come on:
“Bleeding isn’t in my blood.”
“Knocking you out like a lullaby.”
“I broke into a million pieces, and I can't go back, but now I'm seeing all the beauty in the broken glass.”
"So we're not hero's, we're still survivors"
Loved. It. All.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see “Golden,” “What It Sounds Like,” or even “Your Idol” show up on some award shortlists.
Bottom line: K-Pop Demon Hunters is a visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and fun-as-heck watch that uses its musical numbers to explore deeper themes in a way that’s both clever and heartfelt.