KPop: Demon Hunters Review
By Kevin Hoskinson
Entertainment Editor
Netflix has done very well with their original animated films over the years. The Mitchell’s Vs. The Machines, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, Nimona, Wendell & Wild, and Klaus are just some of the highlights that the streaming service has licensed. The newest entry in that lineup is KPop: Demon Hunters, a musical action film that is highly influenced by anime, Korean folklore, and K-pop culture.
Going into this film, I knew nothing about it other than it was a Sony Pictures Animation project, the same studio that brought us the aforementioned The Mitchell’s Vs. The Machines and the Spider-Verse franchise. For me, that made it a must-watch, but there was also something else. My daughter. Although she listens primarily to what is commonly referred to as “Emo” music, she has a soft spot for K-Pop also. She had mentioned that she wanted to watch it, and it gave us the perfect opportunity to watch something together, which is rare nowadays with a very social thirteen-year-old.
From the moment we started, we were completely transfixed by what was on screen. It begins with a brief history of demons and their evolving role in society throughout the years. Right off the bat, the animation is stunning, and it serves as a great lesson for those unfamiliar with the role these entities play in Korean culture. These demons are agents of chaos out to devour souls to feed their ruler, Gwi-Ma. Eventually, three women rise as demon hunters and seal demons away from the human world behind a barrier known as the Honmoon. They pass this down generations, with each trio using their voices to maintain the Honmoon.
The story revolves around a K-Pop group known as HUNTR/X, consisting of members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey. Since childhood, they have trained in the ways of demon hunting and are pros at everything they do, including their rise to the top of the music charts. In the underworld, a demon named Jinu hatches a plan to steal HUNTR/X’s powers by stealing their fans. To achieve this, they form their own K-pop group, known as the Saja Boys. The plan works for a bit before the girls find out they are demons, setting the stage for an epic battle that can only be fought using the power of music.
Considering the world it’s based in, this is one of the most Rock N’ Roll animated films I have ever seen. It’s full of demon-slaying action sequences that are fluid, and each one is accompanied by either a bombastic score or a musical sequence performed by the group. It is so fluid and kinetic, bringing you into the fights with such ease and, oddly, believability. Most importantly, they are a lot of fun and stay within a family-friendly PG rating.
As someone who knows very little about the subject matter, it was a fun ride from start to finish. The animation is gorgeous, along with a wonderful soundtrack and voice cast. Sony Studios Animation has had their share of hits and misses, and this one falls into the hits category. In many ways, it reminds me of Pixar’s Turning Red, a film that is deeply specific and personal but one that everybody can enjoy and relate to to an extent. There are many allegories in this movie that are hard to ignore, especially in the times we are living in today. They aren’t in your face about it, but they are there, and it’s a beautiful thing. It’s a movie I wasn’t expecting to like as much as I did, and I’m glad I gave it a shot. It’s good!
Rating: 3 Pastrami Nations out of 5
