K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) | Film Review

Well. I never thought I - 'The Guy Who Hates Everything' - would be asked to review this film for Hooked on Horror, but here we are.

Without a shadow of a doubt, readers with children will have already experienced the wonderful K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025, Kang & Appelhans). For those that haven't had the magnificent opportunity, I guess I'ma gear up, to [break] this down.

K-Pop Demon Hunters is a Golden action / fantasy musical, following three Korean Pop stars, Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) & Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) - together known as Huntr/x - as they navigate the music world as covert protectors and demon hunters. Their ultimate goal - aside from vanquishing demons, as a demon with no feelings, don't deserve to live - is to create a magical barrier called the Golden Honmoon, using their combined musical talents.

Of course, nothing is easy when facing off against demons ugly as sin. The trio's biggest obstacle, aside from the big bad - a personified immortal fire, named Gwi-Ma - are a counter pop-group, consisting of five (5) disguised Soda Pop demons, the Saja Boys.

Now you're all caught up, the following is nothing but the truth now.

K-Pop Demon Hunters feels like a return to the renaissance period of Disney animation. Animated by Sony Pictures and exclusive to Netflix, the film incorporates comedy and musical segments that match the artistic style, with thematic messaging that can be understood by young and old and isn't overly preachy.

Although not an overtly complex narrative - the casual good vs evil - the film does explore the blurred line between prejudices and identity. What we're taught to perceive as universally good, or bad, is called into question and we explore, in real-time, the breaking and reforging foundations of friendships as a result.

The film, in its simplicity, explores the fundamentals of relationships, tolerance & understanding of differences and the torments of secrets & guilt. Although, in one sentence I've called the film simplistic, then listed several complex themes, it is a testament to the films ability to delve into these ideas whilst maintaining a straight-forward experience.

Without question, the original music is the main identifier of the film. Boasting four (4) simultaneous top 10 songs, on the Billboards Top 100 and nominated for a minimum of five (5) 2026 Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year for Golden. The songs, inspired and created with the aid of representatives of renowned K-Pop bands & stars, resonate with all demographics (and also featured at my Wedding Reception).

K-Pop Demon Hunters (2025) | Film Review

These musical segments enable the film to take on more artistic flair, boosting colour integration and accompany some of the best choreographed Western animated fight scenes in recent years. A segment to note - although I won't detail it exactly to allow new-viewers to experience it themselves - is during the song What it Sounds Like that is best experienced within the context of the story.

Personally, I could talk about the significance of heritage and cultural imagery within the film and the importance of the fluidity of pacing. I could highlight some of the supporting characters, whose designs and actions within the film add to the warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart. I could discuss the beautiful lyrics of some of the films more impactful / emotive songs, but feel I shouldn't - to allow first-time viewers to enjoy and experience them in the moment.

K-Pop Demon Hunters is a fun and wonderfully moving animated film, that has more heart and entertaining moments than many feature films of the last decade. It's an unexpected, worldwide phenomenon - worthy of that title - with a prospective sequel scheduled in the next few years. Although my close friend, that has a young daughter, will wholeheartedly disagree - it's well-worth a first, second, third, fourth, fifth... one-hundredth time viewing.

Not to mention, there's a full singalong version available on Netflix. Who doesn't want to bob their shoulders, whilst singing, You're all I can think of, every drop I drink up, my little Soda Pop? Yes, I have every song downloaded on my Spotify, and yes, as mentioned before, we played some of the songs at our Wedding Reception, and yes, I absolutely loved this film.

Now I'll go back to hating everything.

K-Pop Demon Hunters is available now on Netflix.