Netflix’ newest family film, K-Pop Demon Hunters, might intially present itself as a niche film intending to only appeal to fans of K-Pop and K-Dramas, but ends up being one of the most enjoyable family films of 2025.
Set in present-day Seoul, the film follows fictional K-Pop band Huntrix, who live double lives as K-Pop stars by day, whilst hunting demons on the side, with their goal to eliminate demons out of the world for good. Fans of the genre will enjoy seeing many references to real-life K-Pop groups here, from musical, style and choreographical references to groups such as BLACKPINK, 2NE1 and ITZY, whilst TWICE (three of their members contribute to a song on the soundtrack) and MEOVV even get shoutouts in-universe.
Like a cross between Hannah Montana and the Totally Spies girls, Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) find their mission threatened when a new boyband arrives on the scene, the Saja Boys. However, these are no ordinary boys, as they’re secretly demons that are hoping to finally swing the fight between humans and demons to the latter’s favour. Again, fans of the music genre will find many group references to enjoy here, such as from BTS, Astro, EXO, TXT, Stray Kids, ENHYPEN and ATEEZ.
There’s a certain level of charm in the film’s willingness to connect with specific trends and elements of fan engagement that are specific to K-Pop. However, at no point does the film feel like it is mocking or looking down on the immense level of love that fans of K-Pop have for their groups, and it is notable that the film places heavy emphasis on how fandom power to the ability to bring strength and unity against the darkness.
A second layer also emerges during the film, as directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans also question perfectionism versus embracing one’s true identity. As a family film it’s not something that is overly investigated within the film’s one hour and thirty-nine minute run time, but it adds to a rewarding and satisfying ending that still has a few more tricks up its sleeve before it sticks the landing.
Director Kang said, “I began on a journey to create a film that spoke to me and the world, while showcasing the many beautiful aspects about my heritage. The first thing that came to mind was Korea’s rich mythology, and specifically, the supernatural world around demonology which is so different from anything we’ve seen in mainstream media. The thought of demons led to the idea of demon hunters: a group of amazing women warriors who fight an evil force and protect the world from it in secret.”
This passion for Korean culture comes through so clearly in the the work, from the utilisation of Korean weapons, to the appearance of the samjok-o, the powerful three-eyed crow from Korean mythology. The animation style and choreography is as a feast for the eyes: concert sequences and camera seem pulled from real K-Pop stages and even the fight choreography seems like an extension of the characters’ dance moves.
Viewers will not be disappointed by the music on offer: the voice actors deliver with the incredibly catchy tracks, with the songs sounding like they could be pulled from a number of groups’ albums today, and for those who love their fashion, the outfits of both Huntrix and the Saja Boys are enjoyable to dissect, especially upon a second watch.
The film is ultimately a passionate advocate for art as strength, as art as a force that cultivates community and acceptance, and the messages around sacrifice and unity – especially female unity – makes K-Pop Demon Hunters unironically one of the most enjoyable superhero-adjacent films of the year, and one that is richer upon a second viewing to spot the many various cultural and visual layers within.
Thus, K-Pop Demon Hunters is truly a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family, for it comes with a hearty recommend for anyone needing a story about connection, the power of music and a sprinkling of some good old butt-kicking. Don’t we all love a little bit of that?
K-Pop Demon Hunters is out on Netflix now.