There’s no question that K-pop has taken the West by storm. Multiple groups have stolen the hearts of thousands in the United States, giving young people opportunities to explore a genre and culture that was previously unknown to them. Perhaps the most creative concept to come out of K-pop’s worldwide boom is a film that puts a fantasy spin on it.

KPop Demon Hunters (2025) follows girl group Huntrix and their double lives, as the title suggests, as demon hunters. Think demon-slaying Hannah Montana. I was concerned at first, as organically portraying a K-pop group and their fans surrounding it is a daunting task for a major North American studio. This very well could have been another Emoji Movie (2017) situation for Sony Pictures Animation. Luckily, I was proven very wrong.

KPop Demon Hunters works so well, one reason is that the writers clearly put so much effort into ensuring the portrayal of K-pop reflected the real groups and fans they were inspired by. Hearing realistic fan chants and seeing Huntrix light sticks in the film proved that this was not simply using K-pop as a gimmick, but exploring the impact it has on the world. 

As the film constructs a holistic view of K-pop, the original songs aid its realism and will likely be on people’s playlists in the coming days. Additionally, Huntrix feels like a real group and provides audiences with an intimate look at the responsibilities its members have not just as demon hunters, but as role models and inspirations for their fans. 

This film is not as outwardly humorous as Sony Pictures Animation’s other ventures, but maintains the visual qualities of some of its best. I am immediately reminded of the Spider-Verse films from 2018 and 2023, a dynamic feat of CG animation that blends multiple styles and pays homage to manhwa, or Korean comics/cartoons. The character designs for Huntrix further heighten the diegetic world, supplying perfect cosplay material for fans while exploring their personalities visually.

The core vocal performances from Arden Cho, May Hong, and Ji-young Yoo as Rumi, Mira, and Zoey, respectively, are wonderful. As stated before, Huntrix feels like a real K-pop group, and the vocal performances exhibit a chemistry that is just as tangible. The dynamics and personalities between each member are visible in every line delivery. The other vocal performances, including Ken Jeong and Squid Game’s Lee Byung-Hun, are stellar as well and round out an impressive set of vocal performances from Asian talent.

Many, like myself, may find the arc of the main character Rumi (Cho) to be half-baked. Her story is one audiences have likely seen before, but at the end of the day, the film still tells an important message about facing your demons, both physical and emotional. Despite the familiar theme, the film maintains strong visuals that will undoubtedly steal the hearts of audiences of all ages. The attention to detail and Asian animation influences craft a meaningful and distinct style for the story and the subject. Sony Pictures Animation nails modern-day CG animation, using traditional 2D techniques, and this is a clear example of that prowess.

KPop Demon Hunters is a welcome surprise for fans of animated films that will likely fly under the radar. Whether that’s due to Netflix’s near nonexistent marketing of the film is up for debate, but it would be a disservice not to shout out the clear attention to detail and expert animation on display here. Mix that with a compelling premise and some killer original songs, and you have a hidden gem of a film streaming right now.

Review Courtesy of Nadia Arain

Feature Image Credit to Netflix