‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Review (Netflix)
Features the voices of: Arden Cho, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo | Written and Directed by Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang
When it comes to film titles, conversations are often shared about misleading examples. For instance, Paddy Considine’s Tyrannosaur is nothing like one would expect from the title alone. A fascinating conversation can be had about the inverse, where a title tells you everything that you need to know about the film. In that regard, KPop Demon Hunters is a film that does exactly what it says on the tin.
The story follows K-Pop superstars Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong) and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo). As the girl group, Huntr/x, they sell out stadiums and perform to their legions of fans. Behind the scenes, the trio fight demons to protect humanity, with their growing fandom invigorating the group’s abilities.
In order to stop the demons, Huntr/x’s end goal is to seal them from the human world by creating a magical barrier known as the Honmoon. While the demons cannot defeat the group in battle, one member named Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop) has an alternate idea; form a demon boyband known as the Saja Boys, and stop the Honmoon by taking Huntr/x’s arsenal of fans.
With a history of working in the animation department, Chris Appelhans (Wish Dragon) and Maggie Kang unite as co-writers/directors for this animated feature. The film was made by Sony Pictures Animation before being passed to Netflix for a direct-to-streaming release. It is a shame that this feature was not given a cinematic release, as the gorgeous animation style deserves to be experienced on the big screen.
Appelhans confirms that they drew inspiration from different places, including “music videos, editorial photography, K-dramas, concert lighting,” and “a touch of anime”. The result is an eye-catching style that gives KPop Demon Hunters a distinctive visual identity, effectively capturing emotions on characters’ faces while also exaggerating features for comedic effect. Add to that a catchy soundtrack, and the result feels destined for sing-along screenings at cinemas.
Regarding the story and characters, this is where matters are not as dynamic. The central characters are effectively distinctive and wonderfully developed, ensuring the bonds forged are keenly felt across the swiftly moving runtime. The remaining characters feel less impressive, including Lee Byung-hun’s king of the demons, filling the space in-between the engaging characters.
There are also story beats that feel in need of retiring, particularly involving the fallout regarding a kept secret that clashes with established relationships. What’s more resonant are the elements regarding atonement, opening up about one’s struggles, and being true to yourself. These various elements make for an effective feature about living your best life, not letting your past define you, and the transformative power of music. It all makes for a film that will certainly satisfy K-Pop fans, although KPop Demon Hunters is welcoming enough for any uninitiated viewers to enjoy themselves.
***½ 3.5/5
KPop Demon Hunters is available to watch on Netflix now.
