The most-watched Netflix film of all time — viewed 266 million times, featuring an original song with over 500 million Spotify streams — centers around a Korean pop girl group fighting a demon boy band with a magical song in order to save the world.
Sony Pictures Animation’s “KPop Demon Hunters” released directly to Netflix on June 20, 2025 has since become a nearly inescapable part of popular culture. But does this neon-colored, anime-inspired film about K-pop stars fighting demons really deserve its success?
Critics of this film will write it off as childish, conceptually confusing and a visually and musically overstimulating experience. But “KPop Demon Hunters” thrives in its unrelenting optimism, unique worldbuilding and creative Korean flair in its songs and animation.
The film’s most obvious triumph is its striking anime-inspired animation. The film is visually dynamic, with each scene featuring bold lighting and color palettes perfectly matched to the tone of the moment, from fiery oranges and deep reds during the climax to soft blues and purples during romantic moments.
2018’s “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” also created by Sony, is most often credited with the popularization of incorporating 2D techniques and unique visual styles into 3D animation, which became relatively one-size-fits-all in the early 2010s.
Since then, films like “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” and, of course, “KPop Demon Hunters” have proven that animation is a medium, not a genre and this medium’s greatest strength lies in its potential to create something completely unique.
Apart from its stunning animation, the film features seven original songs, which all manage to create unique identities for themselves while remaining unified by their K-pop roots.
“Soda Pop” received the most attention online thanks to its upbeat and catchy lyrics, which thematically tie into the Saja Boys’ desire to steal K-pop fans and their souls using irresistible earworm songs.
However, I personally believe the soundtrack’s strongest showing comes in the opening with “How It’s Done.” This energetic fight song serves as the perfect introduction to the excitement of the film and its protagonists.
The rap segments are clearly crafted with care and a blast to listen to, even outside of the film. The Korean lyrics are integrated seamlessly without condescending English translations, much like a song from a real K-pop group.
The close-knit and passionate ‘stan’ culture surrounding K-pop groups is simultaneously parodied and honored by the protagonists, who are always kind and appreciative to their fans and how their passion is what ultimately keeps the demon realm at bay.
The distinct personalities of the primary K-pop group, HUNTR/X, is another strength of the film. While main protagonist Rumi has the most time to shine through her romantic subplot and secret demonic heritage, her bandmates aren’t left in the dust. Zoey is bubbly and sassy while Mira is cool and rebellious, yet they both show clear insecurities and a desire to hold onto their found family.
Their group chemistry serves as a powerful example of supportive female friendship, tying into the primary theme of the film — that learning to accept all parts of yourself and being vulnerable with those you love is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Jinu’s character is equally strong, serving as both a romantic interest and character foil for Rumi, who begins to see through him that demons are manipulated by the main villain, Gwi-Ma, and that while they made selfish mistakes, these mistakes are not all that defines them. They ultimately learn from each other how to accept their demon identities and embrace selflessness.
Jinu’s Saja Boy bandmates do not have as distinct of personalities as he does, being boiled down to ‘the one with abs’ or ‘the baby one,’ but they still invite the viewer to choose favorite band members and enjoy their onscreen interactions, much like a real boy band.
No, the film isn’t perfect. Gwi-Ma, for instance, is a one-note evil force. The other demons are given equally little substance, which muddles the idea of Rumi being able to see demons as more than pure evil. Especially when she and her friends spend the climax slaying them, including the other Saja Boys, without a second thought.
The ending itself is a little weak, with the power of friendship and song ultimately saving the day. Although, if any film deserves to use this resolution, it’s a film where music is established to hold magical demon-slaying properties.
The film also suffers from a third act band breakup when Rumi is revealed as a demon, undermining the film’s messaging about not hiding things from the ones you love because they will be understanding. And, considering how quickly Rumi is forgiven, it feels that this plot beat could have been written out easily in favor of a more mature and subversive reaction.
While “KPop Demon Hunters” is not immune from the occasional cliche or plot hole, the clear passion and energy poured into every frame of animation, each line of song and the heartfelt message at its core should be reason enough to justify this film’s success.
