KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters is an odd, although likable, all-ages animated film centered around the idea that demons are prevented from overtaking our world through the use of music sung by a select trio of women who also, when demons do slip through the cracks, take them down by more direct means with magic blades made by music. The current trio are Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) who together make up the uber-popular K-pop girl group Huntr/x.
With their popularity and strength growing to the point they may be able to seal the rift forever, the demon Gwi-Ma (Lee Byung-hun) sends five demons to Earth to start their own boy band whose popularity begins to chip into Huntre/x's fanbase and whose leader Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop) confuses Rumi about a secret she's been keeping from her best friends for years (which may be the most preposterous part of the whole movie).
It's various aspects cross over multiple genres from fantasy and romance to musical and comedy, making it accessible to the widest possible audience. The film's catchy tunes and comedic moments, often shining through the relatable awkwardness of the characters, help hide some of the more head-scratching aspects of the plot (such as Rumi hiding her pattens for years from the people she spends every waking minute with or how winning a single contest will somehow close the rift to the demon world forever).
Along the way we also get a demon cat (who doesn't get near enough love), a battle of the bands, a character learning to love the parts of herself she feels ashamed of, and friends (eventually) accepting each other for who they are in a final act that does feel a bit rushed. The film was a surprise hit for Netflix who is now seeking multiple ways to expand this world into a full franchise (which seems a bit problematic given the heroes' total victory at the end of the movie, but I'm sure the network will find a way).
Watch the trailer- Title: KPop Demon Hunters
- IMDb: link
