K-Pop Demon Hunters: How a Netflix Surprise Became a 10/10

When K-Pop Demon Hunters dropped directly to Netflix on June 20th, I—like many of you—scrolled right past it in search of something else. Not only was this movie not on my radar, I was confident that I, a Gen X woman, was not the target audience. I’m not into K-Pop, I don’t watch anime, and I don’t typically rush out to see animated films, although the “Demon Hunter” angle did sound intriguing (Buffy was one of the heroines of my generation, alongside Sarah Connor and Ripley. We had it so good.)

So when one of my Millennial friends insisted I watch it, I brushed it off. When one of my Millennial cousins chimed in, I finally gave in. To my surprise, it was good—really good. Upon rewatch, I’d score it near-perfect: a solid 10/10. And that’s not a small feat coming from someone who’s taken three semesters of film school and is usually critical of the slop hitting theaters these days.

What Makes It Great?

First and foremost, the film itself is just fantastic. The story follows a popular KPop girl group HUNTR/X who moonlight as demon hunters (anyone remember Jem and the Holograms? IYKYK). The cast of characters shines: Rumi is a relatable heroine; Mira and Zoey bring distinct personalities; and Jinu is a dynamic villain with a clear motivation and backstory.

The themes elevate the film further: it’s about the destructive power of shame, and finding the courage to trust a found family to offer strength and support when needed. The pacing is also spot-on. Every scene and every song earns its place, and this movie is never boring.

Cultural Flavor & Fresh Storytelling

As the perceptive NerdNet audience knows, what makes a film great doesn’t always align with what makes it popular. Fortunately, this movie has both. Like a perfectly packed bento box, it balances all the right ingredients.

The film obviously benefits from the global popularity of K-Pop and anime, but it also delivers a fresh spin on a familiar demon-hunting premise. The animation is expressive and inventive—even to an American viewer who doesn’t watch anime. Emotions explode in visual flourishes: bulging eyes, popcorn exploding out of eyes (genius), and waterfalling tears are just a few of the more memorable exaggerated cartoonish expressions, and I loved it!

The touches of Korean culture and lore are refreshing to see from an American perspective. They feel authentic and perfectly integrated into the film’s tone. The film weaves in Korean mythology—including dokkaebi (goblins), the Tiger & Magpie duo, and the jeoseung saja which clearly inspired the Saja Boys’ “Grim Reaper” aesthetic. It also celebrates Korean pop culture, from snack culture to fandom and parasocial relationships.

The Soundtrack: Hooks for Days

Another key to its global success is the phenomenal soundtrack, which has more hooks than a Bass Pro Shop. Be warned: once you listen, these earworms will camp rent-free in your head for days. (I speak from experience.)

The music isn’t just fun; it’s meaningful. The final number gives me chills every time, perfectly capturing the climax where the girls reclaim their bond, their voices, and their fans. I’m far from the only one under its spell: the soundtrack is now Billboard’s highest-charting soundtrack of 2025, with four songs currently in the Billboard Global Top 10. “Golden” even became the first No. 1 song by a girl group since Destiny’s Child’s “Bootylicious” in 2001.

Wholesome Yet Epic

Despite the soul-stealing demons and a few fight scenes, the movie is wholesome and PG—fun for kids and adults. With Pixar’s Elio and Disney’s Snow White struggling at the box office, this Sony Animation/Netflix release was perfectly positioned to become the surprise family-friendly hit of the year.

Currently it sits at #7 on NerdNet’s Top 100 Movies to Watch Right Now and is Netflix’s second most popular English-language film of all time, prompting them to do a limited theater release so fans can sing along and help seal the Honmoon – the magical shield which is powered by fans and prevents soul-stealing demons from entering the human world.

So congratulations to Sony, Netlix, and filmmakers Chris Appelhans and Maggie Kang for giving us the best movie of the summer and showing us all “How it’s Done Done Done.”

NerdScore 10/10

Kpop Demon Hunters (2025) Review

By Gira Bhakta • August 22, 2025 • Full Review

Review Summary

A high-energy, demon-slaying spectacle that fuses K-pop flash with supernatural thrills—Kpop Demon Hunters is a stylish, unexpected 10/10 Netflix hit.

About the Film

A fantasy action-musical where a group of K-pop idols fight demonic forces threatening the world, blending spectacle, heart, and catchy anthems.

IMDb 7.6/10

Metacritic 77/100

Rotten Tomatoes 98%

Where to Watch

Have you seen the film? What was your favorite part? Have you listened to the soundtrack? What is your favorite song? Will you be attending a singalong event? Please let us know what you think in the comments!