Holy Night: Demon Hunters (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
When you mix Korea’s gritty gangster energy with supernatural exorcisms and a touch of absurdist flair, you get Holy Night: Demon Hunters—a genre-blending action-horror spectacle led by the ever-charismatic Ma Dong-seok. Released in South Korea on April 30, 2025, this occult action flick attempts to punch (literally) its way through tropes and clichés with varying results.
Synopsis: Punching Evil, One Demon at a Time
Directed and co-written by Lim Dae-hee, with action icon Ma Dong-seok (also known as Don Lee) involved in the writing and production, Holy Night: Demon Hunters centers on a trio of exorcists-for-hire operating under the name “Holy Night.” The team consists of:
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Ba-woo (Ma Dong-seok): A stoic, muscle-bound fighter with an apparent ability to knock demons out of possessed bodies.
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Sharon (Seohyun): A beautiful yet deadly spiritualist who performs modernized rituals and communicates with spirits.
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Kim Gun (David Lee): The young tech-savvy member responsible for recording sessions and managing logistics.
The group is hired by psychiatrist Jung-won (Gyeong Su-jin) to save her sister Eun-seo, who is experiencing terrifying possessions. What begins as a simple exorcism spirals into a larger conspiracy involving a secretive cult, hellish invaders, and a city on the brink of spiritual collapse.
A Supernatural Action Film with a Split Personality
At its best, Holy Night: Demon Hunters is fun, fast, and visually dynamic. The movie cleverly introduces a six-step demon banishment ritual, which adds structure to the otherwise chaotic narrative. Found-footage segments from CCTV cameras and surveillance tools bring in a chilling, almost “Paranormal Activity”-like atmosphere.
Yet the film suffers from identity issues. It shifts uncomfortably between horror and slapstick humor, never quite committing to either. The presence of cultists adorned with neck tattoos and cliché exorcism chants hinders originality. Add to that a barrage of jump scares and an over-reliance on genre tropes, and the film starts to feel like a mash-up of The Conjuring, Ghostbusters, and a mid-tier superhero flick.
What Works
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Ma Dong-seok’s Presence: Watching him uppercut a demon out of a body is undeniably entertaining.
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Inventive Exorcism Rituals: The steps feel like a blend of modern science and ancient lore.
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Visual Style: The use of dark spaces, flickering lights, and multi-camera setups brings some fresh energy.
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Fantasy-Action Hybridity: There’s enough flair to satisfy fans of Korean genre-bending films like Along With the Gods.
What Doesn’t
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Cliché-ridden Script: Dialogue often devolves into pure exposition.
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Uneven Tone: The horror-humor balance is inconsistent.
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Wasted Potential: Intriguing ideas—like an underground demon cult or Ba-woo’s mysterious past—are raised but never fully explored.
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Low Stakes in High Stakes Moments: Emotional arcs are rushed, reducing dramatic impact.
Audience Reactions: A Mixed Bag
Some viewers praise the film’s creativity and entertainment value. Others are baffled by its incoherent lore drops and awkward tone shifts. One comment perfectly summarized the duality: “It’s like Ma Dong-seok meets The Conjuring, with some Ghostbuster cosplay thrown in.”
Another viewer said, “Just when I thought this was a horror, Ma Dong-seok pulls a Superman punch on a bull demon. I was both confused and entertained.”
Streaming Availability in the U.S.
As of May 2025, Holy Night: Demon Hunters is not yet available on any U.S. streaming platforms. It has not been released on major services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or Max.
However, based on the film’s genre and production background (Big Punch Pictures and Lotte Entertainment), we predict it may become available on platforms like:
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Shudder (for horror-focused content)
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Viki or Rakuten TV (for Korean and Asian drama/horror films)
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Amazon Prime Video (as a rental or purchase title)
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Apple TV (purchase or rental)
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Netflix (if acquired under its expanding Korean content deal)
You can monitor streaming availability via the official JustWatch link here.
Final Verdict
Holy Night: Demon Hunters is a popcorn flick that delivers punches more than chills. If you love Ma Dong-seok’s particular brand of bone-crushing justice, or if you’re curious about a new twist on Korean exorcism films, it’s worth a watch—just don’t expect The Wailing or Exhuma. It’s flashy, fun in bursts, but ultimately uneven.
Despite its flaws, the film lays obvious groundwork for a sequel. The world-building hints at a much larger spiritual war brewing, and with the right creative adjustments, the Holy Night franchise could grow into something more substantial.
Where to Watch Online (Summary)
| Platform | Availability | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Not Available | – |
| Amazon Prime Video | Not Available | Possible Rental |
| Apple TV | Not Available | Possible Purchase |
| Hulu | Not Available | – |
| Shudder | Not Available | Possible Future Release |
| Viki | Not Available | Likely Platform |
Check real-time updates here: JustWatch – Holy Night: Demon Hunters
Looking for something bold, weird, and wildly entertaining? Keep Holy Night: Demon Hunters on your radar. While it’s not yet available on U.S. streaming services, it’s only a matter of time before Ba-woo’s demon-slaying fists land on your screen. Bookmark JustWatch to stay updated—and prepare for the sequel!
