Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force Review

Fantasy has never captivated me the way sci-fi has. From the exploration of Pandora to the unimaginable task of turning Earth into a glorified spaceship, sci-fi resonates with me on a profound level. However, this notion was completely upended when I watched Creation of the Gods 1: Kingdom of Storms, a breathtaking film that shattered my mental barriers regarding fantasy storytelling. Heading into its sequel, Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force, I was concerned that lightning wouldn’t strike twice. While it does surpass the highs of the original, the lows of the first film are even more pronounced in the sequel.

Taking place shortly after the events of the first film, the story opens with the immortals of Kunlun, Nezha (Wu Yafan) and Yang Jian (Ci Sha), bringing the corpse of Yin Jiao (Chen Muchi)—the former crown prince of the Zhou dynasty in hopes of resurrecting him. Meanwhile, on his deathbed, King Zhou (Kris Phillips) orders Deng Chanyu (NaErNaXi), a general in Wen Zhong’s army, to capture Ji Fa (Yu Shi) and the Fengshen Bang. Trapped in his homeland of Xiqi, Ji Fa, with only a small army and the aid of a few immortals, must defy the odds and defend his people against Wen Zhong’s forces.

When the credits rolled and the theater lights suddenly came on, I needed a moment to process what had just transpired. Overwhelmed by the flurry of character names and newly introduced plot points, I wasn’t sure if my brain had fully grasped everything. Even now, as I summarize the events, I wonder if I’ve included all the key moments necessary for a brief understanding of this film. While the first installment was similarly overstuffed, it had a magical way of smoothly transitioning from one narrative thread to another. In Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force, however, the pacing feels abrupt, as if the film is scrambling to reintroduce everyone within a limited window of time.

With so much time spent reintroducing familiar characters, it’s easy to forget that the film also has new characters to establish—mainly the antagonists. While King Zhou remains the overarching villain of this trilogy, he lingers more in the background in this installment. Instead, Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force shifts its focus to Wen Zhong’s army, with General Deng Chanyu emerging as the primary threat to Ji Fa.

Visually distinct from the first film’s army—who were clad in white—this black-armored demon army is both striking and menacing, even without the four towering demonic giants that accompany them. Deng Chanyu, played fiercely by NaErNaXi, is an imposing presence. Initially mocked for being a woman, she quickly proves herself more than capable, demonstrating superior combat skills that surpass those of her own soldiers.

What elevates this film above its predecessor is the action. With a vast array of set pieces, each sequence feels unique and dynamic, constantly pushing the scale and creativity further. One standout moment sees a horse leaping between the crumbling platforms of a bridge while pursuing Ji Fa’s army into a canyon. What begins as a straightforward chase quickly escalates, culminating in a sword shattering into fragments—only for those fragments to transform into a dragon. Even as the film nears its conclusion, the action remains otherworldly and utterly captivating.

Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force is a great sequel, but it ultimately falls short of its predecessor’s success. Everything that made the first film compelling is still here, yet the convoluted story returns—and this time, it’s even more difficult to follow. Hopefully, the third and final installment will weave these loose threads into something truly magical.