Holy Night: Demon Hunters Review

Don Lee (Ma Dong-seok) is one of the most recognisable names in contemporary South Korean cinema. Whether it’s his memorable role in Train to Busan or his lovable charm in The Roundup franchise—which has achieved both critical and commercial success, breaking numerous box office records in South Korea—Don Lee is undeniably a megastar. However, with that status comes a turning point in any career: do you ride the coattails of what made you successful, following in the footsteps of someone like Ryan Reynolds, or do you strive for variety, challenging your audience’s expectations? Don Lee masterfully embraces the latter with Holy Night: Demon Hunters, a spine-tingling horror/thriller that is truly gripping.

We begin with a trio of demon hunters known as Holy Night, comprising the muscle-bound Ba (Don Lee), the exorcist Sharon (Seo Hyun), and the cameraman Kim (David Lee). They utilise their powers to expel evil spirits from the human realm. One day, a neuropsychiatrist, Jung-won (Kyung Soo-jin), visits their office at the recommendation of Father Marco. Her sister, Eun-seo (Jung Ji-so), has been possessed by a demon following a family tragedy and a subsequent move to a new house. With no medical treatment proving effective, Jung-won reaches out to Holy Night in a desperate bid to save her sister.

Beginning as a typical Don Lee action film—complete with heavy fists crushing faces and a touch of spookiness—Holy Night: Demon Hunters gradually transforms into a truly horrifying experience. While I was never petrified or physically shaken, the scares were effective in cultivating a genuine sense of dread. This is particularly evident during the exorcism scene, which occupies a substantial portion of the film’s latter half, presenting a gripping and powerfully executed piece of horror. The way the film escalates tension through the stages of the exorcism is exquisite, culminating in a final payoff that is thoroughly rewarding.

The film takes its time building up to the exorcism, with the first half slightly bogged down by exposition—explaining Ba’s role as a demon hunter, detailing how he met Sharon and Kim, and illustrating the extent of Eun-seo’s possession. While this information is necessary, it can feel overwhelming, especially given the film’s brisk runtime of one hour and 32 minutes. By the time we reach the exorcism, the narrative is racing toward its conclusion. Though I wish there had been a moment to breathe, I also believe the film ends at just the right point and doesn’t overstay its welcome.

The horror and action complement each other beautifully, particularly as the action sequences are well shot—every frame feels meticulously crafted to convey the impact of each blow. Coupled with the film’s effective use of wirework to illustrate the lethality of Ba’s fists, the action is nothing short of mesmerising. Watching a character fly down a hallway—albeit over the top—is incredibly satisfying. Don Lee is truly a master of action films featuring larger-than-life heroes, and Holy Night: Demon Hunters exemplifies this talent.

Surprisingly, Seo Hyun as Sharon carries the film with an outstanding performance. She plays a pivotal role in the exorcisms, captivating the audience, and the subtle changes in her appearance—such as her greying hair throughout the exorcism—are a great attention to detail that enhance her performance. Don Lee is also impressive; although he portrays a character similar to his role in The Roundup, his charisma makes it hard not to fall in love with Ba. He also brings a deeper emotional layer to the character, reflecting Ba’s past trauma.

Holy Night: Demon Hunters is an exceptional horror-action film—a genuinely unique and enthralling experience that never lets go from beginning to end. A true gem of a film.