Holy Night: Demon Hunters Release Date, Storyline, and Everything You Need To Know
Getting some more action horror in the form of “Holy Night: Demon Hunters”, a South Korean film that seems to offer timely twists on familiar cult genre tropes. Released on April 30, 2025, this tentpole flick features an elite team battling dark forces in a city gripped by fear. Experts say this movie will also target horror and action film fans.
New Release And Promotion for Holy Night: Demon Hunters
Lotte Entertainment will release the film in South Korea on April 30, 2025, followed by international release dates. The promotional campaign for the film started in October last year with the launch of a prequel webtoon titled “Holy Night: The Zero,” illustrated by Jeong Han-gil and serialized on Naver Webtoon. This digital comic explores the demon-hunting team’s backstory and has gained a sturdy following.
A trio of just-released posters shows the film’s three main characters standing tall against a dark backdrop, Ma Dong-seok at the forefront, exuding the trademark tough-guy aura. The teaser trailer, released last week, offers glimpses of the action sequences and supernatural elements without revealing much of the filmmakers’ interpretations of the main villains.
The promotional materials have been met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans. Across social media platforms, the hashtag #HolyNightMovie has garnered steady buzz, especially from Ma Dong-seok and Seohyun fans. Analysts expect it to have a powerful opening weekend, especially with the lack of other action releases in that timeframe.
There will also be a special premiere event on April 25 at the Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, where cast members will meet with fans and answer questions about the film. Other promotional activities include the pop-up experience in Hongdae, where visitors can enter set recreations from the movie.
Holy Night: Demon Hunters The Story So Far
Set against the backdrop of present-day Seoul, the story follows a devil-worshipping criminal network that’s turned the city upside down. When regular law enforcement cannot contain the looming threat, a special team called Holy Night is brought in to help. Each demon hunter trio has natural powers that make them the final line of defense against evil forces.
The team is led by Ba Woo, played by action star Ma Dong-seok, whose incredible strength and fighting skills are integral to the plan. Sharon, played by ex-Girls’ Generation member Seohyun, has mystical knowledge and the ability to sense demons. Kim Gun (Lee David), who documents their missions and provides tactical assistance, completes the team.
The film finds neuropsychiatrist Jung-won (Kyung Soo-jin) going to the Holy Night team when her younger sister Eun-seo (Jung Ji-so) gets wrapped up in the dangerous cult. However, it was all about Eun-seo, and now this team tries to uncover the real reason behind that. As the team proceeds, they come across a plan that can destroy Eun-seo and the whole city.
Whether it be frantic action scenes or terrifying horror genres, the director Lim Dae-hee promises an all-encompassing blend. “We wanted to make something fresh in both genres,” explains Lim. “The film is big action, but it also has moments that will frighten audiences.”
Get a Look at Star-Studded Holy Night: Demon Hunters Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character | Description | Notable Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee) | Ba Woo | Supernaturally strong leader of the Holy Night team; serves as the group’s muscle—also a producer through Big Punch Pictures. | Train to Busan, Eternals |
| Seohyun | Sharon | Mysterious exorcist with the ability to track and combat demonic forces. | Time, Jinxed at First |
| Lee David | Kim Gun | Tech specialist and mission documentarian; provides comic relief. | Parasite, The Fortress |
| Kyung Soo-jin | Jung-won | Neuropsychiatrist skeptical of the supernatural; seeks help for her sister. | Weightlifting Fairy, Eun Dong, My Love |
| Jung Ji-so | Eun-seo | Jung-won’s younger sister is entangled with a demonic cult, an emotionally complex role. | Parasite, The Glory |
| Various Veterans | Undisclosed Roles | Portraying cult leaders, city officials, and possessed victims. Roles kept secret pre-release. | N/A |
How to watch Holy Night: Demon Hunters
Holy Night: Demon Hunters will first reach South Korean theaters on April 30, 2025, with distribution by Lotte Entertainment. It will be exclusive to major chains (CGV, Megabox, Lotte Cinema). After its Korean premiere, international releases will roll out in select Asian markets (Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan).
Digital streaming will be available three months after its release, and it may happen on Netflix and TVING platforms. Fans outside the United States should see screenings in some locations, with updates on international availability shared on the film’s official social media as the release date approaches.
Holy Night: Demon Hunters Behind the Scenes
Principal photography commenced on June 28, 2021, and was filmed in various locations throughout Seoul and the neighboring area. The production team built elaborate sets for where the cult hides out and the Holy Night team has its headquarters. Special effects supervisor Kim Min-ho oversaw practical effects and CGI elements to bring the supernatural aspects of the film to life.
“For the demon characters, we did a combination of practical makeup effects and digital augmentation,” Kim said. “Director Lim wanted the monsters to feel real and threatening, not just computer things.”
The action sequences in the film required extensive preparation. Having previously collaborated with Ma Dong-seok on the “The Outlaws” series, action director Park Jung-ryul designed different fighting styles for each character. Ma’s character integrates raw strength and street fighting techniques, while Seohyun’s Sharon adds fluid movement techniques inspired by traditional Korean shamanism.
Despite the challenging shoot, which finished on September 12, 2021, the cast has fond things to say about the atmosphere on set. “Even in the serious moments, we tried to keep things light between takes,” Lee David said. “Ma Dong-seok is always joking and lifting everyone’s spirits.”
That lengthy post-production schedule afforded the team time to craft the movie’s visual effects and atmospheric sound design, two essential components for helping create the movie’s supernatural world.
Why Holy Night: Demon Hunters Is Unforgettable And A Must-Play Action Horror
South Korean cinema has a long history of celebrated horror films and action thrillers, but Holy Night: Demon Hunters is a reasonably unusual hybrid. Director Lim draws on influences ranging from The Exorcist to The Night Comes for Us, achieving a tone that swings from supernatural dread to flamboyant fight scenes.
The film also distinguishes itself by including themes from Korean folklore and shamanism, which gives the supernatural elements a distinctly Korean flavor instead of adhering to Western horror conventions. Sharon’s character, in particular, is based on traditional beliefs around spirits and exorcism rituals.
Initial screening responses indicate the film strikes an effective balance between both, with none shortchanged. “The action scenes hit hard, but there are truly creepy moments,” one person who screened it so far observed. “It doesn’t feel like they just threw demons behind an action movie or war scenes behind a horror movie. Both feel like necessary components of the story.”
If it hits, they want to turn “Holy Night: Demon Hunters” into a franchise—there are even whispers of sequels. The prequel webtoon has helped establish a deeper mythology, and there’s plenty of material to work from for any upcoming installments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Holy Night: Demon Hunters Release Date
Actor Hal Ashby directs the film, which is slated to hit South Korea’s theaters on April 30, 2025. International release dates will be announced later
Who is in the cast of Holy Night: Demon Hunters?
The cast includes Ma Dong-seok as Ba Woo, Seohyun as Sharon, Lee David as Kim Gun, Kyung Soo-jin as Jung-won, and Jung Ji-so as Eun-seo.
What is the film about?
The story follows a trio of demon slayers with supernatural abilities who take on a cult of devil worshippers threatening the city of Seoul. They’re summoned to assist when a neuropsychiatrist’s sister is drawn into a dangerous organization.
What to expect from Holy Night: Demon Hunters?
However, in October 2024, a year before this film, a prequel—a webtoon titled “Holy Night: The Zero”—was released. If the film does well, sequels could follow.
What type of game is Holy Night: Demon Hunters?
It was closest to being an action horror film or occult action thriller, combining supernatural features with high-stakes, brutal fighting.
Final Thoughts
This welcome new chapter in South Korean genre cinema arrives with Holy Night: Demon Hunters.” Combining its action and horror elements with a star-powered cast and typically local flavor regarding supernatural topics, the film will surely be thrilling and scary in theaters this spring. Whether as an entry in an existing franchise or a standalone work, it adds to the ongoing evolution of Korean filmmaking as it pushes past generic boundaries toward making exciting new cinema.
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