Ne Zha 2 Review (2025): The Return of the Demon Child

Last updated on 2025-06-07

Genre(s) – Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Family
Director – Jiaozi
Writer – Jiaozi
Voice Cast – Lü Yanting, Han Mo, Lü Qi, Zhang Jiaming, Wang Deshun, Li Nan, Yu Chen, Zhou Yongxi, Yang Wei
Runtime – 144 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆

Where To Watch/Stream Ne Zha 2

In a world of forgettable sequels, Ne Zha 2 doesn’t just rise – it soars like a phoenix wrapped in pure mythological madness.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t think the first Ne Zha was anything groundbreaking. It had some flashy visuals and a quirky take on a legendary Chinese figure, but it never really grabbed me. But then I hear about Ne Zha 2 breaking box office records in China ($1.5 billion), so I thought maybe this is the film that finally makes me care about a little demon child?

I would recommend watching the first film before this one, if you haven’t already.

Plot Summary of Ne Zha 2 (Spoiler-Free)

Ne Zha 2 picks up where the first movie left off, following the journey of Ne Zha, the mischievous and misunderstood demon child. The film continues his struggle to find his place in the world, balancing between good and evil while facing various threats from mythological beings who aren’t too thrilled with his existence.

We get some backstory, some epic battles, and some stunning animation. The film takes a deep dive into Chinese mythology, pulling in familiar faces like the Eastern Sea Dragon King and other iconic characters from the Investiture of the Gods, the classic Ming Dynasty novel that this movie is based on.

This time, the stakes are higher. as Ne Zha’s journey is filled with personal growth, father-son drama, and enough action sequences to make your head spin. Without diving into spoilers, let’s just say that this film takes the concepts of family, destiny, and choosing your own path, and kicks them up a notch. It’s emotional, it’s exciting, and you’ll be wondering how many action scenes you can get away with before your brain just turns to mush.

Ne Zha 2 Review: Is It Worth Watching?

This movie is absolutely gorgeous. No question about it. The animation is not just pretty to look at, it’s downright mesmerizing. From the opening scene, I was sitting there, wide-eyed, wondering how they managed to make something look so damn good. The level of detail in the environments is off the charts.

Everything from the underwater scenes to the magical battles is visually stunning. and I’m not exaggerating when I say that the animation here rivals some of the best in the industry. But, of course, animation alone doesn’t make a film great. The Ne Zha 2 team understands this, which is why the story takes center stage.

The plot is surprisingly emotional for an animated movie, and it deals with some pretty heavy themes – like parental expectations, self-discovery, and the age-old battle between destiny and free will, and it sure does pack a punch when it comes to emotional resonance. The way they handle Ne Zha’s internal conflict about who he’s supposed to be versus who he wants to be is well done, and I was actually genuinely moved by some of the moments.

The action scenes are also brilliant. You know that scene in every blockbuster where the hero does something so cool you have to fight the urge to cheer out loud? This movie has about ten of those moments. The fight choreography is amazing, with characters flying around, firing magic, and having these massive showdowns that are straight-up breathtaking.

And, for all you action fans, you’ll be pleased to know, there’s plenty of it. The battles are fast-paced, exciting, and often downright over the top – but in a good way. If you’re the kind of person who watches movies like Dragon Ball Z or One Punch Man and thinks, “Yeah, this is what I’m talking about,” then you’re going to love Ne Zha 2. It delivers on that front big time.

But not everything is perfect. While the movie is packed with heart and jaw-dropping visuals, the pacing can be a little inconsistent at times. There are moments when the movie feels like it’s dragging a bit, especially in the middle when we’re deep into the emotional beats of Ne Zha’s journey.

And while the emotional moments are solid, some of the dialogue can get a little too on the nose. Sometimes it feels like the movie is really trying to make you understand the weight of certain moments, but it’s almost too heavy-handed for my taste.

The film also leans pretty heavily on the mythology, which, as much as I love a good deep dive into cultural history, can be a bit much if you aren’t familiar with it. If you’re not steeped in Chinese mythology knowledge, some of the character names and references might go over your head. That’s not necessarily a flaw of the movie, but more of a personal gripe.

All that being said, these are relatively small issues in the grand scheme of things. The good far outweighs the bad here, and if you can get past a few slow spots, you’re in for one hell of a ride.

What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)

What I Liked

Visuals, Visuals, Visuals

You know that moment in a film where you can’t quite believe how good the animation looks? That’s Ne Zha 2. The colors are rich, the details are staggering, and every frame looks like it’s been crafted by a team of animators who’ve spent the last ten years perfecting their craft. If you like animated movies that look like they’ve been made by people who actually care about their craft, this is your jam.

Action Sequences

The action in this film is next-level. It’s fast, furious, and oh-so-satisfying, and there’s no shortage of heart-pounding moments. It’s like Dragon Ball Z meets Chinese mythology, and I was all in.

Emotional Depth

As much as I didn’t expect to be emotionally invested in a film about a demon child, Ne Zha 2 does a surprisingly good job of making you care. The family dynamics are rich, and Ne Zha’s journey of self-discovery feels genuine. It’s emotional but without feeling overly forced.

The Humor

Despite its dramatic moments, the film knows how to balance things out with some humor. The parody moments, like the groundhogs and the “Ahhhh” emoji, are hilarious and add a touch of levity to what could otherwise be a very serious film.

Cultural Authenticity

Ne Zha 2 is a film deeply rooted in Chinese mythology. The film doesn’t try to westernize or water down the story to make it more “universal.” It’s unapologetically Chinese, and that’s something I can really appreciate.

Character Development

Ne Zha goes from being a mischievous brat to someone who starts understanding the value of his choices and the consequences they bring. It’s a solid arc, and the way the film handles his growth feels earned.

The Music

The score is fantastic. It complements the grand scale of the movie and amplifies the emotional beats. It’s the kind of music that gets you pumped during the action scenes and tugs at you when things slow down.

What I Didn’t Like

Pacing Issues

There are moments where the film does drag a little. The emotional beats are strong, but they do slow the film down in a way that feels a bit uneven.

Heavy-Handed Dialogue

As much as the movie nails the emotion, some of the dialogue does feels forced. There are times when it feels like the film is shouting at you, “Hey, this is important!” when it could’ve let the moments breathe a bit more naturally.

Excessive Length

The movie feels like it’s about 15 minutes too long, and with so much happening, it could’ve done with a bit more trimming in certain areas to keep the energy high throughout.

The Ending Felt a Bit Rushed

Without giving anything away, the final act feels a little rushed. It’s as if the filmmakers realized they were running out of time and just threw in a couple of big moments to wrap things up.

Who Might Like Ne Zha 2

If you’re into visually stunning animated movies that mix heart, humor, and epic action, Ne Zha 2 is for you. Fans of Chinese mythology will also appreciate the film’s deep dive into the legends and characters from the Investiture of the Gods. If you love movies that balance emotional depth with high-octane action, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

Who Might Dislike Ne Zha 2

If you’re not into animation (Obviously), or if you don’t enjoy movies that mix mythology with modern humor, Ne Zha 2 might not be for you. It’s also not for anyone who’s not willing to put up with a little bit of cultural overload. If you prefer your films with more subtle storytelling and less in-your-face emotional moments, this might not be your thing.

Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Ne Zha 2?

To sum it up, Ne Zha 2 is a wild, visually spectacular ride that somehow manages to balance heart, humor, and action. It’s got a few flaws, but when you’re having this much fun, who cares? The film is a testament to what animation can do when it’s not afraid to get a little weird, a little emotional, and a little epic.

For anyone who’s a fan of animated films, Chinese mythology, or just loves a good action flick, Ne Zha 2 is most certainly worth the watch. It’s a bold, colorful adventure that may not be perfect, but damn, is it a lot of fun.

Rating: 8/10.

Ne Zha 2 Trailer

Ne Zha 2 Film Facts

• The film grossed over $2.1 billion globally (As of writing), making it the highest-grossing animated film ever.
• Over 4,000 people from 138 animation companies worked on the film, which took 5 years to complete.
• The film featured over 100,000 visual effects, many of which were custom-designed to fit the aesthetic of the film’s mythical world.
• Artificial Intelligence and motion capture were used to help bring more life-like and intricate animations to the characters.
• Fluid dynamics were used to create the realistic water scenes, particularly those involving dragons and other water-based mythical creatures.

Simon Leasher

A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I try and look at the good and bad points of films while advising whether someone might like the film or not. More

And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.