THE STORY – When a charming house guest arrives at a remote castle, the delicate dynamic between a neglectful husband, his innocent bride Cherry, and their devoted maid Hero is thrown into chaos.
THE CAST – Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Nicolas Galitzine, Charli XCX, Felicity Jones & Richard E. Grant
THE TEAM – Julia Jackman (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 90 Minutes
Fairy tales usually feature princesses waiting to be rescued, but Julia Jackman’s “100 Nights of Hero” joyfully turns this tradition on its head. Based on Isabel Greenberg’s acclaimed graphic novel, the film is a decidedly queer, feminist reinterpretation of “One Thousand and One Nights,” embracing the absurd, the romantic, and the satirical in equal measure. It’s a bold, ambitious sophomore work from Jackman following her highly praised debut “Bonus Track.” And even if not everything succeeds perfectly, it unfolds into a rich cinematic feast, as playful as it is political, with a layered, surreal visual style that strongly evokes the works of Alejandro Jodorowsky.
The story is set in a medieval fantasy land, where Cherry (Maika Monroe) is married to the despicable Jerome (Amir El-Masry). In arrogant overconfidence, Jerome bets not only his castle but also his wife that his friend Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine) can seduce Cherry within a hundred nights. But Cherry already loves her maid Hero (Emma Corrin). Together, the two women devise a plan: night after night, Hero tells Manfred elaborate stories, a variation on the Scheherazade tradition. These stories unfold into feminist fables about sisterhood, rebellion, and magic. The result is a nested, matryoshka-like narrative: a film that’s as much about storytelling itself as it is about the love at its center. By placing women as narrators, creators, and resistors at the heart of the story, “100 Nights of Hero” radically questions the foundations of patriarchal myths.
Emma Corrin is magnetic as Hero: her performance sparkles with wit, cunning, and emotional intelligence and is the core of this mystical, rebellious tale. She embodies the character like a mischievous bard, always one step ahead, brimming with energy that keeps both the audience – and Manfred – on edge. Maika Monroe brings a subtle vulnerability to Cherry, who slowly evolves from an apparently passive figure into a woman of quiet strength. Together, Corrin and Monroe create a chemistry that’s both tender and fiery, grounding the film’s fantastical elements in genuine emotional intimacy. Nicholas Galitzine plays Manfred with sleazy elegance, a villain whose self-satisfied charm barely conceals his predatory entitlement. He delivers the film’s sharpest physical and verbal humor, making every scene with him a delight and his absence felt in every other. Felicity Jones brings mythic gravitas as the Moon, narrating key moments with calm authority and reinforcing the film’s folkloric tone.
For many viewers, the casting of Charli XCX will be a point of curiosity or
perhaps even a selling point. At this stage in her career, she steps into acting, and although her role is minimal, she leaves a lasting impression. Jackman uses Charli sparingly, weaving her into the fantasy world as a character who both belongs and stands slightly apart. Most notably, this creates a metatextual layer: Charli, whose popstar persona oscillates between hyperreality and intimacy, brings that duality into the film. Her presence intensifies the sense of tension at the heart of both the story and her character. Though she has little to do, her mere presence adds layers of meaning that resonate far beyond the screen. The film gains from her aura, and she from being embedded in a story about female resistance and the power of storytelling.
Undoubtedly, “100 Nights of Hero” is a delight to look at. It was shot at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, England, a location for countless films, including “Eyes Wide Shut,” Netflix’s “The Crown,” and Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins.” The production design revels in candlelit interiors, dense forests, and sprawling halls. The costumes blend medieval textures with contemporary accents, keeping the world suspended between the familiar and the fantastical. The experience is further elevated by Oliver Coates’ electronic score. Rather than using a traditional orchestral soundtrack, Coates delivers pulsating beats and shimmering synthesizers, creating a soundscape that feels both ancient and modern. The music drives the film forward, lends urgency to Hero’s stories, and prevents the episodic structure from stalling.
Though only 90 minutes long, the abundance of nested stories can feel overwhelming. Not every episode is equally engaging, and the tonal shifts between satire, tragedy, and romance can be abrupt. One might even question whether this feminist story could have succeeded without the bedtime stories, which periodically interrupt the momentum of Cherry’s and Hero’s own tale. The balance between humor and serious themes is not always precise, and some feminist messages are delivered so directly that the audience has little room for interpretation. Yet even in its disorder, the film is charming. Jackman’s passion and ambition are unmistakable, and the energy with which the film insists on joy as a political stance is infectious.
While the film may be too eccentric for mainstream awards, it could shine at independent festivals and has clear potential for BAFTA recognition. The adapted screenplay is a standout, with Isabel Greenberg’s structure and Jackman’s interpretation equally literary and daring. It’s most likely to be recognized in Best British Film, Cinematography, Costume Design, and Production Design, thanks to the opulent yet playful aesthetic. Emma Corrin delivers a commanding performance, while Maika Monroe is equally compelling, even if her quiet transformation is sometimes overshadowed in busier scenes.
“100 Nights of Hero” is not a flawless fairy tale, but it is a necessary one. With magnetic leads and Julia Jackman establishing herself as one of the most exciting new voices in British cinema, the film pulses with inventiveness and heart. It’s a fairy tale like no other, boldly queer and unapologetically feminist, a cinematic feast of humor, emotion, and rebellion. Its tonal shifts and expansive storytelling may divide audiences, but those who embrace its eccentric rhythms will be richly rewarded with story that laughs, laments, and conquers, celebrating the resilience of women and the transformative power of their stories.
