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Film Festivals: 100 Nights of a Hero (2025) by Julia Jackman: A Droll and Audacious Feminist Fable

A Tale of Rebellion and Wit 100 Nights of Hero is a fantastical romance from British director Julia Jackman. The film is a queer, feminist adaptation of Isabel Greenberg's graphic novel, which itself is inspired by the classic Middle Eastern folk tales of One Thousand and One Nights. The story follows Cherry, an innocent bride, and her loyal maid, Hero. When a charming but devious house guest arrives, Hero must devise a plan to protect her mistress by telling captivating stories to delay his nefarious intentions. The film stars Emma Corrin as Hero and Maika Monroe as Cherry. It has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes and is rated PG-13.

Why to watch this movie: A Fresh and Compelling Take on a Familiar Genre

  • A Bold and Queer Retelling: The film is an unapologetically queer and feminist reimagining of a classic tale. It centers on the secret love and bond between two women, using storytelling as a tool for rebellion against a patriarchal society. This fresh perspective sets it apart from traditional period dramas.

  • A Visually Stunning Cinematic Feast: 100 Nights of Hero is praised for its rich cinematic style, with critics calling it "playful, surreal and visually stunning." The film features inventive costumes, a vibrant color palette, and a pulsing electronic score that creates a world suspended between the ancient and the modern.

  • Magnetic Lead Performances: Emma Corrin and Maika Monroe deliver compelling and nuanced performances. Critics describe Corrin as "magnetic" and "mischievous," while Monroe brings a "subtle vulnerability" to her role. Their on-screen chemistry is a key strength that grounds the film's fantastical elements.

  • A Story of Unwavering Relevance: The film tackles timeless themes of female liberation and misogyny in a way that feels both classic and urgent. By showcasing women taking control of their own narratives, the film serves as a powerful and inspiring fable for a contemporary audience.

What Trend is followed: The Return to a Gritty, Dialogue-Driven Crime Film The film is part of a growing trend of "elevated fantasy" and genre-bending indie filmmaking.

  • Feminist Fantasy: 100 Nights of Hero aligns with the trend of filmmakers re-examining classic fantasy and fairy tales through a modern, feminist lens. It subverts traditional tropes by portraying women as the heroes and men as the obstacles, using magic and storytelling as a form of resistance.

  • Indie Auteur with a Singular Vision: The film is a clear example of a director's passion project. Director Julia Jackman's audacious vision and confident tone are evident throughout, cementing her place as an exciting new voice in British cinema. This kind of creator-driven, distinctive filmmaking is a notable trend in modern cinema.

Director's Vision: A Gritty Return to the Roots of Crime Fiction

  • From Graphic Novel to Screen: Julia Jackman's vision was to bring Isabel Greenberg's whimsical graphic novel to life while maintaining its literary and daring spirit. She worked closely with the source material, ensuring the film's episodic structure and fantastical elements were translated faithfully.

  • A Playful and Political Balance: Jackman aimed to strike a balance between a playful tone and a serious political message. The film uses wry humor and campy performances to make its commentary on patriarchy and female empowerment accessible and engaging.

  • Bold and Unapologetic: The director's vision was to create a film that is "boldly queer and unapologetically feminist." She didn't shy away from depicting the patriarchal world as both absurd and sinister, using the power of storytelling as a weapon against it.

Themes: The Moral Ambiguity of the Criminal Underworld

  • The Power of Storytelling: The central theme is the transformative power of stories. Hero's tales of rebellious women are not just a diversion; they are a form of resistance that empowers her and Cherry, allowing them to envision a different future for themselves.

  • Female Liberation and Rebellion: The film directly addresses the theme of female agency in a patriarchal society. It portrays a world where women are forbidden from reading and writing, and their sole purpose is to serve men, making their rebellion a powerful and central part of the story.

  • Love and Queer Identity: A subtextual, and at times overt, theme is the love story between Hero and Cherry. The film explores their "secret love" and the intimacy of their bond, which becomes a quiet but powerful act of defiance against a society that imposes rigid heteronormative rules.

Key success factors: Bold Vision and Unflinching Performances

  • Inventive Production Design and Costumes: The film's success is bolstered by its inventive aesthetic. The costumes blend medieval and contemporary styles, and the production design creates a unique, otherworldly feel. These elements are essential to the film's charm and success.

  • Strong Cast Chemistry: The chemistry between Emma Corrin and Maika Monroe is a key success factor. Their believable bond and nuanced performances ground the film's surreal elements and make their relationship the emotional core of the story.

  • Unflinching Message: The film's unapologetic feminist and queer messages are a major selling point. In a crowded film market, its clear and bold stance helps it stand out as a necessary and important piece of cinematic art.

Awards and Nominations: A Fresh Take on a Genre Icon The film has already been nominated for one award. It was also a highlight of the festival circuit, serving as the closing night film for both the Critics' Week sidebar at the Venice Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival. Its high-profile premieres and positive reception indicate it has the potential to receive further accolades.

Critics reception: A Bold Film with a Divided Reception The film has a generally favorable reception, with a Metascore of 74 based on four critic reviews.

  • Next Best Picture: The review praises the film for its "wit, cunning, and emotional intelligence," calling it a "cinematic feast of humor, emotion, and rebellion." It notes that while the film's tonal shifts can be abrupt, it is a "necessary" and "unapologetically feminist" fairy tale.

  • The Playlist: This review calls the film a "fun storybook for adults" that has a "mythic quality while harnessing the complexities of reality." It praises the film's "zippy stylings" and "whimsically wonderful aesthetic."

  • Little White Lies: The review from this publication states that director Julia Jackman "miraculously manages to weave these disparate threads together into an imaginative, funny and genuinely affecting fable of queer female liberation." It notes the film's "deadpan drollery" and "tricky tonal balance."

  • Overall Summary: The critical consensus is that while the film may be too eccentric for a mainstream audience and its layered stories can feel overwhelming, its ambition, strong performances, and bold message make it a unique and inventive piece of filmmaking that is well worth seeing.

Reviews: A Polarizing Reaction from Viewers The film has a single user review, which is overwhelmingly positive, with a rating of 10 out of 10.

  • k_t_: This reviewer describes the film as a "stunning triumph of story and style." They praise the "stellar cast," "lush visuals," and "masterful production," calling it a "wild, mythic world of storytelling" that they would "highly recommend."

  • Overall Summary: The limited user data suggests a highly positive reception for the film among its early audience. The single reviewer's sentiment indicates that viewers who appreciate its fantastical style and themes will be rewarded.

Release dates:

  • Release date on streaming: Information not provided.

  • Theatrical Release:

    • Toronto International Film Festival Premiere: October 19, 2025

    • Theatrical Release (United States): December 5, 2025

What Movie Trend film is following: A New Era of Streaming-First Blockbusters 100 Nights of Hero is part of a growing trend of "elevated fantasy," which uses genre tropes to explore complex social and philosophical issues. It is also an example of the ongoing trend of filmmakers adapting beloved fantasy novels and graphic novels, providing audiences with a cinematic version of a familiar, fantastical world.

What Big Social Trend is following: The Enduring Fascination with the Anti-Hero The film directly engages with the major social trend of demanding and celebrating diverse and representative storytelling. It is an unapologetically queer and feminist film that provides a much-needed narrative about female agency and love, reflecting a cultural shift toward more inclusive and empowering media.

Final Verdict: A Flawed but Audacious Genre-Bender 100 Nights of Hero is a bold, ambitious, and highly imaginative film that redefines what a fairy tale can be. While its eccentric style and dense narrative may not be for everyone, its powerful performances, stunning visuals, and uncompromising feminist message make it a must-watch for those who appreciate unique and meaningful filmmaking. It is a necessary and visually arresting story that is as playful as it is political.


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