Vaguely fantastical without ever being fantastic, ‘100 Nights of Hero’ is less than magical

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“Are you ready? Then we shall begin.”

The film “100 Nights of Hero,” directed by Julia Jackman and based on Isabel Greenberg’s 2016 graphic novel, opens with a striking image of three moons. This immediately signals a fantastical and thoughtful story, where the very act of storytelling is the central theme and driving force.

Jackman brings a unique visual style to “100 Nights of Hero,” moving away from the look of the original film. It’s clear from the start that this fantasy movie has a distinctly feminine feel, with its bright colors and playful design. The use of vibrant pinks and focus on stories about women create a lively and imaginative world. The film takes place in a hidden community that worships a god called Birdman (played by Richard E. Grant in a brief appearance), and their society, like many others, is built on controlling women and ensuring the continuation of their lineage.

Cherry, a young bride married to Jerome, desperately wants a baby, but Jerome isn’t interested in trying. He cruelly puts the blame – and the consequences of infertility – solely on her. Things get worse when the handsome Manfred arrives and makes a disturbing bet with Jerome. While Jerome is away on business, Manfred has 100 nights to try and seduce Cherry. If he fails, he must find a baby for Jerome, who has no interest in intimacy. If he succeeds, he wins the castle. But if Cherry is unfaithful, she faces a deadly punishment. It’s a no-win scenario for Cherry, and highlights the power imbalance in her marriage.

I was completely captivated by this film! One of the most interesting parts is Cherry’s maid, Hero – played brilliantly by Emma Corrin – who’s incredibly clever. She manages to divert Manfred’s attention by telling this amazing story about three sisters who secretly love to read and write – something considered totally scandalous for women back then. The story focuses on Rosa, one of the sisters, and how her passion for writing gets her into trouble when she marries a merchant who accuses her of witchcraft.

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I’m completely captivated by Hero and the way she adds another piece to the story of the three sisters each night. It’s all so beautifully connected to Cherry and Manfred’s journey, and I’ve just learned something incredible – Hero belongs to this secret society called the League of Secret Storytellers! They’re women who gather stories and turn them into tapestries, and it’s amazing to realize their storytelling is a clever disguise for something much bigger. The tales are spreading everywhere, and I can’t wait to find out what it all means.

At its core, this story explores timeless issues like sex, marriage, loyalty, and having children. Despite the medieval setting – with brides locked away and mysterious masked figures – the themes still resonate today. The pressure to have children is echoed in modern debates, and the story highlights the ongoing struggle for control over women’s bodies and choices, all in the name of increasing birth rates. It doesn’t feel like a distant, fantastical tale at all.

While visually interesting, “100 Nights of Hero” doesn’t offer a complex story. It presents feminist ideas in a way that feels geared towards younger audiences, focusing on how freeing the mind leads to physical freedom. Unfortunately, the film is too straightforward and unsubtle, and its unique style can’t fully compensate for a lack of depth.

As the movie goes on, it becomes harder to stay engaged with Manfred’s story – which seems intentional, as the film deliberately downplays the importance of male characters. However, the actor playing Manfred is so captivating that his character’s disappearance is noticeable. This is partly because Manfred is portrayed as very self-assured, a strong contrast to Cherry, who is played as nervous, fragile, and speaks with a shaky voice.

For me, the most striking image in the whole film is definitely Galitzine, covered in blood, dragging a stag back home – it’s just so visceral. But it struck me as odd that Manfred ended up being the most compelling and grounded character. If the movie’s really about women finding their own pleasure and sensuality independently, I’m not sure why they made him so magnetic and relatable. It feels a little contradictory, honestly.

Despite strong performances and stunning visuals, the movie “100 Nights of Hero” doesn’t quite succeed in telling a captivating story – especially considering its story is about the power of stories. The film’s important message is obvious, but the way it’s presented feels flat.

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2025-12-06 17:31