🎬 100 Nights of Hero

In the mythical realm of Early Earth, where women are strictly forbidden from learning to read or write, Cherry (Maika Monroe) lives trapped in a cold, loveless marriage to her arrogant husband, Jerome. When Jerome makes a foolish bet with his villainous friend Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine)—claiming Manfred cannot seduce Cherry within 100 nights—Jerome offers his wife as the prize. To protect Cherry from Manfred's predatory advances, Cherry's loyal housemaid and secret lover, Hero (Emma Corrin), concocts a daring scheme inspired by One Thousand and One Nights. Each evening, Hero spins captivating, subversive stories to distract Manfred until dawn, using the power of myth, sisterhood, and forbidden romance to outwit their tormentor.

⭐ Film Evaluation & Ratings 📈

🟡 IMDb Rating: 7.2 / 10

🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 87% Tomatometer (Critics)

🗣️ Critical Consensus: Julia Jackman’s adaptation of Isabel Greenberg's acclaimed graphic novel was celebrated by critics for its lush, storybook visual design and whimsical feminist tone. Featuring standout chemistry between Emma Corrin and Maika Monroe, the film breathes vibrant cinematic life into a fairytale allegory about queer resilience, female solidarity, and the revolutionary power of storytelling.

Analysis & Key Themes

Storytelling as Resistance: Frames narrative art and mythology as active tools of survival, subversion, and protection against patriarchal control.

Queer Devotion & Solidarity: Centers the deep emotional and romantic bond between Cherry and Hero, showcasing how love fuels creative courage under oppressive conditions.

Literacy & Empowerment: Highlights the suppression of female education and writing as a means of societal subjugation, celebrating the reclamation of voice and text.

Subversion of Fairytale Tropes: Satirizes traditional male bravado and misogynistic bets by turning classic folklore structure into a clever, queer-led liberation fable.

Key Scene

The First Midnight Tale: On the opening night of the wager, Manfred aggressively confronts Cherry in her chamber. Hero steps forward, lighting a candle and weaving an enchanting, labyrinthine fable that hypnotizes Manfred, freezing him in place until the morning bell rings—establishing their night-by-night battle of wits.

💡 Did You Know?

Graphic Novel Origins: The film is based on Isabel Greenberg’s bestselling 2016 graphic novel The One Hundred Nights of Hero, which draws structural inspiration from the classic Arabian Nights framework.

Star-Studded Queer Lead: Golden Globe winner Emma Corrin (The Crown, A Murder at the End of the World) plays Hero, bringing their trademark vulnerability and wit to the central storytelling role.

Festive Visual Design: Production designer Kave Quinn crafted the film's distinct look using theatrical, painted set pieces and stained-glass lighting motifs to honor the hand-drawn aesthetic of Greenberg's original illustrations.