Written and directed by Julia Jackman, based on the graphic novel by Isabel Greenberg, 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. Starring: Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Nicholas Galitzine, Amir El-Masry, Richard E. Grant, Safia Oakley-Green, Olivia D’Lima, Kerena Jagpal, Charli XCX and Felicity Jones.
Something that’s incredibly hard not to notice straight out of the gate with 100 Nights of Hero is the visual opulence. The setting, the colours, the detail, the costumes, the makeup and hair, everything is turned up to eleven to give that feel of a period setting while creating something that’s an utter fantasy. It’s a blend of genres and tones which is immediately enticing and effortlessly satisfying to watch unfold. Julia Jackman’s directorial style is filled with energy and personality, there’s a cheekiness, a wit and a whole heap of much-welcomed feminism.
The way that it moves is inexplicably fast yet slow in the most captivating manner. It gradually makes its way through its tale of sisterhood and empowerment while its one hundred nights speedily flash by our eyes. Emma Corrin’s Hero provides a lot of that patience and composure, playing the long game and doing it with a trickster edge, like a lesbian Loki. While Nicholas Galitzine’s Manfred’s desperation and desire keep things moving faster, wary of his deadline, intelligent but quick to underestimate women. Added to the naivety and sweetness of Maika Monroe’s Cherry, inexperienced, learning to understand her feelings and deathly aware of her potential fate. They’re an excellent trio, and their cat-and-mouse style game is a lot of fun to watch play out.
Jackman blends such a modern style with an old-fashioned, nostalgic storytelling and it’s a genuinely fascinating blend. It has such an eloquence and composure, while bringing through teenage level hormones and an unconventional love triangle. Then having that story within a story adds a fairytale feel, as well as adding a great context to Hero and Cherry’s plight. All of these elements are familiar and yet the way that Jackman presents them is utterly unique. Also, the way that the guards pipe up now and again as they get invested in the story Hero tells, is just perfection and adds such a lovely and quite British, comedic note.
100 Nights of Hero has an irresistible, unstoppable energy, heaps of personality, a grand, rich visual and a phenomenal cast. Maika Monroe steps away from her usual scream queen vibe to create something intensely vulnerable, while Emma Corrin steps in as her wise, unwavering protector, to push away the gaze of Nicholas Galitzine’s lusting lothario. There’s so much contained within its ninety-one minutes, it’s an impressive feat from Julia Jackman. Certainly, it’s the type of film that will work best for particular audience members, since it is undeniably niche, but those who are built to appreciate it, will absolutely fall in love with it.
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