100 Nights of Hero – Review and Summary
100 Nights of Hero is a reminder of the powers of storytelling, especially in a dystopian world.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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What Is 100 Nights of Hero About?
- Director(s): Julia Jackman
- Writer(s): Julia Jackman
- Based On Work By: Isabel Greenberg
- Distributor: IFC Films
- Runtime: 1 Hour(s) and 31 Minutes
- Public Release Date (In Theaters): December 5, 2025
- Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance, LGBT+
- Content Rating: Rated PG-13
- Primary Language: English
- More Information (External Link)
Cherry finds herself in a loveless marriage to a man named Jerome, and unfortunately, in the patriarchal world she lives in, not having a child is a borderline sin, which can lead to death. The thing is, it isn’t that Cherry doesn’t want a child as much as Jerome doesn’t want to touch her.
Enter Manfred, a rival of sorts to Jerome, who believes he can seduce Cherry, and in return, he will get Jerome’s castle. Believing, even without touching his wife intimately for ages, that she will remain true to him, Jerome makes this bet and leaves for 100 days. Leaving Cherry and her maid Hero to entertain Manfred, and Hero to hopefully save her lady from herself.
Cast and Characters
Cherry (Maika Monroe)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Cherry is described as being the perfect woman in the eyes of the Birdman religion. She cannot read or write, but is decent at chess, a conversationalist, and feminine in all the ways that matter.
Jerome (Amir El-Masry)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Jerome is Cherry’s husband who refuses to consummate the marriage, for reasons not made 100% clear, yet believes she would never cheat on him.
Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine)
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- Character Summary: Down on his luck, Manfred comes to Jerome hoping for a place to stay and ends up in a bet with him that he can seduce Cherry within 100 nights and, if he wins, he gets Jerome’s castle.
Hero (Emma Corrin)
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- Character Summary: A rebel, a storyteller, and a maid, Hero lives as stunning a tale as she tells others, and plans to return home one day to add it to a secret society’s tapestry.
Birdman (Richard E. Grant)
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- Character Summary: Birdman is presented as the eldest God, Kiddo’s father, who is the reason humanity has purpose and a patriarchal society.
Kiddo (Safia Oakley-Green)
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- Character Summary: Kiddo is the original creator of humanity and gave them free will that allowed for a temporary bliss.
Mina (Kerena Jagpal)
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- Character Summary: Mina is one of three sisters featured in The Story of the Dancing Stones.
Caterina (Olivia D’Lima)
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- Character Summary: Caterina is one of three sisters featured in The Story of the Dancing Stones.
Rosa (Charli XCX)
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- Character Summary: Rosa is one of three sisters featured in The Story of the Dancing Stones and is highlighted as Rosa the Cunning due to her alleged trickery of her husband due to her ability to read and write.
What To Expect In “100 Nights of Hero” (Rated PG-13) – Content Overview
- Graphic Imagery or Violence:
- Violence Against Animals: Yes (Context: Manfred Kills Animals For Meals)
- Gore/ Blood/ Body Horror: Mild (Context: Bleeding)
- Sexual Content:
- Sexual Situations: Implied
- Miscellaneous:
- Drinking: Yes
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
The World Building [83/100]
100 Nights of Hero shows a strong investment in creating a lived-in world. From creating a world with three moons, the color schemes, and the culture established, it’s clear that details mattered. Now, to be clear, there are only a few locations in the movie, so you don’t get to see the entire world. However, what you do get to see feels vibrant.
But, as noted, it isn’t just the visuals but also the culture that gives us a immersive world. The major religion focuses on the God Birdman, and from how the people dress in that faith to their culture, you are given a sense of how the world operates. On top of that, there is a push for you to have a reaction to it, not just enjoy the visuals.
The combination of things being beautiful, detailed, and having depth, which backs the reason why things look like they do or are, creates something that feels real. Potentially inspired by the attire and homes of European monarchs, but still unique enough to give 100 Nights of Hero its own identity.
The Story Of The Dancing Stones [84/100]
For a notable part of the film, the focus is on three women, Mina, Caterina, and Rosa, of whom Rosa is an iconic figure – but not for the best reasons. Rosa the Cunning represents the world of 100 Nights of Hero, banning most knowledge from women, particularly the ability to read and write. It’s a B-story that leaves a notable impression, and even with limited lines, it makes it seem musician Charli XCX could potentially be a reputable actress in this new chapter of her career.
But, refocusing on the sisters, their story really pushes you to want to read the source material in hopes that other iconic women glossed over get fleshed out. Whether it is Nadia the Lesbian or the two others quickly mentioned, it is difficult not to want to hear the stories of the other women, too. For when you consider the strength and ease of becoming invested in the story of the dancing stones, it makes you want to hear not only the truth but also the bastardized version of the other stories.
Being Invested In What Will Happen To Cherry and Hero [83.5/100]
Thankfully, while the sisters play an unexpectedly sizable role in 100 Nights of Hero, this isn’t to compensate for the two leads. Hero’s backstory and how Emma Corrin plays them bring a sense of subtle strength as they guide Maika Monroe’s character through their longing desire for intimacy. You see them just as capable of seducing Cherry as being a protective sister, and it pushes the idea that, if Corrin had a significant desire, playing the lead in a thriller could be a good fit.
I would even say, when it comes to Monroe, Corrin adds flavor to her performance. For at this point of watching her work, I would even say, being a fan, I’ve come to realize Monroe is like plain yogurt. She is consistently palatable, can offer sustenance, but she needs the flavor of an actor like Corrin or others. The quality of her performance is highly dependent on who she is playing off and the material she is working with.
Which is why Corrin is an excellent co-lead for her since Corrin gets you to feel for Cherry. She is this young woman who did everything right, balanced being smart, but never too smart, a catch, but humble, and yet there is no reward for her efforts. She marries a man who is homosexual or asexual and becomes a pawn to hide whichever he is. Then, under the faith of Birdman, it is made clear she will be punished for what her husband is unwilling to do, like consummating the marriage.
This could easily lead to Monroe playing Cherry as the frustrated woman we often see, the June Osborne of The Handmaid’s Tale, for 100 Nights of Hero, but instead, Monroe taps into the sadness that is usually ignored. It is never forgotten that Cherry was capable of being happy in such a regime, as it is all she knows. Yet, she was coerced to suffer – countering the idea that ignorance is bliss.
On The Fence
How The Gods Just Disappear After The Beginning [78/100]
It is established in the beginning that a feminine God named Kiddo made humanity. Then their father, Birdman, tainted that world with patriarchy due to their ego and the feeling that humans lacked purpose. That part is fine. However, the utter erasure of Kiddo not only amongst humanity, but also in the movie from that point, is a bit of a head-scratcher.
Granted, it’s clear that the men of 100 Nights of Hero seek to maintain power by keeping women ignorant, and if they only uplift the names of sinful women and exclude the fact that their creator was a woman, it keeps women from having an aspirational figure. But Kiddo is a God whose creation was stolen. From Hero’s mother to someone else, considering 100 Nights of Hero seeks to craft revolutionary characters who don’t utilize violence, it is surprising how hands-off Kiddo is in this change.
But, perhaps the point is that, in order for change to happen, humanity has to rely on the free will they were embedded with and not necessarily wait for a celestial sign or miracle.
Overall
Our Rating (82/100): Positive (Worth Seeing)
100 Nights of Hero reminds me of the reason why anime are produced. While you may not need to read Isabel Greenberg’s graphic novel, in many ways, the film feels like an advertisement for it. For whether it’s wanting to learn more about Nadia the Lesbian or the other women briefly mentioned, the film can feel like a tease.
Yet, even with certain stories omitted, on its own, 100 Nights of Hero is easy to watch, engaging, and ultimately satisfying.. So whether it is in theaters or when it ends up on streaming, this is a movie worth seeing.
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