A New Fantasy Romance for the Indie Age
With a whisper of magic, a flicker of romance, and the kind of cast that turns heads at every festival, IFC Films has just dropped the first teaser for 100 Nights of Hero—and it’s already shaping up to be one of this year’s most intriguing indie darlings.
Adapted from Isabel Greenberg’s acclaimed graphic novel, the film is written and directed by Julia Jackman and set to world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 6th, ahead of a December 6th theatrical release. And yes—this one’s for the dreamers, the romantics, and the fantasy lovers who still believe in the power of storytelling itself.
Lovers, Legends & Lies: A Story About Stories
100 Nights of Hero centers on Cherry played by Longlegs star Maika Monroe, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage to Jerome played by Amir El-Masry. When Jerome concocts a cruel loyalty test—leaving her alone with his seductive guest Manfred played by Nicholas Galitzine—he doesn’t anticipate that Cherry is already deeply in love with someone else: her maid, Hero played by Emma Corrin.
But this is no typical triangle. What follows is a narrative deeply inspired by The Arabian Nights, as Hero uses her wit and wonder to fend off Manfred by telling him a different fantastical story each night—for 100 nights.
The teaser doesn’t give away much, but what it does offer is pure enchantment. Whimsical set design, dreamy lighting, and a visual language that feels somewhere between The Fall and The Favourite, all signal that this won’t be your average period drama or fantasy romance.
There’s humor. There’s melancholy. There’s defiance. And it’s all wrapped in a story about storytelling itself—how we use tales to survive, to seduce, and to resist.
Cast Chemistry & Breakout Buzz
The ensemble is as eclectic as it is electric. On the A-list side, Richard E. Grant and Felicity Jones lend gravitas and elegance. But it’s the younger stars who might generate the most excitement. Emma Corrin continues to diversify post-The Crown, following appearances in Deadpool & Wolverine and Nosferatu with a more intimate, genre-bending role. Nicholas Galitzine, now a bona fide streaming-era heartthrob after Red, White & Royal Blue, embraces a darker, more morally complex role. Maika Monroe’s resurgence, after earning raves in Longlegs, makes Cherry a compelling emotional anchor for the film.
And yes—Charli XCX makes her acting debut here, in a role that could open the door to a whole new phase of her career. After missing out on The Chronicles of Narnia’s White Witch role, this is her first full fantasy entry—and fans will be curious to see her on-screen persona unfold.
The Power Of Storytelling As Resistance
What makes 100 Nights of Hero more than just another visually rich period piece is its thematic ambition. Like its source material, the film is concerned with how stories can be used as defense, rebellion, and romantic preservation—a timely message in a world increasingly attuned to who gets to tell stories, and why.
In a film market crowded with sequels, reboots, and safe bets, 100 Nights of Hero feels like a rare gem: adapted from literature, led by queer romance, and ambitious in both form and feeling.
A Fantasy Romance Worth Watching
While we’re still waiting for a full trailer to offer more of Cherry and Hero’s emotional arc, this teaser is doing exactly what it should: sparking interest without spoiling the magic. With Venice on the horizon and a stacked cast bringing these characters to life, 100 Nights of Hero has the potential to be one of the breakout indie hits of the fall season.
And for fans of the graphic novel? This adaptation looks like a love letter—wrapped in starlight, dipped in defiance, and ready to enchant. 100 Nights of Hero premieres at Venice Film Festival on September 6th, and opens in theaters December 6th via IFC Films. Watch the teaser now and prepare for a story told one night at a time.