The first teaser for Julia Jackman's 100 Nights of Hero drops like a siren's whisper—darkly beguiling, playfully twisted, and packed with medieval-fantasy flair. Set to premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival on September 6 in the prestigious Critics Week section, the film is a blend of lush visuals, layered narrative, and subversive themes that already set it apart in the crowded fantasy romance thriller space. IFC Films will then bring it to select U.S. theaters on December 5, 2025, promising a holiday season release for cinephiles craving something both stylish and subversive.
A Storybook World with Dark Undercurrents
The film adapts Isabel Greenberg's acclaimed 2016 graphic novel The One Hundred Nights of Hero, known for its inventive spin on the classic Arabian Nights tales. In Jackman's hands, this imagined medieval realm—Migdal Bavel and the ominous Darkly End—comes alive with painterly aesthetics, a saturated color palette, and carefully designed costumes that evoke fairy-tale enchantment and looming menace all at once. The plot centers on Cherry (Maika Monroe), trapped in a cold, transactional marriage with the cruel Jerome (Amir El-Masry), who wagers her fidelity to his charming friend Manfred (Nicholas Galitzine). As Manfred intrudes, Cherry's loyal maid Hero (Emma Corrin) becomes both confidante and protector, setting the stage for a volatile triangle framed by secrets and forbidden desires. This narrative promises a heady mixture of rebellion, loyalty, and risk in a patriarchal world where women's stories are acts of resistance—and survival.
The Trailer's Visual and Tonal Play
From the opening frames, the teaser trailer immerses viewers in a world that recalls the surreal tones of Yorgos Lanthimos with its offbeat and sometimes uncanny atmosphere. The framing often lingers on the fraught expressions of Maika Monroe's Cherry and Emma Corrin's Hero, hinting at the emotional complexity beneath the surface tension. There's a slightly cheeky, modern sensibility threaded through the fantasy setting — glimpses of winking humor and progressive views on female agency that distinguish this from standard genre fare. With Charli XCX wielding an unusual guitar and Felicity Jones appearing briefly in enigmatic guise, the film suggests a layered narrative nesting stories within stories, underscoring the graphic novel's episodic roots.
Cast and Creative Team
Jackman, following her breakout debut with Bonus Track, has pulled together a cast that blends emerging stars with veterans. Emma Corrin as Hero carries the moral spine and fierce vulnerability, while Maika Monroe's portrayal of Cherry is poised to be a study in conflicted longing and strength. Nicholas Galitzine's Manfred adds an ambiguous charm that fuels the central conflict. The supporting presence of Richard E. Grant, Felicity Jones, and Charli XCX adds further intrigue and depth, indicating a film willing to mix genres and tackle its themes with style and substance.
Premiere and Release Details
Mark the calendar: 100 Nights of Hero will premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 6, 2025, in the Critics Week sidebar, a slot known for showcasing daring and original independent films. Later this year, IFC Films will distribute it in select theaters across the U.S., with a release date of December 5, 2025. With its festival debut positioning it for awards buzz and critical attention, it is a title to watch for those who appreciate fantasy that dares to critique societal norms and celebrate the power of storytelling.
What to Retain From 100 Nights of Hero
- Bold Visual Identity: The film's painterly aesthetics and meticulous production design create an immersive medieval fantasy world uniquely its own.
- Complex Female Leads: Hero and Cherry's relationship navigates forbidden desire and rebellion in a deeply patriarchal society.
- Narrative Layers: Rooted in a graphic novel, the story embraces a nested, episodic structure emphasizing the power of storytelling.
- Strong Festival Spotlight: World premiere at Venice Critics Week on September 6, 2025, signaling serious indie cred.
- Noteworthy Cast: Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Nicholas Galitzine, plus distinctive performances from Felicity Jones and Charli XCX.
- Strategic Release: IFC Films plans a U.S. theatrical rollout starting December 5, 2025, aiming for a cinephile audience during awards season.
Whether 100 Nights of Hero will fully deliver on its promise to mix visually arresting fantasy with sharp, culturally resonant themes remains to be seen—but the teaser signals something both stylish and provocative. Keep an eye out for this one come Venice and this winter's theatrical season.
Readers, share your thoughts: Does this medieval fable of loyalty, lust, and rebellion pique your interest? Check back after Venice for a deeper dive.
