100 Nights of Hero Review: A Historical Fantasy Misfire

by

Julia Jackman’s second film, 100 Nights of Hero, based on Isabel Greenberg’s popular graphic novel The One Hundred Nights Of Hero, might leave audiences feeling puzzled or disappointed. While the movie aims to be a romantic story about the magic of storytelling, it falls short due to slow pacing and weak execution, failing to deliver a fresh, memorable, or meaningful experience.

100 Nights of Hero

100 Nights of Hero Is Poorly Executed

100 Nights of Hero

Even though the movie starts by explaining a lot, the world it creates and how things work are still unclear by the time it finishes.

The actors are fantastic, truly bringing their characters to life and delivering the dialogue with nuance and feeling. However, the script occasionally pushes into melodrama, leading to moments where the acting feels forced and breaks the immersion. The film also features a lot of narration, especially at the beginning. While voice-over can sometimes feel unnecessary, it actually works well here because the movie is about storytelling and how we share narratives.

100 Nights of Hero Benefits From Thoughtful Costume and Set Design

One of the most noticeable aspects of the film is its costume design, which effectively shows the differences in social class. While some of the clothing choices might seem strange at first, they seem deliberately designed that way. The women’s extremely formal and over-the-top outfits cleverly poke fun at the strict and silly rules of their society. The guards’ detailed uniforms and bird masks create a mysterious atmosphere fitting for the film’s fantastical world ruled by Birdman. Even the hairstyles, like Cherry’s complex braids, are remarkably detailed and become a striking visual element throughout the movie.

The characters’ costumes clearly show their social status: the irresponsible husband dresses in fancy clothes, a stark contrast to Manfred’s more rugged, almost outlaw-like appearance. The three sisters are dressed in heavy gowns and cloaks that suggest classic witches, while Cherry wears bright, white dresses and Hero is in a simple, black maid outfit. These clothing choices help create a richer world and highlight the film’s key themes and differences between characters.

The film’s detailed costumes are matched by equally impressive set design, which creates a believable fantasy world. Right from the start, the sight of three moons tells us this story isn’t set on Earth, but in a place with its own unique rules, customs, and feeling. The castle itself is both opulent and intentionally bland, perfectly reflecting the society’s cold and lifeless atmosphere. Its design creates a sense of being trapped in something beautiful but isolating – the perfect gardens and long hallways suggest wealth without comfort, feeling cold and uninviting. The film skillfully uses these settings to express its core emotions, making the environment a key part of the story rather than just a visual background.

100 Nights of Hero Is An Acquired Taste

The movie’s plot can be hard to follow, and the ending doesn’t really clear things up. While the final scene does evoke some emotion and gets the main idea across, it leaves many questions about what ultimately happens to the characters unanswered.

The ending could have been much stronger, but it ultimately feels flat and expected. The movie doesn’t allow us to truly connect with the characters – we don’t spend enough time getting to know them or understanding their reasons – so it’s hard to feel invested in what happens. This leaves the ending, and the story as a whole, feeling a little empty.

“100 Nights of Hero” isn’t for everyone. It’s best suited for those who already love the graphic novel it’s based on, or who enjoy unique, artistic films that prioritize atmosphere over mainstream appeal. While the film is ambitious and visually interesting, its complex story and sometimes clumsy execution mean its deeper themes might not connect with all viewers.

100 Nights of Hero is now in theaters.

Read More

2025-12-06 08:06