The 2025 BFI London Film Festival wrapped up in spectacular fashion on Sunday night with the premiere of 100 Nights of Hero, directed by Canadian filmmaker Julia Jackman. The screening brought a star-studded run of premieres to a close at London’s Royal Festival Hall, with Jackman joined by cast members Emma Corrin, Maika Monroe, Amir El-Masry, Richard E. Grant, and Felicity Jones. Notably absent were co-stars Nicholas Galitzine and pop icon Charli xcx.
Jackman’s second feature is an adaptation of Isabel
Greenberg’s acclaimed graphic novel. Set in a magical, storybook kingdom, the
film follows Cherry (played by Monroe), who is married to Jerome (El-Masry).
When Jerome suddenly disappears, his charming yet sinister friend Manfred
(Galitzine) arrives. Cherry’s maid Hero (Corrin), clever and fiercely loyal,
must use her wit and storytelling skills to distract Manfred by spinning tales
of brave, rebellious women.
“I’ve dreamed about making this film for so long,” Jackman
said on stage. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the chance, so being here
with all of you tonight is incredible.”
Corrin, known for roles in The Crown, Nosferatu,
and Deadpool & Wolverine, spoke about developing the character of
Hero: “Julia’s script gave us so much to work with. Hero has this grounded
wisdom — she knows who she is, and it’s such a joy to play someone like that.
We spent a lot of time making sure the humor felt right too.”
Monroe, fresh off the success of the horror hit Longlegs,
said she was instantly captivated by the screenplay. “It was so beautifully
unique,” she said. “I could picture this fantastical world the moment I read
it. I fell in love with Cherry immediately — I felt like I had to take
on this role.”
The film debuted earlier this year at Venice Critics Week,
where The Hollywood Reporter praised it as “eccentric, whimsical, and
surprisingly dark.” Reviewer Leslie Felperin noted that Charli xcx makes a
brief but memorable appearance as a bride draped in dazzling jewel-toned gowns.
100 Nights of Hero brought the curtain down on an
11-day festival filled with A-list appearances from stars like George Clooney,
Julia Roberts, Daniel Craig, Emma Stone, and Oscar Isaac. The festival opened
October 8 with the European premiere of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out
Mystery, and also showcased anticipated titles like Hamnet, Bugonia,
Die My Love, and After the Hunt.
Throughout the festival, some of the industry’s most
respected filmmakers and actors — including Daniel Day-Lewis, Yorgos Lanthimos,
Jon M. Chu, and Chloé Zhao — participated in live Screen Talks hosted at BFI
Southbank.
Festival director Kristy Matheson emphasized the importance
of curation beyond just big names: “A great cast is never enough. The film has
to hold up on its own. We aim for a lineup that reflects London’s diversity and
cinematic passion. Our audiences are incredibly film-literate — we have a high
standard to meet.”
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