It’s the kind of world that’s nearly identical to our own: a stifling patriarchal society complete with an oppressive organized religion and strict expectations for women. That this world was created by a child with god-like powers and happens to orbit three moons are just two minor points of contrast. Give or take a few sci-fi flourishes, 100 Nights of Hero could easily be a fairytale set in our own modern world. When it comes to the queer coming-of-age at the heart of this story, or the modern relatability of its “villain” — a slinky softboy (Nicholas Galitzine) hellbent on seducing a pious newlywed (Maika Monroe) — it could easily be mistaken for an offbeat romantic comedy. But there are other parallels, like its ultra-conservative society wherein reading is forbidden and certain stories are banned, that director Julia Jackman finds almost uncomfortably timely.
“It was a bit sad to be like, ‘Oh, this feels relevant.’”
