How and why is this rated so low? Apart from the obvious messaging on feminism and oppression, I can't see why, other than maybe it attracting the wrong audience. By all means, it's not a perfect film, but it's nothing I wouldn't recommend. The cinematography, sound design, costuming, and fantasy were beautiful. Visually, it did exactly what it wanted to, especially with the symbolism. As for the story, I loved it, although the storytelling itself and acting both could have been better in terms of engagement and pacing.

a movie that could not exist without 'Penelope,' mood boards, K-pop, and Tumblr gifs

I liked this movie... but I wanted to really like it. The lead is excellent and some of the storylines and themes are quite good. That said, not everything in the film worked for me. follow me at https://IHATEBadMovies.com or facebook IHATEBadMovies

100 Nights of Hero has the candy pop aesthetic of an Emerald Fennell movie, but its writing lets everything else down. Conceptually, this is an interesting premise that has stories within stories and tries to showcase how misogyny seeps into these women's lives. The problem is that everything feels too superficial. Amir El-Masry's character is not even present for most of the movie, so while he obviously mistreats Cherry, it's never really explored beyond the very low-hanging fruit that would make even modern misogynists claim he was in the wrong. That's part of the problem. The movie has women being unable to read and write, and they are treated purely as vessels to birth heirs. However, the movie portrays this type of social structure in an almost cartoonish way that prevents it from really feeling insightful or sharp. Similarly, the story within the story, a fairy tale about a character named Rosa, or even the framing story about the background of Hero, are all similarly given such surface level plots that it almost works against the themes of the movie, creating almost a caricature of men versus an honest portrayal. I'm not trying to say that the "all men are evil" concept is flawed. I'm saying that by not showcasing the more realistic and insidious ways that sexism can rule these women's lives, the movie almost plays into this narrative that since women can read now, men are no longer guilty of being horrible. That basic writing is present in Hero and Cherry's characterization and arcs as well. Their relationship and dynamic never feels genuine because it is never actually properly developed. Manfred is also just kind of there, his presence in the movie never being the actual threat that the movie seems to think it is. It also has weird pacing, with the nights literally going by at random. If the characters also have no understanding about the passage of time, neither will the audience. It just ends up making the "100 nights" a pointless conceit other than trying to link it to the fable One Thousand and One nights. All that said, I do think the sets, the costumes, this quirky style to the narration, the neon-bathed visuals, and the quick editing set to glitzy needledrops is all great. It has good cinematography and style. It also has a strong cast that is letdown by the weak script. I really think there was a lot of potential here, but they should have put a lot more effort into the story and writing because it really feels like an afterthought compared to the aesthetic.

I saw this as part of the Regal Mystery Movie on 12/01/2025. A great movie with a strong female cast, supporting female cast, and strong female production crew. :pound_symbol:MenSuck To say much more is to ruin it.