Charli XCX, the Grammy-winning pop disruptor known for hits like “Von Dutch,” is officially making her cinematic debut in 100 Nights of Hero, a queer fantasy romance from director Julia Jackman. Though she’s flirted with acting before, this marks the first time the global music icon has been formally cast in a major dramatic film role, and it’s one that’s already turning heads on the festival circuit.
A Star Is Cast
In the film, Charli XCX plays Rosa, a mystical, fairy-tale figure who appears in surreal dreamlike sequences and haunts the edges of the story’s enchanted world. While not a lead role, Rosa plays a pivotal part in adding a magical texture to the film’s queer narrative, centered on a forbidden love triangle.
Set in a mysterious castle, 100 Nights of Hero follows a delicate and dangerous romantic entanglement between a nobleman’s wife, Cherry, her devoted maid, Hero, and a charming visitor, Manfred. Adapted from Isabel Greenberg’s graphic novel, which was itself inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, the story uses myth, storytelling, and subversive romance to challenge patriarchal power structures. And at the heart of it all is Rosa, the musical spirit conjured into existence by Charli XCX’s signature charisma.
Why Jackman Chose Her
Director Julia Jackman admitted that she was initially unsure about casting a pop star in a fantasy period piece. But that changed after a chance meeting with Charli XCX following her 2024 Glastonbury performance. Riding the high of her critically acclaimed album Brat, Charli expressed interest in acting and was open to exploring new creative territory.
She showed up to the first meeting with an iPad full of notes, ready to dive in without ego. Her preparation and curiosity stood out to Jackman. During their conversation, the director said she discovered a quiet shyness, a dry sense of humor, and a thoughtfulness that she hadn’t expected.
“It was a very pleasant surprise when someone said to me: I think she might vibe with the film.”
The two met during Charli’s Glastonbury set in 2024, while her album Brat was surging she told Variety.
“She had brought her iPad and her notes and was very open and keen to not force things,” Jackman continued. “And as we were speaking, I heard her dry sense of humour and there was a shyness and demureness I wasn’t expecting. So I felt that she could be perfect to play this mythical fairy-tale figure.”
The Story Behind 100 Nights of Hero
100 Nights of Hero is a lush, stylized adaptation of a beloved graphic novel. The plot begins with a twisted bet: a wealthy man wagers that his friend can seduce his wife within 100 nights. Unbeknownst to them, the wife is in love with her maid, and together the two women plot to thwart the scheme.
To distract the would-be seducer, Hero spins stories each night, tales of rebellion, passion, and feminine power. These inner stories layer over the central narrative, creating a tapestry of queer mythology. The result is both a love story and a radical statement about who gets to tell stories and whose voices have been historically silenced.
The cast also includes Nicholas Galitzine as Manfred, Maika Monroe as Cherry, and Emma Corrin as Hero, along with appearances from Felicity Jones, Richard E. Grant, and Amir El-Masry.
Film Festivals and Release Dates
100 Nights of Hero will have its world premiere on September 6 at the Venice International Film Festival. It will also close the London Film Festival on October 19 before arriving in U.S. theaters on December 5.
Industry buzz is already building, not just for the film’s visually striking aesthetic and sweeping romance, but also for Charli XCX’s standout performance.
Charli’s Broader Cinematic Ascendance
While 100 Nights of Hero is her first officially cast acting role, it’s far from her last. Charli XCX is also set to appear at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival with Erupcja, a guerrilla-style indie drama she co-wrote, and Sacrifice, an action-comedy co-starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Salma Hayek, and Chris Evans.
She’s also attached to several other projects, including Faces of Death with Barbie Ferreira, I Want Your Sex directed by Gregg Araki, The Gallerist alongside Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega, and The Moment, a psychological thriller that she’s also co-producing with Alexander Skarsgård.
It’s clear Charli isn’t just dabbling in acting, she’s carving out a serious path in film, with a slate that spans genres and high-profile collaborators.
