High-concept romantic comedies can be hit or miss, but One Night Only ended up being a pleasant surprise. Built around the outrageous premise of a world where premarital sex is outlawed—except for one designated night each year. The film fully embraces its absurdity while delivering a genuinely charming romance.
One Night Only is directed by Will Gluck (Anyone But You) and stars Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown) and Callum Turner (Rosebush Pruning)
A trailer for One Night Only promises a high-concept rom-com: set in a world where premartial sex is outlawed except one night of the year. Many calling it “The Purge but for sex.” What really sells this wild scenario is the chemistry between Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. Barbaro’s Allie is effortlessly charismatic, bringing an infectious energy and sense of freedom that makes her immediately likable. Turner complements her well, and together they make you believe in a relationship that could have easily felt too far-fetched. Their chemistry keeps the emotional core grounded even as the film leans into its over-the-top concept.
The film sees Allie and Owen spend their evening looking for a true connection rather a quick hook-up, and despite their meetcute moment and instant spark, they constantly missing each other through the evening. Instead, as they search for their ideal partner for the night, they realize that their notion of a “perfect partner” may not be what they’ve always believe to be.
The comedy also lands more often than not. While some of the humor is decidedly tongue-in-cheek, it consistently got a chuckle out of me. Rather than simply using its premise for shock value, One Night Only cleverly satirizes the fictional law banning premarital sex. The world-building is one of the film’s strongest elements, with businesses, advertisers, and entire industries revolving around the single night when sex is legally permitted. It’s an amusing exaggeration that also highlights just how absurd the law itself is.
My biggest criticism is that Turner’s character isn’t given quite as much depth as Barbaro’s. Allie feels like the more fully realized and dynamic of the two leads, while Turner’s character occasionally comes across as comparatively underwritten. It doesn’t derail the romance, but it does make the emotional journey feel slightly uneven.
Even so, One Night Only ultimately won me over with its charm. It embraces its ridiculous premise, pokes fun at the societal rules it creates, and never loses sight of the romance at its center. Add in a sweet ending that leaves you smiling, and you have a rom-com that exceeded my expectations and proved to be a genuinely fun time at the movies.
Movie Couple Rating: 3.5/5
About One Night Only:
Academy Award® nominee Monica Barbaro (A Complete Unknown, Top Gun: Maverick) and BAFTA nominee Callum Turner (Masters of the Air, Fantastic Beasts franchise) star as Allie and Owen, two love-starved strangers who crash into each other in an ever-so-slightly fictionalized New York City on the one night of the year when single people are allowed to have sex.
Recently dumped Owen and hopeful romantic Allie might be the only two singles in the city looking for more than just a quick encounter. They both feel a spark when they meet, but a series of missteps and side quests complicate their night, keeping them apart. As they each race toward and away from each other across the city, they just might discover that the one thing they want most is closer than they think.
The film’s electrifying cast includes Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), Julia Fox (Uncut Gems), indie pop sensation King Princess (Nine Perfect Strangers), Ben Marshall (Saturday Night Live), Ziwe (Baited with Ziwe), Ella Loudon (Can’t Let it Go) and screen legends Molly Ringwald and Levar Burton.
One Night Only is directed and produced by Will Gluck, from a script by Travis Braun. The film is produced by Will Gluck through his company Olive Bridge Entertainment, and by Olive Bridge VP Jacqueline Monetta (exec producer, Anyone but You).
