A Review of ‘One Night Only’: A Flawed Concept with Charming Leads

One Night Only can be summed up as a fusion of The Purge and Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery, revolving around a world where premarital sex is forbidden all year except for a single night. In this alternate reality, the U.S. government mandates that sex out of wedlock is only legal for 12 hours annually. As expected, such a world invites numerous questions regarding its enforcement and societal impact.

Directed by Will Gluck, known for films like Easy A, One Night Only ventures into this peculiar premise but focuses more on romance than satire. Although marketed as a raunchy comedy, at its core, this film unfolds as a romantic comedy, lacking the depth to explore its initial satirical idea. The movie features Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, who bring enough charm to make the film enjoyable despite its shortcomings.

The romantic comedy genre often serves to spotlight rising stars. Turner, who has previously been associated with rom-coms, notably appears here alongside Barbaro in a leading role. Although One Night Only is unlikely to be a defining entry in their careers, it highlights Barbaro’s potential as a leading actress, having mostly been part of male-driven films like Top Gun: Maverick.

The plot of One Night Only revolves around two characters, Owen, played by Turner, and Allie, played by Barbaro. Owen operates a pizzeria in Manhattan, while Allie is a budding singer performing jingles. Their paths intersect unexpectedly during the annual night of legal premarital sex, following Owen’s thwarted engagement plans and Allie’s reluctance to participate.

Written by Travis Braun, the script cleverly critiques modern dating culture more than conservative policies, portraying a swipe-right culture possibly at odds with genuine romance. However, the film feels constrained, narrowing its scope rather than expanding it to encompass broader societal reflections on intimacy and relationships. Instead, it champions a nostalgic perspective, concluding in a manner reminiscent of traditional rom-coms.

Amidst its various narrative directions, One Night Only emerges as a meta commentary on the protagonists and their commanding presence in the industry. The film sees brief appearances by actors such as Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, and Pete Davidson, reinforcing its Hollywood appeal. With a PG-13 rating for sexual content, language, and brief nudity, One Night Only runs for 102 minutes.

This Universal Pictures release ultimately garners two stars out of four, offering a watchable yet inconsistent blend of satire and romance. While not fully committed to either genre, One Night Only presents a framework that, paired with its attractive leads, suggests potential for future explorations in similar cinematic premises.