“One Night Only” operates on a unique premise. It imagines a world where premarital sex is illegal all year, except for one night. Inspired comparisons to “The Purge” or Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” highlight its central theme.
The film introduces us to a unique U.S. mandate that allows premarital sex only during a 12-hour window once a year. For three years, this restriction has been in place, raising various questions. How is this policy enforced? What are its boundaries? And why not relocate to countries with relaxed regulations?
Directed by Will Gluck, known for “Easy A” and “Anyone But You,” the movie leans more towards a romantic theme than exploring its dystopian setup. Despite its raunchy setup, it’s a rom-com with a focus on romance and comedy. This limits the satire and makes the film appear less innovative in its comedic approach.
However, the film remains watchable due to its appealing leads, Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. Romantic comedies have long provided stars with a platform to shine. Turner, already rumored for Bond roles, has experience in the genre from last year’s “Eternity.” For Barbaro, known for roles in “Top Gun: Maverick,” this film showcases her lead-actor potential.
The movie centers on Owen, a pizzeria owner in Manhattan, and Allie, a singer performing pharmaceutical jingles. Owen’s engagement plans collapse when his girlfriend reveals plans with another. Allie, coaxed by friends, hesitates to engage in such a night. Despite the concept, neither character finds immediate success on this anticipated night.
Throughout the film, they explore New York, encountering nightclub scenes and condom shortages. The script by Travis Braun effectively critiques the swipe-right culture, emphasizing the difficulty of old-fashioned romantic connections. Product placements appear, yet sincerity seems lacking in the portrayal.
The film often narrows its potential, aiming at a conservative sex-life satire and then turning nostalgic. This shift leads to a climax at a New York landmark. Lacking the expected bawdy or tender moments, “One Night Only” instead thrives as a commentary on the leads’ screen presence. Cameos by Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, and Pete Davidson add to this meta aspect.
In summary, while the film does not fully capitalize on its concept, Barbaro and Turner deliver engaging performances. Rated R for its content, “One Night Only” runs for 102 minutes and is distributed by Universal Pictures. It scores two stars out of four.
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