Exploring the Premise of ‘One Night Only’

The Purge for sex aptly describes the premise of the film One Night Only. Alternatively, Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery could serve as a reference point for one-night stands. The movie begins with a dramatic announcement: The U.S. government has enacted a mandate making premarital sex illegal, except for one night annually. For three years, extramarital sex has been restricted except during a yearly 12-hour period.

The concept naturally raises numerous questions. How could such a policy be enforced? Where are the boundaries defined? And why hasn’t mass migration to Canada occurred?

Will Gluck’s One Night Only, known for his work on Easy A and Anyone But You, focuses less on the dystopian implications of its premise and more on offering a surprisingly tame romantic narrative. Though it’s dressed as a raunchy sex comedy, it embraces the rom-com heart, resulting in a disappointingly reserved comedy without the nerve to question its satirical idea. Nevertheless, its charming leads Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, ensure the film’s watchability.

The rom-com genre is often debated, but one of its enduring benefits is spotlighting young stars. Turner, a British actor rumored to be in Bond, appeared in another monogamy-friendly rom-com, Eternity, last year. One Night Only provides an apt platform for Barbaro, who has previously excelled in male-dominated casts, including Top Gun: Maverick, A Complete Unknown, and Crime 101. Though the film may not be a highlight in her career, it showcases her lead-actor presence.

A notable stretch in the film is both leads striking out on a night dedicated to hookups, despite their good looks. Owen, played by Turner, owns a Manhattan pizzeria and faces engagement plans getting thwarted when his girlfriend, played by Maya Hawke, chooses to sleep with someone else. Allie, portrayed by Barbaro, is a single singer paid to perform pharmaceutical jingles, hesitant to even consider going out until coaxed by friends.

As romantics on a fling-night, Owen and Allie traverse New York, often together, through nightclubs and navigating condom shortages. The script by Travis Braun cleverly satirizes swipe-right culture, where traditional romance is rare. However, One Night Only, filled with product placements from Durex to K-Y, lacks a genuine touch.

Instead, the film feels limited in scope. Early dialogue hints the night belongs to straight folks, as the LGBTQ+ community learned to bypass restrictions. Rather than broadening satire on contemporary sex lives, Gluck’s film opts for nostalgia, culminating in a climax at a New York landmark.

One Night Only falls short of full-bodied satire or engaging romance. It succeeds as a meta-comedy exploring charismatic Hollywood stars grappling with their onscreen allure. Cameos from Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, and Pete Davidson contribute light-hearted moments. Barbaro and Turner need not worry about their appeal but hope for more creative riffs in the future. Would a backgammon night create chaos akin to The Purge?

One Night Only, released by Universal Pictures, hits theaters Thursday, carrying an R rating from the Motion Picture Association for sexual content, language, and brief nudity. The movie runs for 102 minutes, earning two stars out of four.