The Wasteland Reviewer

One Night Only (2026) Written Review

How desperate would you be to have sex if you could only do it one night per year (or get married)? This just might be one of the least fun authoritarian dystopias imaginable. When a Christian movement gets premarital sex outlawed (but we do need compromise to make a nation work), they do allow un-married folks 12 hours to sex it up. That is the basis for the new theatrical romantic comedy One Night Only. There are plenty of shenanigans to get up to on an evening like this, but Callem Turner’s Owen and Monica Barbaro’s Allie find their evenings intertwined…maybe even destined to collide. Director Will Gluck drops audiences into the lives of Owen and Allie and provides quite the wild ride.

How does Gluck bring this wild evening to life on screen? Gluck certainly has some experience in romantic comedies like Anyone But You (one of the few financially successful romantic comedies in theaters over the last few years) and leverages that with One Night Only. One element that will not grab your attention is the visual experience. This is a brightly lit and overly sterilized cinematic experience that lacks visual depth. But editors Robert Nassau and Tia Nolan do some great work as they deliver plenty of moments of successive frames that deliver some good laughs. One of the biggest strengths of One Night Only is a consistent comedic tone that delivers plenty of laughs over the course of the runtime. Physical comedy, visual gags, satire, and one-liners are mixed well together to deliver a funny film. Tonally, One Night Only has a bit of an edge with its raunchy subject matter and some wild choices that make the film quite engaging. The pacing is quick and just has a propulsive nature that works well for the film. The limited moments where things slow down to feel a little underwhelming but there is too much fun to be had to dismiss the film. There are even some character and narrative relevant pieces of music that are injected into the experience that gives it plenty of personality.

Does Braun’s screenplay make the most of this concept and deliver a thoughtful and engaging experience? Starting with the biggest picture…One Night Only briefly explores this authoritarian society.  There are a few newscasts injected into the film that lay out the thematic elements and the rules of this society. The film falters in having an engaging or impactful exploration of this pre-marital sex ban. There are a few quick statements professed by characters, but it is mostly background noise to the romantic and sex comedy elements. Speaking of background…the visual gags with ads by corporations embracing the event deliver some serious laughs along the way (so a bit of satire works). Owen and Allie are a pair of well-fleshed out characters with depth, motivation, and a mission for this evening which makes their journeys more effective and easier to buy into. The dialogue is a big piece of the puzzle as the banter between them pops and there are plenty of supporting characters with some fun dialogue as well (including a foul-mouthed 12-year-old who has no filter). The film leans into the “After Hours” approach of an evening that goes completely off the rails in New York City. The narrative beats are loose and a few of the set pieces fall a bit flat. There are certainly some truly clever and fun scenarios but there is a sense that the script loses some steam towards the end (before its resolution).

How does this cast navigate this fun and wild premise? Turner’s performance feels a little bit more “put on” with the thick and noticeable New Yorker accent but he is still charming and builds some solid empathy. Barbaro is the true shining light though as she is endlessly charming and keeps your attention throughout the film. But the chemistry between them is the real driving force throughout the film. One Night Only is the type of story that lends itself to a wide variety of actors to pop in and out of the film. This romantic comedy certainly doesn’t disappoint in that department including some surprising cameos that would be a shame to spoil. But there are some supporting players who leave a legitimate impact. Molly Ringwald plays Owen’s mom, and she is confident, vocal, and horny in the brief screentime. LaVar Burton (of “Reading Rainbow” fame) is a fun and unexpected addition as Ringwald’s partner. You have the likes of Julia Fox, King Princess, Ella Loudon, Nicholas Braun, and more who leave an impact in limited roles. It is a shame that Maya Hawke (who is quite the talented performer) gets little to do or play with as Owen’s girlfriend who sets him off on this evening of sexual exploration.

Is One Night Only a worthwhile trip to the movies? In a time where romantic comedies are a rare element of the theater going experience, Gluck’s film delivers a good time at the movies. If you are looking for laughs, One Night Only has them. If you are looking for a charming pair to carry a romantic flick, One Night Only delivers. The film might never fully explore its intriguing premise, but it has enough running gags, fun characters, and raunchy beats to make to a fun and solid cinematic experience.