TL;DR – This is such a silly premise for a film, but goodness does the chemistry and commitment of the cast make it work.

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.

Disclosure – I was invited to a press screening of this film.

One Night Only Review Introduction

Today we are looking at a film that might have the most preposterous premise for a story, and that is me taking into account that the ridiculous becoming normal is very much the nature of existence in this time we live in. But can you do something interesting with a preposterous premise? A Dystopian Romcon? That is what we will look at today.  

So, to set the scene, in the not-too-distant future, the United States has outlawed sex outside marriage and enforces this via sensor data chips implanted in every person that sends information about your bodies back to the government via 5G. However, for one night a year, the ban is lifted. It is here where we meet Owen (Callum Turner), who is about to propose to his girlfriend (Maya Hawke) over dinner and Allie (Monica Barbaro), who is tired of meaningless hookups and is hoping to find something more meaningful on this of all nights. That is their plan, but like an old general once said, no plans survive first contact with the enemy.

Chemistry

This is a film that is all about sex, relationships, and their intersections, and in many cases clear divergences. Because of this, you will need to prepare yourself for a complete deluge of public displays of affection as the film progresses. However, while this could have been an easy way of having a lot of skin be used to cover for a lacklustre narrative, the cast do step up to make this a fundamentally engaging watch. Part of that is because nearly everyone in this film has astounding chemistry. The will they/won’t they story of Owen & Allie likely only works because Monica Barbaro & Callum Turner run into every narrative fracture moment at 100 km/h. It is honestly so much fun watching them interact that you can’t help but root for them, even as the film gets progressively more absurd as it continues.  

The Whole Cast

While Monica Barbaro & Callum Turner are at the heart of this film, everyone else is absolutely game for the wholesale shenanigans that are unfolding. Of course, I must start with Molly Ringwald and LeVar Burton, who are diabolically funny in every moment they are on screen. I didn’t know that LeVar Burton had such amazing comedic timing, but goodness does it work. There are a lot of small roles, like Troy (Mateo Ray), that frankly shouldn’t work, but they consistently land because the actors fully commit to the bit. There are a number of cameos throughout the film, and they clearly want you to know that they shot this in New York. They are a bit of a mixed bag, but no one is outrightly bad.

Very Funny but Very Shallow

Without a doubt, this is a very funny film, and they take the opportunity to find a joke in almost every situation, including one of the best needle drops I have heard all year that had the cinema in stitches. They are also not content to just be throwing jokes out there and seeing what hits, like a lot of other American comedies. They use physicality, editing, placement, and music to hit a lot of different laughs throughout. However, I do think, given the premise clearly had something to say about modern America from a political sense, that the film did fail to address this properly. Now, they do sort of try in places, but it is often just in the service of a joke, and there never feels like there is any substance to the critique, bar waving your hands around to say ‘look, can you see’.

Recommendation

In the end, do we recommend One Night Only? Well, this might be an interesting one, because while I did find it quite funny and engaging, I am concerned about where its market is, for it feels like it would be scandalous for the Americans and prudish for the Europeans. I think the subject material will be a turn-off for some, but if it connects with the right demographic, or those looking for a solid romcom, then I think you’ll find a gem.   

Have you watched One Night Only? Let us know what you thought in the comments below. If you liked One Night Only, we would recommend Finding Emily to you because it is also a romantic comedy based on a silly premise that works as well as it does because the cast has amazing chemistry.

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Bluesky at @Tldrmovrev, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Feel free to share this review on social media and check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of One Night Only
Directed by – Will Gluck
Written by – Travis Braun and Will Gluck
Music by – Este Haim & Christopher Stracey
Cinematography by – Yaron Orbach
Edited by – Tia Nolan
Production/Distribution Companies – Olive Bridge Entertainment & Universal Pictures
Starring – Monica Barbaro, & Callum Turner
With – Molly Ringwald, LeVar Burton, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, Ella Loudon, Michelle Hurd, Roma Maffia, Ziwe, King Princess, Charlie Gillespie, Ben Marshall, Nicholas Braun, Levi Dylan, Mateo Ray, Sydney Cole Alexander, Quintessa Swindell, Okieriete Onaodowan, Este Haim, Pete Davidson, & Bobby Cannavale
Rating – Australia: M; Canada: 14A; Germany: 12; New Zealand: M; United Kingdom: na; United States: PG-13