I’ve been wanting Callum Turner in another romantic comedy since we watched him shine in Eternity, so I had high hopes for One Night Only. Plus, Monica Barbaro? Say less. Their chemistry was palpable from the trailers, and the movie had all the markings to be a uniquely compelling rom-com, but sadly, their chemistry isn’t enough to save the uneasy feeling that’s left in me.
If we were maybe living in a time where people weren’t scared of their rights being stripped from them at any given moment, One Night Only could’ve been a bonkers, more intriguing satire. Or, better yet, if the movie focused on getting rid of this mandate while Turner’s Owen and Barbaro’s Allie fell in love during the twelve hours, it would’ve been twice as compelling. But instead, it spends the majority of its runtime with the two of them crossing paths while they try to find someone to sleep with. Screen time for the pair is so limited that most of what we see is in the trailers.
This isn’t to say that there’s nothing outside of that—one scene in particular radiates deliciously with a gorgeous rendition of Yaz’s “Only You” from Barbaro—but outside of that, it’s hard to be satisfied with what we’re given. And all of this is largely because Turner and Barbaro are so good when they’re sharing a scene that you can’t help but want more. The narrative leaves us with very little to cling to, and while it’s indeed a happy ending where they’re together before the credits roll, you can’t help but feel like something’s missing.
In large part, again, so much of it has to do with the plot and the detail that it’s incredibly discomforting to watch a movie like this in 2026. It feels too much like a puritan film, even as it’s trying to pinpoint all the reasons why the mandate itself is horrible. The components that make up this specific world could’ve been more enticing if they were more layered as opposed to glossed over.
Visually, however, everything about One Night Only works. It looks and feels like a ’90s/early aughts New York rom-com, and that’s the part that makes it worth watching alongside the performances. The movie would’ve been such a treat if the plot wasn’t so frustrating and unsettling. The soundtrack is also rife with incredible needle drops that allow mundane sequences to feel more enticing, which in turn adds a lot more levity to how dire things really are in this universe.
It’s unfortunate because a good satire and a romantic comedy could result in an effective marriage. But neither of the genres feel grounded or fleshed out enough. There seem to be gaps in a narrative that deserves far more attention in the political climate we’re living through to make the movie satisfying on all fronts. It’s a one-time watch at best, solely for how gripping the performances are, but everything else sadly comes at the wrong place and time.
One Night Only is now playing exclusively in theaters.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Universal Pictures