Movie Review: ‘One Night Only’

(From left) Allie (Monica Barbaro) and Owen (Callum Turner) in ‘One Night Only’, directed by Will Gluck. Photo: Universal Studios.

In theaters on August 7th is ‘One Night Only,’ the new romantic comedy from Will Gluck (‘Anyone But You’), which stars Monica Barbaro (‘Top Gun: Maverick’) and Callum Turner (‘Eternity’).

“12 hours can change everything.”

Release Date: Aug 7, 2026

Run Time: 1 hr 42 min

The cast for the movie also includes Maya Hawke (‘Inside Out 2’), Julia Fox (‘Uncut Gems’), Okieriete Onaodowan (‘Hamilton’), Molly Ringwald (‘Sixteen Candles’) and Este Haim (‘Licorice Pizza’).

Related Article: Monica Barbaro And Callum Turner Starring in Rom-Com ‘One Night Only’

Initial Thoughts

“The Purge… but for sex.” It’s certainly the sort of pitch that you can imagine being bandied about, and here it comes to life under the direction of Will Gluck, who has made the likes of ‘Easy A’ and ‘Anything But You.’ Yet can his relatively sure touch for rom-coms extend to this seemingly crazy premise (no matter that in today’s warped political climate it feels like something that could happen)?

On the evidence of ‘One Night Only,’ the answer is… sort of.

Script and Direction

Travis Braun (whose resume includes a lot of animated kids’ shows) is credited with the script here –– though director Gluck has an “additional literary material” nod at the end, indicating that he worked on sequences while in development and on the set –– and the screenplay is decent if slightly uninspiring.

The jokes mostly fall into the average category, more chuckles than belly laughs, and the structure suffers from some serious repetition as it looks to cram in as many potential other partners for our central duo before the inevitable.

Gluck still knows how to make this sort of thing work, however, and some touches, including early soundtrack cuts all being from the drug company commercials for which Barbaro’s Allie sings, really work well

Cast and Performances

(From left) Ezra Strong (Charlie Gillespie), Gorgeous Vivian (Ella Loudon), Owen (Callum Turner) and Allie (Monica Barbaro) in ‘One Night Only’, directed by Will Gluck. Photo: Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Mostly, the reason this movie works at all can be summed up in two words: Monica Barbaro. The actor shines here, by turns goofy and vulnerably, sarcastic and sincere. She nails every line and could have chemistry with a rock.

Callum Turner is never quite in her league, but he does at least work well alongside her. Kudos also to some of the supporting cast, including a game Molly Ringwald as his character’s mother and LeVar Burton as her partner.

Final Thoughts

‘One Night Only’ is less a star-making turn for Barbaro, more a star-confirming one. The film around her works in fits and starts, but never quite breaks out of being a high concept comedy that sometimes gets lost in that idea.

‘One Night Only’ receives 65 out of 100.

Callum Turner in ‘One Night Only’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

What is the plot of ‘Only Night Only’?

Two strangers crash into each other in an ever-so-slightly fictionalized New York on the one night when single people are allowed to have sex. Recently dumped Owen and hopeful romantic Allie may be the only two singles in the city looking for more than a quick encounter. They both feel a spark when they meet, but a series of missteps and side quests will complicate their night.