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Film Review: 'One Night Only' Offers a Bland Romantic Comedy from a Dystopian Premise

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new film, "One Night Only," depicts a dystopian America where unmarried individuals are prohibited from having sex, except for one night per year.
  • The movie follows two characters, Allie and Owen, as they navigate this restrictive society and seek genuine connection during the annual "sex holiday."
  • Despite its premise, the film is described as a romantic comedy that, according to the review, fails to fully explore the societal implications of its premise.

In "One Night Only," a new film now in theaters, America is reimagined as a place where unmarried individuals face a nationwide sex ban, with a single 12-hour window each year for consensual encounters. The premise, which sounds more like a dystopian drama than a romantic comedy, follows Allie (Monica Barbaro) and Owen (Callum Turner) as they navigate this restrictive society.

One Night Only depicts a reactionary America where only married couples can legally sleep together.

— ReviewerSummary of the film's premise.

Allie, aiming for a meaningful connection rather than a fleeting encounter, prepares for the annual "sex holiday" by choosing an elegant dress. She calculates the odds of finding good sex on a one-night stand at a mere 2.8 percent, preferring to find a lasting bond. Meanwhile, Owen is dealing with a breakup from his long-term girlfriend, Malika (Maya Hawke), who desires sexual experiences with others that year.

The chance for good sex on a one-night stand is only 2.8 percent, Allie calculated.

— ReviewerDescribing Allie's pragmatic approach to relationships.

The film's world is policed by a tattoo on each person's wrist, linked to a biosensor that monitors physiological signs of arousal. Violations trigger automatic police notification. However, the review suggests the film leans into romantic comedy tropes, featuring a happy soundtrack and a scene where rebels chant "Fuck the Mandate." Even when Allie ends up at a police station, the film doesn't delve deeply into the oppressive system, with Allie's questioning of a police officer about standing on the "wrong side of history" feeling forced.

The twelve hours are the exceptional window of the nationwide sex ban for singles in the film 'One Night Only'.

— ReviewerExplaining the film's central conceit.

The review criticizes the film for its missed opportunities, describing it as a "pure romantic comedy" that doesn't fully capitalize on its potentially dramatic premise. The protagonist is called "rather bland," and the film ultimately fails to evolve into a more urgent parable, despite the dystopian setting.

This sounds more like a dystopian drama, reminiscent of the gruesome series 'The Handmaid's Tale', but here it remains a pure romantic comedy.

— ReviewerCritiquing the film's genre execution.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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