Movie Review: ‘One Night Only’ August 6, 2026By John Mulderig OSV News Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews NEW YORK (OSV News) – A frenzied search for sex occupies most of the running time of the comedy “One Night Only” (Universal). The intensity of the quest is due to the fact that the U.S. government has outlawed nonmarital encounters for all but one night of the year. Working from that absurd premise, director Will Gluck traces the relationship between two New York City romantics, pizza shop owner Owen (Callum Turner) and aspiring singer Allie (Monica Barbaro). Amid the furor surrounding them, both yearn for a meaningful connection. But that doesn’t mean they won’t settle for what they can get. Fate keeps throwing the duo together after a chance meeting. Yet competition for the last condom in town, among other factors, has temporarily soured them on each other. It is, of course, in the nature of things — or, at least, in that of the genre — that they may still see the light. Despite being appealing figures in some ways, Owen and Allie turn out not to be above such actions as destruction of property and petty theft. While the wrap-up sends a message about the value of commitment, moreover, Travis Braun’s script has by then spent too much time smirking at the animalistic nature of human mating for this last-minute switch in tone to be effective. The film contains skewed values, pervasive sexual humor, including frequent nonmarital sensuality, rear male nudity, off-screen premarital activity, same-sex kissing, about a half-dozen profanities, several milder oaths, much rough and some crude language and an obscene image. The OSV News classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Read More Movie & Television Reviews Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on the horizon Movie Review: ‘You Can See Everything’ Movie Review: ‘The Mongoose’ Movie Review: ‘Wicker’ Movie Review: ‘Klara and the Sun’ Home viewing roundup: What’s available to stream and what’s on the horizon Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
