Imagine a world where the only time single people can have sex is one night a year. That's the delightfully absurd premise of One Night Only, the new romantic comedy from director Will Gluck (Easy A, Anyone But You). The film stars Monica Barbaro (Crime 101) and Callum Turner (Eternity), and the just-released trailer—unveiled at CinemaCon—promises a chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt ride.
Think of it as The Purge, but instead of crime, everyone's desperate for connection. In this world, couples are banned from certain venues, and the pressure is on to find a partner before the clock runs out. The trailer introduces us to Allie (Barbaro) and Owen (Turner), who meet during the frenzy. Owen works at a pizza shop, and Allie walks in—sparks fly, but they have to navigate a city where being a "not couple" is the only way to get into the hottest spots.
Barbaro recently spoke with Collider about the film's wild concept. "It's a crazy concept. And it's one of those where you're like, 'Wait, sorry. What?' It just fires up your brain," she said. "You start to think about, like, what would I do? What's going to happen in this story? What's next? And in that way that a great high concept does." She also praised Gluck's approach, noting the handheld camera work and raw, messy New York energy that makes the film feel both relatable and fantastical.
Turner echoed her enthusiasm, calling Gluck "the third piece of that jigsaw." He added, "You're getting to work with someone who is brilliant in this world, in every world. But in this world in particular, you know, Friends With Benefits and Easy A and Anyone But You. I love those movies now." Turner described the rehearsal process as liberating, with Gluck encouraging improvisation and risk-taking. "It was an incredibly liberating experience for me," he said.
The trailer showcases Gluck's signature rom-com charm, with Barbaro and Turner bringing undeniable chemistry. The film's high-concept hook—one night a year for single people to hook up—is both hilarious and thought-provoking. It's a premise that sparks immediate curiosity: What would you do? Who would you choose? And how would you survive the chaos?
For fans of Gluck's previous work, One Night Only looks like a perfect blend of his sharp wit and heartfelt storytelling. The film also taps into the same energy as recent streaming hits like David Duchovny's 'Californication' Finds New Life as a Late-Night Apple TV+ Binge, which proves audiences love messy, character-driven stories about love and desire.
With its unique premise and star-studded cast, One Night Only is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about rom-coms of the year. Whether you're a fan of Barbaro's dramatic turns or Turner's charming performances, this film promises to deliver laughs, heart, and a whole lot of chaos. And if the trailer is any indication, it's going to be a wild night.
