STORYLINE: 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. From Will Gluck, the writer-director of Anyone But You and Friends with Benefits, comes a fresh, funny, swoony original romantic comedy about searching for love on the least romantic night of the year.  (IMDb)

     Do you remember what it was like to be Sleepless in Seattle (1993)?  How about the first time you read Bridget Jones Diary (2001)?  Who could forget the joy of fining love, during the holiday season, in both The Holiday (2006) and 2003’s Love Actually. As the 2026 summer blockbuster season, prepares to close its books, it gives cinena goers romantic chapter in the release, One Night Only.

    A few 2026 comedies have, what may be awkward to some, a sexual component to its storyline. Of these films, The Invite, has been the best, with its socially awkward sense of humor. 

   One Night Only is a rom rom, that is also a sex comedy. It is kind of The Purge (2013), as a romantic comedy.  There is a law against singles, not allowed to have sex, except for a one night a year reprieve.  Just substitute this night for prime, and you have The Purge films.  To make a point, how is something like The Invite and One Night Only, much different from a Wuthering Heights adaptation?  They tend to have sexual undertones worked into their storyline. 

    The comedy, featured in One Night Only, is not as crude as in something like I Want Your Sex.  It still features bits of crude humor, but favors the laughs you WOUKD fund in modern rom films like Anyone But You (2023).  

   I will admit I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying the movie.  I feel the golden era of rom coms were in the nineties, and it’s a genre that is tough for me to get into.  Often, it caught me off guard, when I found myself laughing, during moments of the film.  I felt the same wat about You, Me, & Tuscany, from earlier this year. Neither film is the greatest film I have seen, not even the best film I’ve seen this year, but enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.

    One Night Only ended up being a surprisingly enjoyable, romantic comedy!  It was just mindless, escapism.

    Until next time, I will see you at the movies!