In The Purge and its endless franchise spawn, an annual felony free-for-all allows for a single night of unlawful acts, including murder, in a United States of Grim that’s otherwise crime-free the rest of the year. Similarly, in the contemporary New York City world of One Night Only, tight-sphinctered conservatives have outlawed sex for anyone unmarried, lifting the ban for just a single 12-hour window per year, protection required. You might think CVS would plan ahead and stack the shelves with condoms during the countdown period. But removing that prophylactic shortage would rob Travis Braun’s silly script of one of many hindrances in the way of two reluctant lovebirds connecting.
Luckily for director Will Gluck, who is tasked with turning this flimsy concept into fizzy fun, he has two charming leads in Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. Their easygoing chemistry makes us root for them to get over the many contrived hurdles that will take them from meet-cute through friction, blossoming friendship and horny flirtation until they inevitably arrive at true romance.
One Night Only
The Bottom Line
Magnetic leads redeem it.
