Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner in “One Night Only.”
Universal Pictures
One Night Only, a romantic comedy starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, arrives on digital streaming this week after generating little heat at the box office.
Rated R, One Night Only premiered in theaters on Aug. 7. The film chronicles the one night of the year, per a government mandate, that allows single people over the age of 18 to have premarital sex, which is as long as they use protection.
Among the singles in New York City looking forward to the memorable night are a lovelorn singer, Allie (Barbaro – A Complete Unknown and FUBAR), and Owen (Turner – Eternity), a pizza shop owner who has just been cruelly dumped by his girlfriend, Malika (Maya Hawke).
As Allie and Owen’s paths continue to cross in the most unusual ways throughout the night, the two begin to wonder whether they are both just a means to an end or can actually have a relationship that will last more than just one night.
Directed by Will Gluck, One Night Only also stars Charlie Gillespie, LeVar Burton, Molly Ringwald and Michelle Hurd.
One Night Only had a slow opening weekend at the box office, earning $5.5 million from 3,012 North American Theaters. Through Sept. 3, One Night Only has earned $11.5 million domestically and $10.3 million in international ticket sales for a running worldwide box office tally of $21.8 million.
One Night Only had a production budget of $25 million before prints and advertising costs, per Variety, so the film will now need to rely on the home entertainment marketplace to recoup its production and marketing costs.
‘One Night Only’ Arrives On PVOD On Tuesday
One Night Only will make its home entertainment debut on digital streaming via premium video on demand on Tuesday, Sept. 8, confirms a new listing on Prime Video.
In addition to Prime Video, One Night Only will be available to purchase for $19.99 on PVOD on such digital platforms as Apple TV, Fandango at Home and YouTube Movies & TV. Since digital rental prices are generally $5 less than purchase prices, viewers can expect to rent One Night Only for a 48-hour period for $14.99.
One Night Only received a 43% “rotten” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer, based on 190 reviews. The film fared much better with audiences, earning a 76% “fresh” Popcornmeter score based on 500-plus verified user ratings.
The RT Critics Consensus for the film reads, “Hampered by a high-concept premise that’s full of red flags, One Night Only has charming moments thanks to its appealing stars but keeps killing the mood with world-building that prompts more questions than the script is willing to answer.”
On the flip side, the RT Audience Summary notes, “One Night Only amiably overcomes its gimmicky premise to deliver a genuine romantic comedy, elevated by the standout chemistry and performances of Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro.”
My take on One Night Only is that, while its outcome is predictable, the unique premise (the film is sort of a romantic Purge) and wonderful chemistry between Barbaro and Turner provide more than enough reasons to take a night to watch the movie. In a summer that was crowded with action, horror and animated movies, One Night Only provided a breath of fresh air on the big screen that will translate well for home viewing.
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