This New Rom-Com Asks: What If Singles Were Only Allowed One Night a Year to Hook Up?

What if the government decided that singles could only have sex one night a year? That bizarre idea forms the basis of One Night Only, the new rom-com from director Will Gluck (whom you know from Anyone But You) starring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner. I got to watch the film in advance on behalf of Cosmo and believe me: It was a wild ride.I’ll tell you whether and why you’ll want to see the film in theaters with your friends ASAP. And also not unimportant: I called Monica and Callum to ask them for their best dating advice. But first: What is One Night Only about?In One Night Only, singles are allowed—because of a mandate—to have sex with one another for 12 hours only once a year. The film is set in New York, where singer Allie (played by Monica Barbaro) and pizza maker Owen (Callum Turner) are both preparing for this night. Allie is a hopeless romantic who actually has no desire at all for a one-night stand. Owen plans to propose to his girlfriend, but gets brutally dumped because she wants to sleep with someone else.The two literally run into each other, followed by endless side quests all over the city, looking for a bed partner. And you guessed it: Meanwhile, a spark begins to develop between Allie and Owen.Although the film is set in New York, it is, of course, an alternate reality. And precisely because it sounds so absurd that the government is allowed to interfere with your sex life, I was very curious to see how the makers of One Night Only would approach this. Because honestly: It’s giving oppression.In that respect, I was pleasantly surprised. Even though the film is a rom-com, it is clear that the people in this reality do question it. I saw—just like in the political climate we know now—supporters and opponents, and every now and then there were discussions about it. And just like in real life, people sometimes agreed to disagree to keep the peace. Relatable.Still, this political issue isn’t really the heart of the story. The makers indicate that the film is a response to the modern dating scene, in which it’s harder than ever to truly connect with someone. Will Gluck calls One Night Only an “allegory for dating and love in our current society.” He wants to place what is actually happening on our phones right in front of viewers’ eyes. So the bizarre concept is mainly an excuse to say something about how we date these days—and it works surprisingly well.Add Cosmopolitan as a preferred source in your Google search results.Use your Google account to add this to your settings.The best way I can describe One Night Only is actually as a kind of erotic New Year’s Eve. You see the whole city counting down together to the moment they are allowed to jump each other—and they do just that. As soon as the clock strikes seven, this alternate New York becomes one big madness. On every surface in the city (even dirty benches and alleys, brrr), strangers have sex with each other. And meanwhile, you see two characters develop a romantic relationship in a situation that is anything but romantic or long-term.That certainly made sure I had an amazing time. There were scenes where I could do nothing but cringe, laugh, or swoon. The whole package. And besides actors Monica and Callum, the film was full of unexpected celeb cameos from the likes of Julia Fox, Pete Davidson, and Ben Marshall.Jamie McCarthy//Getty ImagesFor Cosmo, I got to watch the film before it premiered and chat with leads Monica and Callum—an absolute perk of the job. My question: What is their best advice for navigating this complicated dating landscape?Monica definitely has something to say about that: “I think that ultimately it’s about staying true to yourself,” she tells me. “The funny thing about Allie and Owen is that if they were going on a first date, it would be awkward. They would pretend to be different than they are—laughing too hard at each other’s silly jokes. But the beautiful thing about this story is that they can’t. They build a connection through a shared mission they’re trying to complete. That shows that love and connection come from a deeper place of vulnerability and authenticity. The fact that the other person appreciates that provides a foundation from which romance can grow.”Callum adds, “Love is about two people being themselves, and I think that’s the most important thing. Not trying to figure everything out or make it prettier than it is, but just being honest about who you are. Then you’ll see where it takes you.” Noted!One Night Only hits theaters on Friday, August 7.