Universal Expresses Urgency for Action to Save Romantic Comedy Films with Hopeful Insights on Will Gluck’s ‘One Night Only’
Universal Pictures has unveiled a first look at its upcoming romantic comedy, One Night Only, featuring Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner, directed by Will Gluck, known for Anyone but You.
At CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Wednesday, the studio revealed the film’s premise, previously kept under wraps. Set in a world where premarital sex is permitted only one night each year, the story follows two individuals who connect on that fateful night.
Before the trailer debut, the studio showcased a sizzle reel featuring clips from iconic romantic comedies, reflecting on an era when love stories captivated audiences. The reel emphasized the decline of the genre, stating, “Fewer romantic comedies than ever before. If we don’t act now, love will leave theaters forever.” However, the studio expressed optimism for the summer, highlighting One Night Only as a beacon of hope.
The trailer introduces Turner and Barbaro’s characters flirting in a pizzeria, where Turner shares his thoughts on intimacy, describing it as “the after, two people lying there sharing a secret.” Moments later, the scene shifts to ten hours earlier, with Barbaro’s character, Allie, expressing the difficulty of finding love in a world governed by peculiar sexual rules. She yearns to “find something real,” raising the question of whether she has indeed found it in Turner’s character, Owen.
Gluck directed the film from a script he co-wrote, adapted from an original by Travis Braun, which topped the 2024 Black List. This project marks Gluck’s return to the romantic comedy genre following successes like Easy A and Friends with Benefits, with Anyone but You grossing an impressive $220 million worldwide.
One Night Only also features an ensemble cast including Molly Ringwald, LeVar Burton, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, and Este Haim. The film is set to premiere on August 7, produced by Gluck and Jacqueline Monetta through their Olive Bridge Entertainment.
