In the latest twist on the The Purge saga, actors Callum Turner and Monica Barbaro lead the charge in the new film titled One Night Only.
Originating in 2013, The Purge is a well-known series of dystopian horror films portraying a future America where crime and overfilled prisons prompt the government to allow all crimes for a 12-hour period once a year. This franchise has expanded to include five films to date.
Recently, Entertainment Weekly unveiled exclusive first-look images from One Night Only. In this film, Turner (famous from Eternity) and Barbaro (known from A Complete Unknown) exist in a world where premarital sex is outlawed. The regulation stipulates that, for a single night from 7 pm to 7 am, unmarried individuals are permitted to engage in sexual activities, creating a scenario that mirrors The Purge but with more focus on romance rather than violence.
Directed and scripted by Will Gluck, known for his work on Anyone But You and Easy A, the film explores a peculiar societal ban whose origins are forgotten. Gluck explained to EW that like many political issues, the reasons behind the ban on premarital sex have been lost over time. He emphasized, “That’s not the point. The point is that they have an exception for one night a year.”
In the storyline, Turner’s character, Owen, and Barbaro’s character, Allie, find themselves unexpectedly alone on this anticipated night. Allie’s best friend ends up with a stranger, while Owen’s fiancée leaves him for another man. Gluck commented on the unexpected connection that forms between Allie and Owen in the midst of New York’s chaos:
“Here are two lost souls, alone in New York City, without any connections or friends, essentially ghosted. Yet, amidst everyone else frantically searching for a partner, they find themselves in a romantic twist of fate on the most unromantic night of the year.”
Although the premise shares similarities with The Purge, Gluck clarified that One Night Only should not be directly compared to it. He mentioned, “The reason why I steer away from The Purge comparison is that this film isn’t about orgies and nudity. That’s not what this movie is about.” Turner also reflected on the ironic bond his character forms with Barbaro’s, saying:
“It seems like the universe is playing a joke on us, repeatedly throwing us together on this chaotic night we both despise. It’s almost a cosmic joke, that the most dreaded night is what ultimately brings us together.”
One Night Only is set to hit theaters on August 7.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
