One Night Only (2026)

One Night Only is a romantic comedy written by Travis Braun, creator of T.O.T.S., that ultimately turns out to be something very different from what its marketing suggests. The trailers present it as a lighthearted Valentine's Day romance, but the film quickly pivots into a dystopian story that blends elements of The Purge with overt political commentary. Whether that shift works will largely depend on the viewer's expectations, but I found the bait-and-switch frustrating. The political messaging is so persistent that it frequently overshadows the romance at the center of the story. Despite that, the direction from Will Gluck is surprisingly strong, with confident staging and solid pacing that keep the film engaging even when the screenplay becomes heavy-handed. Gluck did Anyone But You and the romance really felt similar to the point I couldn't help but think of the film even though I had forgotten he had done the film back in '23. Another distraction is the amount of product placement, particularly from Duolingo and Dunkin', both of which become difficult to ignore as the film progresses.

Monica Barbaro, known for Top Gun: Maverick and A Complete Unknown, initially felt like an odd fit for the lead role. As the story developed, however, she steadily won me over. By the final act, I found myself genuinely invested in her character and hoping she would end up with Callum Turner. Turner, known for Masters of the Air and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, complements Barbaro well, and the chemistry between the two becomes the film's strongest asset. Their performances ultimately carry the emotional weight that the screenplay sometimes struggles to earn.

Maya Hawke, known for Stranger Things and Asteroid City, and Molly Ringwald, known for The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, are welcome additions to the cast. Neither has a dominant role, but both make memorable impressions whenever they appear. Their presence adds charm and energy to the film, helping to elevate scenes that might otherwise have been weighed down by the script's insistence on reinforcing its central message.

Overall, One Night Only works best as a romance and is at its strongest whenever it focuses on the relationship between its two leads. The direction is solid, the performances improve as the film unfolds, and the supporting cast is enjoyable. Unfortunately, the misleading marketing, frequent political messaging, and distracting product placement prevent it from reaching its full potential. There is a good romantic comedy buried here, but it's competing with too many other ideas for attention. Result: C-

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Onslaught (2026)

Onslaught is a grindhouse action/horror movie, and I had no idea it was going to turn into a slasher until about five minutes in. Adam Wingard , a V/H/S alumni, writes and directs, and while the action can be pretty good at times, it's also flawed in some pretty obvious ways. The biggest problem is the plot armor given to the heroine. Why can these super soldiers hit everyone else just fine, but suddenly can't hit her? It makes some of the action feel less exciting when you know the movie is going to bend the rules to keep her alive. Adria Arjona spends the majority of the movie dressed like she's headed to Walmart, but somehow she doesn't look bad. Few people could probably pull off an outfit like that and still make it work. She does a decent job in the role, even if the character is clearly protected by the script whenever the action gets going. Dan Stevens has a great cameo, and Reginald VelJohnson brings his classic acting chops to the movie. Drew Starkey pla...

The Runner (2026)

The Runner is directed by Kevin Macdonald and written by Mark Gibson , and it starts off incredibly cringe. Considering Gibson's past work, that isn't exactly surprising, but the camera work and directing choices are all over the place as well. The premise itself is already pretty unrealistic, and the movie does very little to make it believable. It also doesn't help that the pacing makes the whole thing feel much longer than it actually is. Gal Gadot's portrayal of a mother is so awful that I started wondering if she's ever actually interacted with her own children. There are moments where she runs with decent form, but then there are other times when she's running all limp-wristed, exactly as you'd expect someone who clearly isn't a runner to run. More importantly, her character is incredibly difficult to take seriously. Even though she has a kidnapped child, she still acts like she should be bossing the kidnapper around. It doesn't feel like a...

Him (2025)

Him (2025) is directed by Justin Tipping , best known for Kicks , with Jordan Peele serving as a heavy-handed producer. Despite the talent involved, the film leans into “and then” style writing that feels meandering and leaves the audience more tired than engaged. Marlon Wayans , known for White Chicks and Scary Movie , goes over the top in a way that doesn’t fit the film’s intent, creating more distraction than humor or depth. Tyriq Withers , previously in I Know What You Did Last Summer , turns in an even weaker performance here, offering little in the way of presence or believability. Julia Fox , who gained recognition for Uncut Gems , is strange and out of place, adding little to the narrative. Jim Jefferies , a comedian known for Legit , is barely given anything to work with, and his limited screen time wastes his talent. I found myself bored and not surprised. There is also a bit of sacrilegious writing that might turn off some audiences. Result: C+

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