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-

Comments

Motor City (2026)

Motor City is directed by Potsy Ponciroli and is a film that relies almost entirely on visual storytelling. With what feels like no more than six lines of dialogue throughout its runtime, Ponciroli places the burden on his direction and the performances to carry the narrative. He succeeds more often than not, using framing, pacing, and silence to build tension instead of exposition. The result is a revenge thriller that feels heavily inspired by Drive , directed by Nicolas Winding Refn , though it never quite reaches the same level of style or emotional resonance. Even so, paying homage to one of the best neo-noir films of the last two decades is hardly a bad thing. Also, it has an amazing elevator scene similar to the one in Drive . Alan Ritchson , known for Reacher and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare , plays a man who has been wrongfully accused and embarks on a relentless quest for vengeance. It's a role that perfectly suits his imposing physical presence, and he prove...

Pinocchio: Unstrung (2026)

Pinocchio: Unstrung is written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield , the filmmaker behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel. In terms of overall quality, this lands squarely between those two films. The direction is competent enough to keep the story moving, but it never rises above the low-budget slasher formula the filmmaker has become known for. The screenplay offers a few interesting ideas by reimagining the classic fairy tale as horror, yet it never fully commits to expanding the concept beyond its premise. While there are moments of creativity, the film is ultimately held back by uneven storytelling and inconsistent execution. Richard Brake , known for 31 and Barbarian , plays a dark interpretation of Geppetto and gives the film its strongest performance. It would have been easy for the role to become overly theatrical or cartoonish, but Brake keeps his performance restrained and unsettling instead. His quiet menace makes the character feel believable within th...

They Will Kill You (2026)

They Will Kill You is written and directed by Kirill Sokolov , who attempts to put his own spin on the survival horror formula popularized by film Ready or Not . This time there is no deadly game. Instead, the story revolves around a cult and a bizarre pig demon. Unfortunately, the concept is far stranger than it is compelling, and not in a way that benefits the film. Sokolov's direction never quite finds the right balance between horror and dark comedy, while the screenplay struggles to give the audience a reason to invest in its increasingly absurd premise. The entire production feels more like a direct-to-streaming release than a theatrical feature, and considering it reportedly earned only $10 million domestic against a $20 million budget, that impression is difficult to shake. Zazie Beetz , known for Joker and Deadpool 2 , stars as the film's protagonist. While she remains as beautiful as ever, her performance never rises above the material she's given. She neither ...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog