Cheers to love.
The Big Apple gave the world premiere of One Night Only the warmest embrace on August 3. The starry night kicked off with lovers and friends gathering at SVA theater for night of movie magic and a lavish pre-screening bash hosted by Johnnie Walker.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: Monica Barbaro attends the Universal Pictures ONE NIGHT ONLY Premiere at the SVA in New York on August 03, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
StarsCallum Turner and Monica Barbaro celebrated the premiere at the SVA Theatre in New York City alongside director Will Gluck and and script writer Travis Braun. Molly Ringwald, Maya Hawke, Julia Fox, LeVar Burton, Okieriete Onaodowan, Este Haim, Ziwe, King Princess, Ben Marshall, Nicholas Braun, Quintessa Swindell and Michelle Hurd also star in the romantic comedy.
The evening was hyped up with Johnnie Walker espresso cocktails in the lobby of the theater. Energized with buzzing excitement the movie played before captivated audience.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: (L-R) Will Gluck, Monica Barbaro, and Callum Turner speak onstage during the Universal Pictures ONE NIGHT ONLY Premiere at the SVA in New York on August 03, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Following the big screen bow, guests headed over to the after party at hot spot Crane Club. In luxurious surrounding love once again ruled as Johnnie Walker heated up the passion for cinema with curated cocktails. Over toasts of Blue Manhattans and Johnnie Walker Blue Label on the rocks, the film was applauded. Hot pizza sizzled in served bites as partygoers got a little steamy with some hot dance moves on the dance floor. It was certainly a night for the memory books.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: (L-R) Cole Sprouse, Andrew Garfield and King Princess attend the Universal Pictures ONE NIGHT ONLY Premiere After Party at Crane Club Members Lounge in New York on August 03, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
One Night Only follows Owen (Turner) and Allie (Barbaro) who might be the only two singles in the city looking for a real connection. A series of missteps and side quests complicate their night, keeping them apart despite a sparkle between them. As they each race toward and away from each other across the city, they just might discover that the one thing they want most is closer than they think.
As reviewed by staff reporter Ishan Wankavala, the film itself was a breath of fresh air for the rom-com genre; unlike most films in this category, it was not trying to be anything it wasn’t. A sarcastic, simple, and endearing film, it knows not to take itself too seriously and lets the banter and antics of leads Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner steal the show.
With punchy humor and witty dialogue, it doesn’t attempt to contend with other melodramatic blockbusters and their whatever-hundred-million-
At a time when dating in NYC is as difficult as ever, it’s easy to relate to the feeling of seeing literally everyone else around you with a date and feeling like the only person who is alone. That is where the movie strikes, through pure relatability. It was also shot on location in NYC, and the film serves as a love letter to the city. I recognized so many streets and businesses, and the final shot at the Red Lighthouse is a five-minute walk from my apartment. In this movie, New York is just as much of a character as any of the acting roles.
With stellar performances, goofy situations, and a heartwarming conclusion, One Night Only doesn’t rewrite the book on rom-coms, but it does get every single thing right, serving up an amazing summer story that anyone can enjoy.
With reporting by ElizaBeth Taylor and Ishan Wankavala.
