Why ‘One Night Only’ Doesn’t Explain the History of the Mandate That Makes Sex Illegal

The film "One Night Only" presents a society where pre-marital sex is only legal once a year, specifically in the movie's timeline - three years prior to its release. Director Will Gluck intentionally avoided delving into the reasoning behind this rule, acknowledging that the story focuses on the current reality rather than the origins of the law.

Gluck explained that he didn't want to create a prequel to address the curiosity surrounding this mandate. He noted that many events unfolding in the world today, such as those we would have deemed impossible a year ago, are now commonplace, much like the annual night for pre-marital sex in this fictional society. Gluck admitted to a tendency to lean on dialogue in his storytelling, which could potentially lead to overexplaining.

However, he felt that allowing viewers to observe the reactions of people around his main characters while they navigate their relationship would be a more effective way to convey the societal context. Despite this, Gluck emphasized that the characters in the film were more concerned with their personal relationships and prevailing over societal norms rather than debating the mandate. "One Night Only" is currently playing in theaters nationwide.