Two new romantic comedies have recently debuted, offering contrasting approaches to the genre, alongside other notable film releases that include a post-apocalyptic drama and a melodrama from acclaimed directors.

One Night Only, set in a near-future America where pre-marital sex is banned except for a single designated night each year, explores whether two strangers can find love under these unusual restrictions. The film stars Callum Turner as Owen, a cautious pizza chef, and Monica Barbaro as Allie, an aspiring singer seeking something deeper than a fleeting encounter. While the premise is unconventional, some critics find the fictional world insufficiently developed, with the concept serving more as a backdrop for chaotic scenes featuring numerous celebrity cameos. Despite the narrative challenges, Turner and Barbaro’s on-screen chemistry is noted as a highlight, although it occurs too sporadically to fully compensate for the film’s lack of emotional depth. The film runs 102 minutes and carries a 15 rating.

In contrast, I Want Your Sex is a sex comedy featuring Olivia Wilde as Erika, a bold artist who hires a much younger assistant, Elliot, played by Cooper Hoffman. The story spans 14 years and channels elements of workplace power dynamics with a provocative tone. Its vibrant visual style and sharp dialogue offer a playful critique of modern sensitivities and art-world culture. Wilde and Hoffman share an unexpected but endearing chemistry, though some viewers note the film falls short of more emotionally resonant power-play stories. This 90-minute film carries an 18 rating.

Beyond romantic comedies, Ridley Scott’s latest effort, The Dog Stars, is set in 2035 in a world nearly devastated by a pandemic. The film follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a former pilot living at an abandoned Colorado airfield with his dog Jasper and a small group of survivors who maintain a fortified compound. The narrative centers on Hig’s quest for human connection amid threats from violent marauders. Adapted from Peter Heller’s novel, the film combines moments of quiet reflection on simple pleasures with bursts of intense action, showcasing Scott’s signature directional style. The Dog Stars is rated 15 and runs 118 minutes.

Additionally, Bitter Christmas marks director Pedro Almodovar’s latest film, a melodrama that intertwines two timelines: the present, where filmmaker Raul struggles with creative difficulties, and 2004, focusing on Elsa, a woman grappling with grief and surrounded by a group of emotionally volatile characters. The film is marked by Almodovar’s vibrant visual style and emotionally charged storytelling. It also contains a self-referential exploration of filmmaking and the creative process, with the director describing it as a personal and sometimes harsh reflection. Bitter Christmas is rated 15 and runs 111 minutes.

All four films are currently showing in cinemas.