Ahead of the release of romcom-with-a-twist "One Night Only", Polygon interviewed writer-director Will Gluck about the world he built for the film, in which a US law—"the mandate"—restricts sex to one designated night per year, enforced via endorphin-tracking wrist sensors, with the story following two strangers (played by Monica Barbaro and Callum Turner) who fall for each other during that night. Gluck, known for "Easy A" and "Anyone But You", was initially reluctant to over-explain the film's dystopian premise, telling the interviewer he wanted audiences to debate the details among themselves rather than have everything spelled out on screen, though he warmed up as the conversation went on.

Pressed on specifics, Gluck offered tongue-in-cheek answers about how the fictional law came to pass: he claimed the congressional vote was razor-thin (roughly 50.01 to 49.9), said the Supreme Court has not intervened because it rarely overturns legislation, and expressed hope the ban would eventually be reversed. He also explained that married couples remain exempt from the restriction but must stay wed for a year and a day before divorcing, to stop people gaming the system, and hinted at further in-film signage detailing other loopholes, such as rules for international visitors.