For nearly a decade, a steady stream of podcasts, books, and discussions has grappled with a persistent question: why is Generation Z seemingly less active in their sexual lives? Recent cultural shifts suggest a move toward addressing this perceived frigidity, with a surge in “smut” literature, prestige television featuring OnlyFans creators, and a notable trend toward kink in independent cinema. This summer, several films have focused on the sexual misadventures of young protagonists to explore the complexities of generational attitudes toward intimacy.
A central contradiction defines the current sexual landscape for zoomers: they are arguably the most sexually progressive generation in history, yet they remain deeply influenced by rampant sexual conservatism. The 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade, for instance, has left 16% of single Gen Z adults feeling more apprehensive about dating. This tension serves as the premise for the romcom One Night Only, which depicts a dystopian future where Congress has banned premarital sex. In this world, the government permits sexual freedom for only one night annually. During this chaotic window, characters Owen, played by Callum Turner, and Allie, played by Monica Barbaro, navigate missed connections and absurd obstacles—such as condoms priced at $2,000—that mirror the frustrations of modern dating apps.
While One Night Only leans into the comedy of its premise, it perhaps misses the deeper, existential nature of the current “sex recession.” The alienation often stems from being the first generation to grow up entirely in the digital age, with the youngest members coming of age during the global pandemic. The film does, however, capture the inherent awkwardness of initiating intimacy, which remains a universal challenge.
Other summer releases suggest that sex alone cannot resolve the fundamental loneliness of modern life. In Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, Elliot (Cooper Hoffman) serves as the assistant to the provocative artist Erika Tracy (Olivia Wilde). The film’s most poignant moment occurs during a doomed, complex threesome with Elliot’s roommate Apple (Chase Sui Wonders), which forces the characters to confront their own muddled desires and insecurities.
Both I Want Your Sex and The Invite—the latter directed by and starring Wilde—share a thematic dynamic where younger characters seek self-knowledge through the guidance of an older, experienced woman. Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, directed by Jane Schoenbrun, approaches this differently by weaving sex, death, and art together as inseparable human impulses. The film follows 29-year-old filmmaker Kris (Hannah Einbinder) as she attempts to reboot the Camp Miasma slasher franchise. Through her relationship with the original “final girl” Billy Presley (Gillian Anderson), Kris learns that achieving sexual or artistic fulfillment requires surrendering control and moving beyond over-intellectualization.
While these films may not serve as literal guides for Gen Z, they act as cautionary reflections on modern behavior. After years of seeing sex depicted in unrealistic ways—or disappearing from screens entirely—the return of these messy, awkward, and sincere portrayals offers a welcome shift in contemporary cinema.
Despite its political tenor, One Night Only’s vision of dystopia is not a comment on America’s rapid hurtle toward authoritarianism. It merely presents obstacles for Allie and Owen to overcome – such as the $2,000 price tag for the condoms Owen attempts to procure – much like the missed connection brought about by a busy phone line in a 90s romcom. We know nothing about what these characters’ lives were like before the ban, which means that Allie’s complaints about the difficulty of finding her “Prince Charming” come off generic, indistinguishable from any number of complaints that I, a married zoomer, have heard from my single friends about dating in the age of apps.
Silly hi-jinks aside, One Night Only misunderstands today’s sex recession as libidinal, when really, it’s existential. It’s not that zoomers aren’t horny, or can’t find a man: they are the first generation to grow up fully under the influence of the internet, with its attendant alienations; worse, its youngest members came of age during the pandemic. Knowing how to relate to one another is hard enough, let alone how to initiate sex – a process often awkward, if not outright painful, for everyone no matter their age (This much, at least, One Night Only gets right.)
Related Articles
Meet Md. Rubel Rana
As a core contributor to Worlddincidents.com, Rubel Rana brings a unique perspective to the world of journalism. Whether it’s deep-diving into historical trivia or covering the latest global headlines, Rubel Rana is committed to delivering high-quality, high-impact articles. Their writing blends meticulous research with a compelling voice, helping readers stay informed and curious about the world around them.