One Day in Sedona
November 6th, 2026
MOVIE: ONE DAY IN SEDONA
STARRING: ALYSIA REINER, WALLACE LANGHAM
DIRECTED BY: MONIQUE SORGEN
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 1 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 90 MINUTES
The concept of One Day in Sedona is nothing new, and I’m probably the last person who should be reviewing it, considering I’ve already reviewed two other films just like it in 2026 (The Elephant in the Room & Lost With You). The premise isn’t complicated: two people walking and talking, with the success of the film largely depending on sharp writing and charming characters. One Day in Sedona tries hard to deliver both, but what should be a romantic stroll becomes an awkward hike for two unsuspecting lovers.
As far as meet-cutes go, One Day in Sedona doesn’t waste any time. Jules (Alysia Reiner) parks her car in a lot next to a hiking trail in Sedona, while Will (Wallace Langham) pulls up on his motorcycle and parks beside her. Both are in their 50s, and Will asks Jules for some water because he forgot that he might need it on a long hike. A conversation begins. They both seem to be alone; they’re headed in the same direction, and they’re both single. What starts as cute banter turns into a full-fledged walk-and-talk hike, during which they discuss life, lost love, politics, and even begin to develop an attraction to one another.
Typically, a movie of this nature would be right up my alley. I’m in my 40s, recently divorced, and can relate to two people trying to navigate love at a certain stage in life. Sadly, writer-director Monique Sorgen never manages to give her two leads the kind of chemistry we see in a movie like Before Sunset. On top of the lack of chemistry, the dialogue feels entirely scripted, with each actor delivering their lines while the other eagerly waits for their turn to respond. That calculated approach makes the entire film feel artificial, preventing the conversations from ever developing the natural rhythm they need.
Much of One Day in Sedona is also too cheesy to take seriously. The conversation topics range from Will’s recent divorce, his children, and his approach to being single to Jules’ decision not to have children, her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s, and her work as a writer. All of these subjects could make for engaging conversations, but Sorgen films them as though she’s making a 90-minute commercial for The North Face. Wedged between the talking scenes are moments that inspire secondhand embarrassment, including a random guy playing a fiddle for the couple before somehow joining a group of younger people dancing on a rock to music from their Bluetooth speaker. It’s one of those moments when you just want to turn around and sprint away from everyone involved.
The intentions behind One Day in Sedona are genuine. The performances are fine, and credit goes to Sorgen for making a film that focuses on people at these ages and stages of life. We don’t get enough stories like this. Unfortunately, this one does not work. The longer it goes on, the less invested I become. It feels like an extended commercial for Cialis or like watching your mom or dad on a first date, and I don’t know anyone who wants to be around to witness that. Maybe for a couple of minutes in Sedona, but certainly not an entire day.
1 ½ STARS
ONE DAY IN SEDONA IS CURRENTLY TOURING THROUGH NORTH AMERICA AND PLAYS NOVEMBER 7TH AT THE SMODCASTLE FILM FESTIVAL.
Written by: Leo Brady
