In the buddy-comedy One Of Them Days, Keke Palmer (Dreaux) and SZA (Alyssa) are two longtime roommates who are on a quest for cash to pay rent in their nearly unlivable apartment before an immediate eviction. The film chronicles their day as the pair leans on their friendship, almost ripped apart by the seemingly neverending, unfortunate but hilarious obstacles that pop up as they’re on the clock set by their slumlord Uche (Rizi Timane).
Set in Los Angeles, the movie is reminiscent of the film Friday in the storyline, costuming such as the cool blue plaid flannel sported by Palmer’s character Dreaux, and additional intentional respect to the 1995 Ice Cube classic.
“This kind of homage to Craig and Friday, she’s done a lot of fun stuff like that because there are elements of nostalgia to this, but still it has its own modern flair,” explained Palmer to Teen Vogue of the work done by wardrobe designer Kairo Courts.
Despite the influence, however, it stands on its own with endless laughs, highlighting not only Palmer’s star power and commanding talent but also SZA’s ability to not be diminished under the spotlight.
Incorporating messages about the importance of community, the realities of gentrification, the quest for financial freedom, and the depth of Black girl friendship and sisterhood, One Of Them Days explores a handful of heavy topics without seriousness. And it works. The messages are not lost in the a** whooping the ladies take from Big Booty Berniece, or when Alyssa is electrocuted and falls from a light pole.
Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ONE OF THEM DAYS
Anne Marie Fox
“I’ve seen a lot of buddy comedies or comedies in general where [it’s just] funny, crazy, off the rails, high jinks galore, and then the movie ends,” explained director Lawrence Lamont to The Fader.
“For this one, I wanted to make sure we really had our heartfelt moments, because we are laughing and cracking jokes, and it’s a comedy about very serious circumstances. I wanted to make sure that the heart really shined and was at the forefront. So it’s not just just a comedy with no stakes or no payoff at the end, not to say that those films that you named don’t have those, but sometimes we can see films, especially Black comedies that are just crazy, and they end. I wanted to make sure that there was some heart in this and some soul and some hope, outside of all the high jinks.”
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 08: Lawrence Lamont attends a screening of “One Of Them Days” at Regal Atlantic Station on January 08, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Sony)
In the end, “the motherf**king universe” slick saved the day.
One Of Them Days, due in theaters on Friday (Jan. 17) is written by Syreeta Singleton and produced by Issa Rae. If you’re still not convinced, take a look below for five reasons this comedy should be on your radar.
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Keke Palmer Is Perfect
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Keke Palmer is not new to the big screen and her experience shows. In One Of Them Days, she effortlessly leads as the head-strong Dreaux who stands by her bestie for better or worse. Her performance is lighthearted, and not overbearing, balancing the silliness and seriousness of Dreaux who often thinks for both her and Alyssa planning out their short-term and long-term future. Her charisma shines brilliantly with key comedic timing in both body language and line delivery.
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SZA Shines On Screen
Image Credit: Sony Pictures SZA does her big one as Alyssa. Despite it being her first film and standing next to industry veterans like Keke Palmer, the R&B singer fits naturally on the silver screen. Her character with artsy dreams, a free spirit, and an unfortunate attachment to f**k boys, almost seems like it was built from a combination of her hit songs and fan-favorite deep cuts, maybe empowering her acting abilities. Either way, hopefully, this is not the last time the 35-year-old decides to explore her acting talents.
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The Supporting Cast
Image Credit: Chad Salvador/Variety via Getty Images While Keke Palmer and SZA take the lead, the supporting cast adds their unique talents to create memorable moments in their individual scenes. Katt Williams makes an appearance as Lucky, a homeless man, warning the girls of the dangers of predatory check-cashing companies. Vanessa Bell Calloway serves as Mama Ruth, the neighborhood candy lady, and affectionate, figurative auntie to the duo. Janelle James is Ruth, an unintentionally hilarious former stripper turned phlebotomist. Lil Rel Howery, DomiNique Perry, Joshua David Neal, Amin Joseph, Dewayne Perkins, and Gabrielle Dennis all fill-out the colorful cast.
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Los Angeles Love
Image Credit: Anne Marie Fox) Los Angeles serves as Dreaux and Alyssa’s playground and the film made sure to incorporate elements that natives, transplants, and all audiences can appreciate. Elements featured in the film include the girls living in The Jungles, Big Boy’s Neighborhood radio show, 310Babii’s 2023 breakout “Soak City,” and a glimpse of the legendary Lemeirt Park where a portrait of Sika Dwimfo, the widely recognized “Godfather” of the neighborhood who passed away last year, is on display front and center.
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So We Can Have More
This point is a little selfish due to my own desire for more nonsensical comedies with characters who I can relate to. However, for additional films of this nature to get theatrical releases, One Of Them Days needs support at the box office. No deep dive is necessary to recognize that there are not that many buddy comedy films led by Black women, telling Black stories in existence, especially in recent years, let alone a new original comedy that is not a reboot, spinoff, or continuing a franchise.
According to Ebony Magazine, the film took six years to get on screen, with Palmer detailing, “We don’t have people spearheading these films, and that’s the reason why we need them. I’ve been in the industry for 20 years… Issa Rae, she’s the people that we need that have success, can say this is important and has the data to prove why it’s important to get it done.”
Speaking to HuffPost, Rae explained,” There is a pressure for it to be successful so that studios and the industry can always do that thing where it’s like, ‘Oh, Black people wanna see this. Oh, women are coming to movies,’” continuing, “We need to make more of this. This is just a good, fun, funny time. And we want people to be able to go bring their friends, bring your man, whoever, to the theater and just laugh out loud. It means a lot that this is in theaters because this doesn’t happen for us often.”
Take a look above for a preview of One Of Them Days and catch the film in theaters.
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