One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and singer-songwriter SZA, debuted in theaters on January 17th. After a thieving boyfriend steals their rent money, One of Them Days follows best friends Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) as they clamber against eviction to gather money to pay their no-nonsense landlord. The duo face repeated trials and tribulations. From drama with Alyssa’s ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, to an altercation with the neighborhood’s ruthless gang, misfortune and satire dutifully follow the pair.
Conjuring an impressive crowd, the comedy film sits at number two at the box office, grossing more than $11 million in its opening weekend. Throughout its ninety-minute run time, the film introduces a wide variety of humor; yet, One of Them Days still manages to end on a satisfying, thoughtful note—leaving no loose ends untied. Acting as SZA’s big screen debut, the film highlights the talents of industry veteran Keke Palmer and the theatrical promise of SZA. Artfully blending a simple, yet purposeful storyline with a wildly hilarious and witty script, One of Them Days proves to be a revolutionarily clever comedy film, coming in at an impressive five-out-of-five Falcon Stars.
Dreux, who works as a waitress at a diner chain, wins the hearts of the audience immediately. Portrayed by Palmer, Dreux hopes to earn a promotion, from waitress to franchise manager, and ultimately she manages to secure an interview. Feeling like her life has finally turned for the better, with promises of stability and routine, Dreux returns home to her best friend Alyssa and Alyssa’s boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal).
Dreux and Alyssa, sharing beautiful, quippy on-screen chemistry, are baffled to find out Keshawn had fled their apartment with their rent money, investing it in his knockoff GUCCI brand. With seven hours to scrounge up $1,500, the pair find themselves everywhere from the loan office and the top of a utility pole, to hiding from the man Dreux’s been flirting with.
From start to finish, the film leaves no stone unturned. An absurd amount of minute subplots are introduced, with Dreux and Alyssa fervently running from one to the next. Yet One of Them Days shocks us all, with every character and diminutive detail you’d overlook proving to be crucial. Not to mention the humorous, endearing relationships that the film portrays, almost transcending One of Them Day’s comedic performance. The incredibly versatile script incorporates a plethora of punchlines, from dry humor to Dreux and Alyssa’s blood bank incident, the film is sure to have the audience hooked and hysterical from the beginning. As a side note, if not for One of Them Day’s unique, comprehensive, and hilarious plot and characters, the film is a must-watch simply because of its stellar visual craftsmanship.
Guaranteed to make even the most grouchy movie-goer crack a smile, the theater was littered with plentiful laughter, from deep baritones to lighter snickers. One of Them Days is a beautiful example of comedy done well—a film that’s beyond worthy of paying today’s absurd ticket prices.
This article also appears in our February 2025 print edition.
