“One of Them Days” is relatable and dynamic because it subverts the traditional Black women’s buddy comedy with powerful, hilarious scenes. This film is written by Syreeta Singleton from Rap Sh!t and Insecure. It also features works by Lawrence Lamont, who makes his debut as a director in this movie.
Keke Palmer and Sza play the leading roles as best friends Dreux and Alyssa, and their chaotic 24-hour adventure is filled with challenges like pesky evictions, dangerous foes, and relentless self-development—all while reminding us of the beauty of their tenacious friendship. Their performances, accentuated by dramatic visuals and endless motion, guarantee that audiences will laugh, cringe, and cheer on the duo at every part of the film’s storyline.
“One of Them Days” Movie Overview
| Movie Title | One of Them Days |
|---|---|
| Director | Lawrence Lamont |
| Screenwriter | Syreeta Singleton |
| Main Cast | Keke Palmer, SZA, Joshua David Neal, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Dewayne Perkins |
| Genre | Comedy, Buddy Adventure |
| Runtime | Approx. 115 minutes |
| Release Date | January 25, 2025 |
| Setting | Los Angeles, “The Jungle” Apartment Complex |
| Plot Premise | Two best friends scramble to save their home from eviction while facing personal and external challenges. |
A Tale of Chaos, Friendship, and Resilience
In One of Them Days, it is Dreux and Alyssa’s chemistry that gives the film its heartbeat. While Dreux is a driven and aspirational waitress, Alyssa is a carefree and spontaneous artist. These two completely opposing characters and their interactions create a unique comedic and heartfelt blend that is modern, yet reminiscent of timeless classic duos.
Dreux and Alyssa’s lives take a turn when their unreliable friend Keshawn spends their rent money on a dare I say, ‘questionable’ T-shirt business. This forces Dreux and Alyssa into a 24-hour insane chase across the city. From bloodsucking loan sharks to illegal blood transfusion centres to outlandish neighbourhood characters, their journey is filled with both heartwarming and hilarious pockets of nostalgia.
Characters That Feel Like Home
Through Singleton’s script, “The Jungle,” which is a fictional apartment complex in LA, comes to life. Multi-talented phone jailbreaker and hair braider who’s often called unreliable is also depicted as Jameel Dewayne Perkins. Mama Ruth, known as Vanessa Bell Calloway, is an aunt to the family and plays the role of a loving, nurturing aunt. Other characters played by Katt Williams and Lil Rel Howery serve as stand-up comedians; although they fulfil their roles, sometimes they do so too overzealously.
Performances That Steal the Show
As Dreux, Keke Palmer’s slapstick charm combined with her comedic and tearful moments is what truly shines through. In her acting debut as Alyssa, SZA manages to remind everyone that she can do more than just music – she can clearly act as well, owing to her natural charm paired with her amusing international style. The chemistry Palmer and SZA shared brought life to the heart of the story’s friendship, which was beautifully messy.
The Visual and Narrative Style
The touch of Lawrence Lamont brings the movie’s visuals to life, giving it a great retro feel which complements the chaotic nature of the story. The story is quite fast-paced and the fights within the movie capture the desperate situation Dreux and Alyssa find themselves in, gripping viewers throughout the runtime.
The humour mostly works well but there are times the jokes are exaggerated and feel out of context. All of the comedy in the film may not work well, but it is filled with great story and emotions which makes it stand out.
Final Words
One of Them Days brilliantly showcases the ups and downs of life’s battles and unforeseen issues through the perspective of a bounded friendship. With both Keke Palmer and SZA’s remarkable performances, powerful script, and vivid cinematography, the film showcases a myriad of emotions. Though not flawless, the laughable and sentimental aspects make One of Them Days an outstanding character-driven comedy film.
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