“One of Them Days” is a Revival of Upcoming Comedies

“One of Them Days” (directed by Lawrence Lamont) came out on Netflix on January 17, 2025, and has been well-received by both critics and audience members. It is joyfully infectious, and hilarious while balancing the down to earth moments that touch young people’s hearts through tasteful relatability. “Rap Sh!t” showrunner Syreeta Singleton took the liberty of writing a comedic film that embraces friendship and humor, while skillfully crafting contrasting personalities that beam light. The film starring KeKe Palmer and SZA is a Gen Z comedy done right.

Keke Palmer and SZA lead the screen with wit and charm, playing roommates, Dreux and Alyssa

Keke Palmer plays Dreux, a driven planner who finds solace in gaining control, while SZA makes her acting debut playing Alyssa, a starry-eyed spirit who floats through life with manifestation and trust in the universe. Dreux and Alyssa are in a tight bind as Alyssa’s boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) promises to handle their rent, but blows all of the money starting a T-Shirt line. On top of that, they discover that he has secretly been seeing another woman named Berniece (Aziza Scott), betraying Alyssa. The best friends have one day to come up with $1,500 by the end of the day or else they will face eviction.

In their first attempt at obtaining these funds, Dreux and Alyssa turn to a loan officer but are approached by an unlikely stranger, Lucky, played by charismatic Katt Williams warning them of the dangers of not paying loans back. The loan officer rejects them, pointing to Dreux’s low credit score and Alyssa’s nonexistent income. The duo jump through many hoops and resort to desperation, from donating four bags of blood, climbing up a landline to retrieve Air Jordans, and selling them to The Buyer (Lil Rel Howery), while running into trouble with the law.

Paying rent and struggling with keeping up with bills is a plot geared towards lower to working class families, as well as young people living on their own for the first time. This content of storytelling has been lost in the last few years in film with writers and filmmakers focusing more on the dialogue in search for connection. “One of Them Days” could very well be a revival of these comedies, making light on day-to-day problems that audiences can easily find relatability with.

Dreux and Alyssa’s friendship is tested as the two come up and try absurd things to make their rent on time. With the two already being very different from each other, it makes problem solving difficult, but entertaining for the audience as their bickers and antics make for hilarious moments. This witty humor and entertaining dynamic is all thanks to Keke Palmer and SZA’s performances and electrifying chemistry with one another. By themselves, they are already captivating to watch on the screen, but together they are a force of comedic genius. Their friendship feels so real between their quick wit bouncing off one another, and their clear love and adoration that makes you root for them.

"One of Them Days" is available to stream on Netflix.

Although there are clear tensions and frustrations between Dreux and Alyssa, the film displays these tensions in their character differences rather than pointing the generic right or wrong. Framing an on screen friendship with this profound perspective is authentic toward differences in real life friendships, and removes itself from the narrative that friendships can only work if there is the only agreement between two people. It also validates confrontation, and how having hard conversations can lead to a deeper connection.

“One of Them Days” captures authenticity and reliability by showing us real people in a dramatized situation, based on real economic struggles. It is nothing short of amusing and provides escapism in laughter.