Director Lawrence Lamont teams up with Syreeta Singleton , a screenwriter on the hit series Insecure . Together the two crafted a comedy built around friendship, love, community, determination and the scramble to get rent money to the landlord on time.
“One of Them Days” features Keke Palmer and SZA playing two best friends, Dreux and Alyssa, who are trying to navigate their friendship while struggling financially and attempting to avoid eviction.
The film follows the familiar young-adult comedy pairing: two best friends and roommates trying to get by, juggling tough relationships and dreaming of making it big.
“One of Them Days” brings in several famous Black movie stars, including Kat Williams as a friendly homeless man familiar to the neighborhood, Janelle James as a blood doctor who helps Dreux earn a little pocket money, and Lil Rey Howery as a con artist who swindles them out of $1,000.
Every one of these hilariously distinct characters plays a key part in Dreux and Alyssa's quest to scrape together their rent.
The story kicks off when Alyssa's boyfriend, Keshawn (Joshua David Neal), takes off with their rent money to launch a clothing brand.
Dreux and Alyssa then hatch a series of schemes to raise $1,500 by 6 p.m. for rent before they get evicted. Each plan turns out crazier and more disastrous than the last. Their “don't mess with us” energy pulls them into thrilling, risky situations that ultimately land them right where they need to be.
Dreux is driven and punctual, convinced that success requires a plan, while Alyssa is a free spirit who trusts the universe to sort things out for them. Those clashing outlooks make the best friends butt heads during their tougher moments.
By the end, friendship and determination win out, and Dreux and Alyssa succeed despite every trial along the way, proving the film's central theme once more: friendship conquers all.
Overall, I give this movie a 10/10. Every character performs their part effortlessly and with real flair, and the cast shares an undeniable chemistry that keeps the film flowing smoothly. Add in countless hilarious scenes and characters, and the movie feels unique and genuinely fun to watch.
