What’s It About
When best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
“One of Them Days” feels like a female version of “Friday” mixed with “House Party” – it’s basically a millennial update of those classics. While those movies shaped the 90s, this one captures today’s young adult struggles in the same lighthearted way. Like how “Friday” showed love to Compton, this movie celebrates Crenshaw, bringing the neighborhood to life through both its funny and real moments. The story follows best friends Alyssa (SZA) and Dreux (Keke Palmer), who share a modest apartment and work minimum wage jobs while trying to chase their dreams. Their world turns upside down when their unofficial roommate Keshawn blows their rent money on a sketchy investment and turns out to be cheating. Now they’ve got less than 10 hours to get the cash together, leading to a wild day that tests their friendship. Anyone who’s ever had that roommate who never pays on time and whose boyfriend practically lives there eating all the food will totally get where these characters are coming from. Palmer and SZA’s chemistry really makes the movie work – they feel like friends you’d want to hang out with. Palmer nails it as Dreux, the responsible friend who always makes plans and sticks to them, bringing both perfect comic timing and genuine emotion to the role. In her first big acting role, SZA brings a natural humor to Alyssa, playing that friend we all love but who stresses us out. Her performance never feels forced, which helps make Alyssa likable even when she’s messing up. Joshua David Neal (known for his TikTok and Instagram skits) holds his own as Keshawn, proving he’s got what it takes to move from social media to the big screen. The movie unfolds through funny little scenes that keep things moving, each one building on the last without dragging on too long. The supporting cast really shines, with great side characters played by Janelle James, Katt Williams, and Keyla Monterroso Mejia who pop up throughout the day with their larger-than-life personalities. Williams especially shines as Lucky, a homeless guy who keeps trying to give the girls advice they never take, adding both humor and a touch of wisdom to their adventure. Like other Issa Rae productions, the movie digs deep into friendship between Black women, though some viewers might get frustrated with how Alyssa keeps messing things up for Dreux and doesn’t really face consequences. It’s a pattern in Rae’s shows – one friend (like Molly in “Insecure”) causes problems and doesn’t fully own up to it. This brings up interesting questions about friendship dynamics and forgiveness, even if the resolution feels a bit too easy. Director Lawrence Lamont brings fresh energy from his background directing music videos for J. Cole and Twenty 88, plus his work on HBO’s “Rap Sh!t.” His hip-hop influences show up in the movie’s style and pacing, while he makes sure the women’s story stays front and center. The movie pulls off something tricky – it feels specific to young women of color while still being relatable to anyone who’s ever struggled with friendship, money problems, or trying to make it in the world. The film really gets what it means to be in your twenties today – dealing with dead-end jobs, unreliable roommates, and the constant hustle to get ahead. Alyssa’s story hits especially hard as she keeps working towards better opportunities that never seem to pan out, something many millennials will recognize. Through all the ups and downs, the movie shows how friendship can help you survive the rough patches, even when your friend is part of the problem. Despite its flaws, “One of Them Days” succeeds as a fun buddy comedy with just enough raunch and heart to keep you invested. It shows how opposites can bring out the best in each other – the planner (Dreux) and the wild card (Alyssa) – while giving us plenty of laughs along the way. The movie reminds us that sometimes the worst days bring out the best in friendships, even if the path getting there is messier than we’d like.
OUR RATING – A THROWBACK 7