One of Them Days (2024) Review: Does This Comedy-Drama Hit the Mark?

One of Them Days brings together the comedic talents of Keke Palmer and SZA in a day-in-the-life buddy comedy that’s both absurd and surprisingly reflective of economic struggles. The film follows best friends and roommates, Dreux and Alyssa, who find themselves scrambling to secure rent money after Alyssa’s boyfriend wastes it on a wildly misguided T-shirt scheme. Given the scarcity of well-made comedies in recent years, One of Them Days has the potential to fill a gaping hole in the current cinematic landscape—at least on paper. So the question is, does it actually deliver on its promise of both laughs and heart?

Below, we’ll dive into the film’s strengths, shortcomings, and everything in between, exploring how it represents a throwback to the 1990s buddy-comedy era, as well as how it resonates with modern audiences. For more information—like detailed movie summaries, quizzes, and external links to other major review sites—you can explore the dedicated page on What’s After the Movie. What’s After the Movie provides comprehensive insights into One of Them Days, much like Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB, or Metacritic, but with added resources such as quizzes and side-by-side comparisons of reviews.

If you’re on the hunt for even more engaging discussions and additional content, head over to the What’s After the Movie blog, where this post will be featured.

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A Quick Glimpse at the Premise

In One of Them Days, we follow Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) over the course of a single, hectic day. After discovering that Alyssa’s unreliable boyfriend, Keshawn, has blown their rent money on a dubious T-shirt line called “Cucci,” these best friends find themselves on the verge of eviction. Their landlord, Uche, demands they come up with $1,500 by the end of the day—a tall order for two people who are already scraping by.

As though eviction weren’t enough of a problem, Dreux also has a high-stakes franchise manager interview that same day, complicating her race to recoup the lost funds. Meanwhile, Alyssa’s spacey optimism collides with the cold reality that the universe isn’t just going to fix their predicament. Thus begins a frantic quest through the streets of Los Angeles that leads them into loan-shark offices, chaotic blood banks, and showdowns with jealous ex-partners. The fiasco is both comedic and nerve-racking, capturing the spirit of living on the financial edge in a city teetering on the brink of gentrification.

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How the Comedy Unfolds

From the first few minutes, the film sets up a frantic tone—each new scene explodes with some unexpected twist, from comedic accidents to bizarre side characters. Director Lawrence Lamont uses a punchy, neon-tinged aesthetic, giving One of Them Days an almost music-video feel in certain sequences. The breakneck pacing can be disorienting at times, but it never loses sight of what matters: making audiences laugh and root for the beleaguered duo.

• Slapstick Shenanigans: Body humor and physical gags take center stage here. Whether it’s a messy run-in at a blood bank or a frantic chase for stolen sneakers, the film is not shy about going all-in on slapstick.
• Countdown Pressure: A ticking-clock device—often in the form of on-screen timestamps—reminds viewers how little time they have left to find the rent money, heightening both the comedy and the stress level.

The comedic heart of One of Them Days thrives on seeing just how many roadblocks Dreux and Alyssa can endure before they break. It’s a real testament to how comedic tension can coexist with real human stakes.

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Characters and Performances

Keke Palmer as Dreux

Keke Palmer’s Dreux exudes a grounded intensity. She’s a go-getter, flipping between exasperation and determination as she juggles her job interview with a desperate mission to save her home. Palmer’s comedic timing shines through in subtle ways, like the quippy remarks she tosses at Alyssa or her dramatic physical reactions to each new crisis.

SZA as Alyssa

In her film debut, SZA plays a character who often prefers trusting the universe over taking concrete action—at least until their entire financial future is in jeopardy. While she initially comes off as the carefree dreamer, Alyssa evolves into someone far more responsible by the film’s conclusion. SZA shows an impressive flair for deadpan humor, balancing Palmer’s more animated style.

Supporting Cast

Berniece (Aziza Scott) and Keshawn (Joshua David Neal) bring extra conflict, each in their own way—Berniece becomes a villain-turned-comic-chaser, while Keshawn remains the clueless spark that sets off the entire fiasco. Cameos by Katt Williams, Lil Rel Howery, and Janelle James pepper the film with over-the-top comedic bits that elevate the already chaotic scenario. Meanwhile, Maude Apatow as the friendly but out-of-place neighbor Bethany adds a comedic touch of naïveté about the challenges faced by those around her.

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Strengths and Shortcomings

Strengths:

• Relatable Core Conflict: With rising rent costs and financial uncertainty often plaguing modern urban dwellers, the “save our home” plotline strikes a chord.
• Engaging Duo: Palmer and SZA share a warm, easy chemistry that makes their banter feel genuine and their conflicts entertaining.
• Steady Tone: Despite periodic tangents, the film stays firmly comedic, never losing track of its breezy, mischievous vibe.

Shortcomings:

• Occasional Overstuffing: There are points where the film’s subplot involving King Lolo, side quests, and random comedic beats feel crammed, possibly diluting the impact of the main storyline.
• Uneven Pacing: While the sense of urgency works overall, some sequences—particularly extended chases—may linger longer than necessary, causing minor drag.
• Lack of Depth for Certain Characters: Some side characters appear so briefly that their motivations or comedic gags come and go without leaving much resonance.

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Comparisons to ’90s Comedies

So many reviews have drawn parallels between One of Them Days and the 1990s buddy-comedy classics like Friday and House Party. Much like those films, this movie packs in:

• Neighborhood Eccentrics: The entire community is portrayed with flamboyant gusto, reflecting the neighborhood’s vibrant culture and quirks.
• A Simple But Effective Premise: Raising a set amount of money under time pressure is reminiscent of classic comedic setups from that era.
• Zeroing in on One Chaotic Day: By compressing the action into 24 hours, One of Them Days captures that same sense of comedic urgency that made ’90s day-in-the-hood flicks so memorable.

Fans of that throwback comedic style will find plenty here to enjoy, from the earnest friendship to the comedic collisions with local personalities.

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A Broader Social Context

One aspect that sets One of Them Days apart is its subtle commentary on gentrification, housing insecurity, and urban survival. References to rising rent, predatory loan agencies, and the looming threat of eviction anchor the laughter in realistic fears. The film’s comedic antics might occasionally overshadow these issues, but they remain woven into the background, adding an undercurrent of societal critique. It’s not heavy-handed, yet it enriches the narrative beyond just frantic entertainment.

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Where to Learn More & Watch

Curious to dive deeper into the film’s behind-the-scenes stories, plot details, and cast interviews? On What’s After the Movie, you’ll discover:

• A comprehensive movie summary with additional context.
• Fun quizzes to test your knowledge of One of Them Days.
• Links to other information providers, including:
  • Metacritic
  • Rotten Tomatoes
  • IMDB
  • TMDB
  • JustWatch
  • Box Office Mojo
  • Wikipedia

If you want to keep the conversation going beyond this review, the What’s After the Movie blog offers more in-depth articles, comparisons to similar comedies, and interviews related to One of Them Days. It’s akin to having a mini film community at your fingertips, providing the same thoroughness you’d expect from a platform like Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic, but with the added bonuses of quizzes and specialized breakdowns.

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Final Verdict

One of Them Days succeeds in generating genuine laughs and heartfelt camaraderie between its leading pair. While the film occasionally teeters on the edge of chaotic overkill, it never loses its sense of fun. Its commentary on financial struggles and gentrification gives the story a contemporary layer, without resorting to overt preaching. If you yearn for a humor-packed throwback featuring two charismatic leads, then One of Them Days will likely be a breath of fresh air among today’s limited array of theatrical comedies.

Though it might not achieve the timelessness of certain ’90s classics, it’s a worthwhile watch for fans of Keke Palmer, SZA, or anyone seeking an energetic spree about friends fighting to save their home—and perhaps their bond, too. Think of it as a spirited modern homage to the day-in-the-hood subgenre: flawed, occasionally messy, yet undeniably entertaining.

If you’ve seen One of Them Days or plan to catch it soon, don’t forget to swing by What’s After the Movie for quizzes, detailed movie rundowns, and lively community discussions. After all, the fun doesn’t have to end once the credits roll—sometimes, it’s just the beginning.