"One of them days"
By Winston Chu Feb. 12, 2025
As part of the elite 0.5% of SZA (Solána Imani Rowe) listeners worldwide according to my 2024 Spotify Wrapped, I was surprised when I heard about her debut on the silver screen. Yet SZA’s performance in the comedy “One of Them Days,” along with other talented cast members, demonstrates her natural acting abilities as the film’s comedy sparks laughter.
Set in the South Central neighborhood of hectic Los Angeles, the movie follows two best friends—Dreux, played by actress and singer Keke Palmer, and Alyssa, played by SZA—living together in an apartment. On the first of the month, they discover that Alyssa’s boyfriend has stolen their rent money. Dreux, a waitress, and Alyssa, an aspiring artist, do not have the cash they need to avoid eviction, so they spend the movie searching for any way to make the rent money. Their escapades—ranging from donating blood, stealing shoes and even getting involved with gangsters—kept me in a constant state of excitement.
In fact, throughout their journey, the characters constantly encounter original situations that I have never seen in other similar films. Blending in a variety of crazy events, funny puns and hilarious one-liners, the situations are sure to make the audience laugh.
Dreux and Alyssa’s friendship is also completely on point—whether the two are frustrated or happy with each other, their bond remains undeniably constant; through every challenge, they trust each other wholeheartedly. This strong bond ultimately allows them to solve their problems, reminding viewers to maintain positive relationships with those closest to them.
Outside the fictional world of the movie, “One of Them Days” also plays an important role in the real world. Featuring a majority Black cast, producer Issa Rae aims for the film to bring more Black stories to the screen. Additionally, the film was taped in a real Black neighborhood in Los Angeles, allowing Rae to explore the effects of gentrification especially as the neighborhood is facing construction developments for the 2028 Olympics.
Although all the chaotic events in the movie’s timeline occur in a single day, it successfully shares a funny tale in just an hour and a half. Even then, through all the jokes and laughter, “One of Them Days” finishes in what feels like minutes, leaving viewers with nothing but a great time.
showstopper or snoozefest?
(4/5)
hilarious jokes
fresh storyline
unsuitable for young audiences
Winston Chu is a junior at Leland High. This is his second year in Journalism, and his first year as a movie columnist. He enjoys speech and debate, watching television series, and sleeping.
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