'I went to see SZA's new comedy and I've never laughed so much in a cinema'

Yahoo

08-03-2025

When was the last time you had a proper giggle at the cinema? For me, it was just last night, all thanks to Keke Palmer's latest flick.
It's well known that the Disney and Nickelodeon alum can tickle our funny bones, but I've never laughed so hard during a film.
Honestly, I would have put my laughter down to being in good spirits if it wasn't for the rest of the cinema joining in - full-on belly laughs at every punchline.
Directed by Lawrence Lamont, One of Them Days hit UK screens on Friday (March 7), following a successful premiere in the USA this January.
The buddy-comedy centres on flatmates and BFFs Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), who find out that Alyssa's good-for-nothing boyfriend, Keshawn (Joshua David Neale), has blown their rent money on his latest hare-brained scheme.
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The pair are then in a race against time to scrape together the missing $1,500 before the day is out, leading them into a series of side-splitting situations. In one instance, they unwittingly flog a local gangster's vintage Air Jordan trainers, only for him to discover their mistake and demand a cool $5,000, reports the Daily Star.
Another scene that had me howling sees the duo trying to secure a loan. On the doorstep of the loan company, they encounter Lucky (Katt Williams), a homeless man with a disdain for the system, who gives them a stark warning: "Don't do it. It's a trap. If you don't have the money this month, you're not going to have it next month."
Despite Lucky's best attempts, Dreux and Alyssa press on with their scheme, convinced they've cracked the code to their predicament. However, there's a snag: their credit scores, even combined, fall woefully short of the mark needed for a loan.
The cashier dealing with their application can't help but dissolve into fits of laughter as she tries to explain their situation, making for a hilarious scene. It's worth noting that this comedy of errors unfolds on the same day Dreux has a crucial job interview lined up for a better-paid position, so the pressure is mounting.
Fans of buddy flicks might spot similarities with Ice Cube's early '90s Friday series. These popular comedies, which coined phrases like 'Bye Felicia', share the same race-against-time format seen in One of Them Days.
Friday also takes place in Los Angeles and centres around two main characters. But One of Them Days is as much a nod to its cherished predecessors as it is a breath of fresh air, mainly because it stars two women.
The buddy movie genre is largely dominated by films about two male characters embarking on a comedic quest. Unfortunately, female-led buddy comedies are few and far between.
A recent addition to this sub-genre is Olivia Wilde's Booksmart, which viewers have likened to Superbad, another well-loved buddy film.
The 2019 dramedy was a hit, satisfying cinema-goers' craving for female-led comedic friendships on the silver screen. One of Them Days follows suit, making a compelling argument for more women-centric buddy comedies, especially those led by women of colour.
In its 95-minute runtime, the comedy explores everything from Black women's struggles climbing the corporate ladder to gentrification, and stereotypes that Black men face.
All of this social commentary is wrapped up in sharp writing and jokes that landed every single time.
Through Dreux and Alyssa's messy quest to raise $1,500, One of Them Days proves that we need more Black women at the front of the buddy film sub-genre — how else would we discover girls' night recipes like the Hot Cheeto martini?
One of Them Days is in cinemas now.