ONE OF THEM DAYS is a 2025 comedy written by Syreeta Singleton, directed by Lawrence Lamont, and starring Keke Palmer and SZA.
This film is truly, so hilarious. I saw it on a Friday afternoon at a 2:00 pm showing, and the audience consisted of me and one other 80-year-old woman. I don’t think that was the intended audience to see it with, but I loved it nonetheless. I thought the script and fired-up performances from Palmer and SZA were fantastic. Not a single moment goes unchecked, and everything ties together perfectly. It was funny stressful, and well crafted.
The whole cast was perfect. First off, the chemistry between Keke Palmer and SZA was perfection. Both were hysterical. Keke Palmer is a treasure, and SZA did terrific in her debut role in acting. Their comedic timing was impeccable. Aziza Scott as Berniece was perfect because every time she was on screen, I just wanted someone to run her over!! Truly a Dolores Umbridge situation of a character that plays their role so well you love to hate them. As the new white neighbor, Maude Apatow was also a stellar addition. There were so many great interactions between her and the other tenants, such as Vanessa Bell Calloway as Mama Ruth, Dewayne Perkins as Jameel, DomiNque Perry as Shameeka, and Janelle James as Ruby.
The script is well done and utilizes many callbacks and running gags, some of my favorite plot devices. I expected it to be funny and get some good laughs, but I thought the jokes and timing were perfect. My one criticism is something we see pretty often nowadays: Many of the best jokes were used in the trailer. But I will forgive this because they fit in really well and are a lot funnier when told with the whole story.
The costumes and sets were great, and I hope this movie has a rebirth over the Summer. It’s too high quality of a film for a January release but not entirely perfected enough to be a Summer blockbuster. The vibes and overall aesthetic were there, though, and it feels like a movie you would watch with your best friend in shorts and a swimsuit top with all the windows in your house open and eating a bomb pop.
ONE OF THEM DAYS is a counterpart of another huge renaissance we’ve seen in media lately, the return of a 90’s hip-hop feel. I attribute this to being led by an artist, Doechii, when she released her song DENIAL IS A RIVER, and if you like that song, you will LOVE this film and vice versa. The film is fun, it knows what it’s supposed to be, there are some great laughs and pretty satisfying moments. I highly recommend watching it, even if it is just you and one other senior citizen (who I hoped loved the film just as much as I did).
ONE OF THEM DAYS is playing in theaters everywhere (as of 01/20).
