Watch “One of Them Days” for a Lot of Laughs

Have you ever had a day where everything that could possibly go wrong in fact did go wrong? Well it could have been a lot worse and after watching this movie, you will consider yourself lucky that it wasn’t.

“One of Them Days” is the perfect addition to a girls night in and a great way to laugh at the end of a crappy day. 

This movie claims the first screen appearance of the popular singer-songwriter SZA, who’s song “Kill Bill” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2023. SZA’s co-star Keke Palmer is more than a triple threat, known for her acting, singing, dancing, activism, podcasts, and social media presence. 

Recently I have not been able to go a whole drive without hearing a Spotify ad for “One of Them Days.” After first airing in theaters back in January, the movie was released for streaming on Netflix on March 31. 

I watched this movie during a sleepover with my best friend. “We need to watch ‘One of Them Days,’” she said, “because I’ve heard people talk about it and need to know if it’s good.” So grab a friend, get on Netflix, and get ready to cry because you’ll be laughing so hard.

SZA’s character Alyssa and Palmer’s character Dreux are roommates and best friends. After Alyssa entrusts her freeloader boyfriend with the delivery of her and Dreux’s rent money, the pair must scramble to find $1500 after he spends it. The stars are not aligning in their favor, which is apparent almost immediately when they visit a loan establishment where Dreux observes, “Interest rates? Damn, I thought that was the year of establishment.” 

The pair quite literally search high and low resulting in Alyssa climbing a telephone pole to retrieve a pair of vintage Nike sneakers that just happened to belong to a violent gang leader … and are now sold. These two women will have each other’s backs until the day they die … they just hope it doesn’t come too soon. 

If you’re not familiar with her background, it would be impossible to know that this was SZA’s screen debut. For the entire 97 minutes of the movie, she commands the audience's attention with her vivacious personality and sparkling sense of humor. 

Palmer, meanwhile, earned recognition for her role as Akeelah Anderson in “Akeelah and the Bee.” She also is well known in social media for having a strong sense of self and glowing confidence. These qualities show in her portrayal of Alyssa, a character that is determined to make a name for herself and does not let an unfortunate day make her lose sight of her goals and positive outlook on life. 

Fellow reviewers feel similarly that the stars of the film shine. In the The New York Times Natalia Winkelman gives credit to both actresses for bringing life to the writer (Lawrence Lamont) and director's (Syreeta Singleton) vision. Winkelman writes, “Lamont and Singleton effortlessly mix the silly with the sincere, and although ‘One of Them Days’ favors razzing over heart-to-hearts, our belief in this pairing never wavers. For that, hats off to SZA and especially Palmer, who lights up the screen with starry zeal.”

What makes this movie memorable is the lighthearted and joyful feeling it leaves you with. I often start a movie, especially one that has received a lot of hype, thinking that the plot is going to be dumb. I now know that’s not always a bad thing. Life can feel repetitive and stupid at times and if I’ve learned anything watching this, it’s not to take yourself too seriously.

During an interview with the Student Edge based in Australia, Palmer was asked how she made the film so relatable and brought the energy of a young person to the screen.

 “This stuff is already crazy so I don't have to make it crazier,” she said. “I just have to live in the reality of it and that’s the comedy, that’s what resonates the most. It’s like damn, that is insane.” 

Overall it is not surprising that “One of Them Days” grossed over $51 million at the box office. It is full of life, spirit, and laughter and should not be skipped over. This movie pairs perfectly with no money in your wallet and a best friend. 

At a Glance:

ONE OF THEM DAYS

Starring: Keke Palmer, SZA

Summary: Two best friends race against the clock to save themselves from eviction and a vengeful gang leader. 

Rated: R for language throughout, sexual material, and brief drug use 

Now showing on: Netflix