“Dreux” (Keke Palmer) is a popular waitress in a diner who comes home to discover that her loved-up roomie “Alyssa” (SZA) has managed to give the rent money to her flakey but very well endowed boyfriend “Keshawn” (Joshua David Neal) who has gone and bought some acrylic T-shirts with it. The landlord is a ruthless fellow who wants his cash or else they are out so now they have less than a day to raise the $1,500 and when they can’t even get a payday loan, have to think on their feet! What now ensues is really nothing original and follows the usual will they, won’t they get the money and/or have a row in the process. Will their lifelong friendship endure the dopiness of “Alyssa”? Oh, and there’s also the hunky but enigmatic “Maniac” (Patrick Cage) to keep some sense of mystery bubbling along for a “Dreux” who also has a job interview to fit into all this freneticism too! The script has it’s moments, but there just weren’t enough of them as they constantly managed to go from frying pan to fire and aside from a ballsy effort from Kayla Mejia having a giggle at their credit scores and from Morgan Peter Brown’s sagely but homeless “Norman” pointing out that a 1900% APR is not a good thing, then the rest of this just comes home to momma. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood, but this is just another mediocre American buddy movie than I will never remember.

It is delightful to come across a comedy that not only delivers laughs, but also builds a heartfelt, relatable story. Director Lawrence Lamont‘s “One of Them Days” is exactly that kind of film. This female buddy comedy for the modern era takes you on a whirlwind of misadventures and friendship, and it’s so much better than I expected precisely because it’s nothing like I expected. This very funny and spirited movie is a blast from start to finish. Anchored by two extremely charismatic leads, the film tells the story of roommates and besties Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), two thirtysomethings doing the best they can to make a living in Los Angeles. After the young women discover that Alyssa’s deadbeat boyfriend Keshawn has run off with their rent money, they must trek through the city to try to track down the cash so they can save their home. What ensues is a chaotic day filled with hilarious mishaps, an escalating series of very unfortunate events, and run-ins with a menagerie of human stumbling blocks that include a predatory payday loan clerk (Keyla Monterroso Mejia), a comically sinister bully (Aziza Scott), a new white girl hipster neighbor (Maude Apatow), and highly dangerous local criminal, King Lolo (Amin Joseph). The screenplay works so well because it’s funny yet often thoughtful, and writer Syreeta Singleton has created two female characters with genuine substance. There are wacky misfortunes along the way, but none of them overshadows the central friendship that anchors the story. What could’ve been a raunchy, over-the-top comedy turns out to be a heartfelt, hilarious story about friendship and getting through the worst day ever. Palmer (who brings her trademark energy and wit) and SZA (offering an understated, “everygirl” charm) are perfectly cast here, and they have a terrific chemistry that feels effortless. These actors and their characters are extremely charismatic, and their dynamic is the driving force of the film. Their banter feels real, their bond is solid, and honestly, they’re just a blast to watch. Dreux and Alyssa are more than just funny sidekicks; they feel like actual people with real depth, which makes it so easy to root for them the whole way through. What also makes the film stand out is how it balances universal themes of friendship and perseverance with a focus on an often underserved audience: young women of color. The film celebrates their experiences without turning them into stereotypes, offering instead a fun and meaningful narrative that anyone can relate to. It’s a testament to the filmmakers that they managed to craft a story that feels both specific yet also highly relatable to everyone. What’s refreshing here is that the film leans into a more thoughtful and fun story of friendship rather than deteriorating into a throwaway, gross-out adult comedy. There are plenty of funny and outrageous moments, but they never feel mean-spirited or over-the-top. Instead, the humor is grounded, relatable, and often driven by the absurdity of everyday life spiraling out of control. While the movie is largely lighthearted, I do think I should offer this trigger warning (SPOILER ALERT): there’s a scene involving a home fire in Los Angeles, which may hit a little too close to home given the current situation in California. It’s unfortunate timing, but this aspect of the story isn’t played for laughs and doesn’t derail the overall tone of the film. From its feel-good story with heart, inspired humor that’s never cheap or mean, oodles of charm, and great characters, “One of Them Days” is a movie that has it all. This is a highly entertaining film that offers a super fun, fresh take on the female buddy comedy. By: Louisa Moore/ SCREEN ZEALOTS