One of Them Days (2025) – Full Movie Review, Story, Cast, Box Office, Themes & More

Introduction

"One of Them Days" is a fresh, high-energy buddy comedy released in 2025 that combines urban grit with laugh-out-loud moments and emotional depth. Directed by Lawrence Lamont and penned by Syreeta Singleton, the film stars Keke Palmer and SZA as two best friends navigating a whirlwind of chaos in Los Angeles after their rent money goes missing. With an engaging mix of streetwise hustle, female friendship, and pop culture references, the movie offers a bold, timely take on millennial survival and sisterhood.

Plot Summary

Set in Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles, the story follows Dreux (Keke Palmer), a responsible, ambitious woman, and Alyssa (SZA), her dreamy, artistic roommate. Their world turns upside down when Alyssa’s dodgy boyfriend, Keshawn, loses their rent money on a cryptocurrency scheme. With just one day to come up with $1,500 to avoid eviction, the two women embark on a wild ride across the city.

From odd jobs to borrowing money, dodging shady characters, getting into absurd situations, and even setting up an impromptu art show, Dreux and Alyssa do everything they can to save their apartment. Along the way, they encounter colorful locals, each adding flavor to their misadventures. At the heart of it all is the strong bond between two women determined not to let the world crush their spirit.

Cast and Performances

• Keke Palmer as Dreux: A powerhouse performance. Palmer brings charm, comedic finesse, and emotional depth to her role, carrying the film with confidence.

• SZA as Alyssa: Making her acting debut, SZA is a natural. Her role as the dreamy, free-spirited roommate is endearing and believable, showcasing her range beyond music.

• Katt Williams as Lucky: As the eccentric and insightful neighborhood wanderer, Williams brings wisdom wrapped in wit—his scenes are among the most memorable.

• Melvin Gregg as Keshawn: A hilarious yet frustrating portrayal of the irresponsible boyfriend whose poor choices kick off the chaos.

Direction and Screenplay

Director Lawrence Lamont infuses the film with kinetic energy, blending sharp visuals with fast-paced humor. The screenplay by Syreeta Singleton is punchy, relatable, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments. The film cleverly balances slapstick comedy with serious undertones about economic pressure and community.

Cinematography and Visuals

The cinematography captures the vibrancy and realness of Baldwin Hills. From neon-lit night shots to handheld chase sequences, the visuals keep the audience immersed in the LA streetscape. The visual style mixes realism with surreal flourishes, especially during Alyssa’s artistic dream sequences.

Soundtrack

Curated with a modern, urban vibe, the soundtrack features tracks from up-and-coming Black artists, SZA’s own music, and genre-blending beats. Music is woven into the story as a mood-enhancer and narrative driver, especially during the art show climax.

Major Themes

1. Friendship and Loyalty

At its core, this is a film about sisterhood. Dreux and Alyssa’s friendship is tested and ultimately strengthened through shared struggle.

2. Economic Survival

The pressure of rising rent and hustle culture reflects the real struggles faced by many millennials and Gen Zs living paycheck to paycheck.

3. Creativity as Liberation

Art is Alyssa’s weapon of choice. Her creativity becomes a way out—not just financially, but emotionally.

4. Urban Community Life

The movie celebrates Black urban culture through its colorful side characters and authentic LA neighborhoods.

Box Office Performance

"One of Them Days" opened to strong numbers, earning $18 million in its first weekend. Its total domestic gross reached $50 million within the first month, with a solid international following growing via streaming platforms. With a modest production budget of $14 million, it has proven to be both a critical and commercial success.

Audience Reception

Audiences have embraced the film for its humor, relatability, and heartfelt story. Social media lit up with praise for Palmer and SZA’s chemistry, with many calling it the best on-screen female friendship in years. Fan art, TikToks, and memes exploded online, further propelling the film's popularity.

Critical Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: 93% Fresh rating

• IMDb: 7.8/10 average

• Metacritic: 76/100

Critics hailed the film as a breakout for both Lamont and SZA, while praising Palmer’s nuanced lead performance. The film was also praised for revitalizing the buddy comedy genre with a modern, Black-female-led twist.

Behind-the-Scenes & Trivia

• The film was shot entirely on location in LA over 30 days.

• Many of the extras were real local artists and residents.

• The final art show scene was partially improvised.

• Katt Williams’ monologue was unscripted and filmed in one take.

• SZA was involved in writing the song featured during the climax.

SEO-Optimized Keywords

• One of Them Days 2025 full movie review

• Keke Palmer 2025 comedy

• SZA acting debut movie

• Urban buddy comedy 2025

• Lawrence Lamont movie review

• Black female-led comedies

• Best friendship movies 2025

• Netflix comedy movies 2025

• Rent hustle comedy movie

• Katt Williams One of Them Days

Final Verdict

"One of Them Days" is a raw, funny, and empowering ride through one wild day in LA. It’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the unbreakable bond of friendship. Keke Palmer delivers one of her best performances to date, while SZA proves she’s got the acting chops to match her musical genius.

Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the heart, or the cultural commentary, this film delivers on all fronts. A must-watch for 2025 and a milestone for modern urban comedies.

---

Stay tuned for our next in-depth review of "Alpha (2025)"!