“Superbad,” “Friday,” “22 Jump Street.” These films are renowned as some of the greatest comedies of all time, and joining their ranks is “One of Them Days.”

While “One of Them Days” is a recent release, it has all of the qualities of a classic comedy that would have been received just as well 20 years ago as it was in the modern day. It uses timeless humor that does not rely on any prominent aspects of a specific period, which helps avoid immediately dating the film, which many modern films seem to do.

The film follows best friends/roommates Dreux and Alyssa, portrayed by Keke Palmer and Sza, who find themselves on a time crunch to acquire their rent money after Alyssa’s boyfriend Keshawn spends it all and get Dreux to a job interview that could completely change their lives and living situation. This time restraint makes the plot feel more suspenseful and stressful.

The friends find themselves doing almost anything to acquire cash, leading them to many outlandish adventures across the course of the film, creating a story that perfectly merges comedy and drama.

Sza and Keke Palmer’s passion for this project is evident when watching. Every time the two are on screen together they deliver some of the most comedic, memorable, yet heartfelt performances of modern films. Their chemistry is unmatched, which allows them to deliver one of the most realistic portrayals of friendship ever shown on the big screen. They joke as if they have known each other for years and argue in such a way that shows how much Alyssa and Dreux care for each other.

While an argument between the leads has become a cliche in these friendship-driven comedies this film does it best.

While the two leads are fantastic characters, the true standouts of the film are the smaller roles and side characters. Each character introduced adds something different to the film. These side characters keep the film unpredictable and keep the viewer on their toes, but when a familiar face graces the screen, the viewer knows they are in for a unique yet often relatable brand of comedy, which keeps the audience cracking up the entire time without a dull moment in the cinema.

The film fills itself with these characters to keep the story grounded yet outlandish and gives the film a greater sense of community, which makes the cast feel like a family. Each character has unique quirks that make them more realistic and allow the viewer to relate more to the story. All viewers know someone like each of these characters in their own right.

The standout of these characters is Katt Williams as Lucky, who acts as both comic relief and a mentor for the leads.

The largest issue when it comes to the film is the pacing. Obviously, with a plot like this the story does have to move at a quicker place, but at points the story moves so fast that it does not give the different story beats time to breathe. The film would greatly benefit from extending the length by a small amount to make some of the story beats more memorable.

The film is so much more than just the characters, though; the way it utilizes the visual medium of film is unique and enticing. Every shot is full of so much detail and color that a single frame could keep the viewer interested for hours.

The film effectively uses visuals, particularly through the clothing and outfits of its characters. Costume designer Kairo Courts cleverly incorporates subtle details in the characters’ garments to reflect their mental and emotional states as the narrative progresses.

While “One of Them Days” is Lawrence Lamont’s big screen directorial debut, his experience directing music videos is evident throughout the film. Pairing his directorial style with Chanda Dancy’s composing (and the rest of the extensive music and sound department) creates an enthralling cinema experience.

Phoenix Theatre employee Jackson Ryback has observed that the film typically attracts a younger demographic; Ryback attributes this to Sza’s star power, which draws in the crowd of young comedy lovers.

Despite its flaws, the best word I could use to describe how the filmmaking and story come together to make this film is alive. The colors and visuals of the film are alive, the story is alive. Together, they make a film full of comedy, drama, and life.

“One of Them Days” is a film best suited to be watched by a group of friends and those close to you. The unique brand of humor paired with the realistic and relatable portrayal of friendship and relationships makes this the perfect film to share with your loved ones. The humor, visuals, and many other unique aspects of the film are what will make “One of Them Days” an instant classic.

This story was originally published on Lakewood Times on February 17, 2025.