One of Them Days: A Refreshing Nostalgic Ride With a Modern Twist

In One of Them Days, Keke Palmer and SZA bring the buddy comedy genre into 2025 with a fresh energy that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. Directed with a wink to classics like Friday, this film is a love letter to the genre, but it’s the chemistry between its leads that steals the show.

The plot centers around Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), best friends and quintessential ride-or-die partners navigating a comedic crisis. When Alyssa’s boyfriend squanders their rent money, the duo embarks on a chaotic, day-long adventure through Los Angeles to recover it. The premise is simple, but the execution? Pure comedy gold.

Keke Palmer proves once again why she’s one of Hollywood’s most dynamic talents. Her Dreux is sharp-tongued, fiercely loyal, and magnetic—Palmer owns every scene she’s in. Critics have rightly called this “her show,” and it’s hard to argue with that when she lands each joke and emotional beat with precision.

Then there’s SZA, stepping into her feature film debut like she’s been doing this forever. While Alyssa’s laid-back vibe complements Dreux’s high-energy antics, SZA also shows a knack for subtle humor and heartfelt sincerity. Together, Palmer and SZA deliver a dynamic that feels real and lived-in, like two best friends who know each other’s every quirk and flaw but love each other all the more for it.

Critics have been kind, with the Associated Press calling SZA’s debut impressive but emphasizing that the movie ultimately belongs to Palmer. Vulture echoes this, describing the duo as “a winning pair of unlucky besties racing to recover rent money.” Meanwhile, RogerEbert.com offers a more tempered take, likening the film to a high-five finally landed after a few misses—not perfect, but satisfying.

The film’s nostalgic nods to buddy-comedy classics are deliberate. Pitchfork aptly describes it as “a beat-for-beat update of Friday,” and fans of that cult classic will appreciate the homage. However, One of Them Days isn’t content to rest on the laurels of its predecessors. Its sharp writing and the contemporary lens through which it views friendship, loyalty, and survival give it a fresh perspective.

Though not flawless, the film has won over audiences and critics alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a respectable 76%, and Metacritic scores it a solid 71 out of 100—both strong indicators of its broad appeal.

What ultimately sets One of Them Days apart is its heart. Beneath the laughs and hijinks lies a celebration of Black friendship and resilience, making it more than just a comedy—it’s a cultural moment. Palmer and SZA aren’t just acting out a script; they’re telling a story that feels authentic, grounded, and deeply relatable.

One of Them Days is a reminder of why we love the buddy-comedy genre in the first place: it’s not just about the laughs but the love between the characters that makes us root for them. And in that sense, Palmer and SZA hit it out of the park.

Final Verdict:

One of Them Days is a delightful, laugh-out-loud ride that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Come for Keke Palmer’s masterclass in comedy, stay for SZA’s charming debut, and leave with a renewed appreciation for the beauty of true friendship.