You know those days where everything that could possibly go wrong actually does? That’s basically the entire energy of the One of Them Days movie cast, and honestly, it’s the most refreshing thing we’ve seen in theaters for a while. Usually, when a movie tries to replicate that "Friday" or "B.A.P.S." vibe, it feels forced. Like a TikToker trying too hard to be "relatable." But this one? It hits different.
Released back in January 2025, this flick didn't just drop and disappear. It actually stuck. We're talking about a $51 million box office run on a tiny $14 million budget. That’s wild for a mid-budget comedy these days. Most of that success comes down to the fact that the people on screen actually look like they like each other. Or, at the very least, they know how to annoy each other in that way only real best friends do.
Meet the One of Them Days Movie Cast
The chemistry here isn't an accident. You’ve got Keke Palmer playing Dreux, the responsible one who’s just trying to get to a job interview. Then you have SZA—making her big acting debut—as Alyssa. SZA plays the "let the universe handle it" type of roommate, which is a perfect contrast to Keke’s high-energy, "I will literally fight the landlord" persona.
Here is the breakdown of the main players who made this race-against-the-clock story actually funny instead of just stressful:
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- Keke Palmer (Dreux): A hardworking waitress at Norms. She's the anchor of the movie.
- SZA (Alyssa): An artist whose boyfriend basically ruins their entire life in the first ten minutes.
- Joshua David Neal (Keshawn): The "trifling boyfriend" who blows the rent money on a fake "Cucci" t-shirt line. We all know a Keshawn. Unfortunately.
- Maude Apatow (Bethany): Bringing some of that Euphoria energy but way more awkward.
- Janelle James (Ruby): Absolute scene-stealer. If you loved her in Abbott Elementary, she brings that same "I don't get paid enough for this" energy here.
- Katt Williams (Lucky): He plays a local eccentric who keeps trying to give the girls advice they definitely don't listen to.
- Lil Rel Howery (The Buyer): Another comedy heavy-hitter who shows up to make things more complicated.
- Vanessa Bell Calloway (Mama Ruth): A legend. Pure and simple.
Why Keke Palmer and SZA are the Duo We Needed
Honestly, I was skeptical about SZA acting. A lot of musicians try to pivot to film and it’s... stiff. But Alyssa is such a specific vibe. She’s airy, she’s a bit of a mess, and she’s the reason they're in this mess because she trusted Keshawn. Watching her and Keke bounce off each other feels like eavesdropping on a real conversation in South Central.
Director Lawrence Lamont really leaned into that "buddy comedy" history. You can feel the influence of F. Gary Gray throughout the whole runtime. It’s a love letter to Crenshaw, much like Friday was for Compton.
The Supporting Cast is Stacked
It's not just a two-woman show. The One of Them Days movie cast is deep. You have Amin Joseph as King Lolo and Aziza Scott as Berniece, who is basically the "Deebo" of this universe. Berniece is the neighborhood bully who ends up with the girls' rent money after a chaotic encounter.
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Then there's the landlord, Uche, played by Rizi Timane. He gives them exactly six hours to find $1500. That ticking clock is what drives the whole movie. Every time they think they've got the cash, something ridiculous happens. Like, they try to sell one of Alyssa's paintings for $300, but then they lose the rest of the money because it literally falls out of a pocket during a fight.
Production Pedigree
You can't talk about this movie without mentioning Issa Rae. She produced this under her Hoorae Media banner, and you can see her fingerprints all over the script (which was written by Syreeta Singleton). It has that Insecure or Rap Sh!t DNA—it's funny, but it also touches on the reality of living paycheck to paycheck without being "trauma porn."
The film was shot in just 22 days in July 2024. That’s a fast shoot, but it adds to the frantic, "we need this money right now" energy of the plot.
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What’s Next for the Franchise?
Because the movie did so well—and because the critics actually liked it (it holds a high Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes)—a sequel was officially announced in June 2025. Both Keke and SZA are expected to come back.
If you haven't seen it yet, it’s been streaming on Netflix since March 2025. It’s one of those movies that’s perfect for a Sunday afternoon when you just want to laugh at someone else's problems for 90 minutes.
Actionable Takeaway for Movie Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into this new era of Black comedy, keep an eye on ColorCreative and MACRO. These are the production companies behind the film that are consistently putting out projects that feel authentic. Also, check out Lawrence Lamont’s previous work on music videos—you can see how his visual style from those Big Sean videos translated into the bright, kinetic look of this film.
The most important lesson from the movie? Don't let your roommate's boyfriend handle the rent money. Ever.