One of Them Days Review: Keke Palmer is Dynamite in Lawrence Lamont’s Debut Comedy Film

   March 6, 2025

Keke Palmer is undeniably magnetic, and One of Them Days (2025) serves as another showcase for her effortless charm and comedic timing. Directed by Lawrence Lamont, the film largely exists to let Palmer shine, and she doesn’t disappoint, carrying the movie’s 97-minute runtime with infectious energy.

One of Them Days (2025)
One of Them Days (2025)

Palmer stars as Dreux, a young woman facing a race against the clock to come up with $1,500 after discovering that her best friend and roommate, Alyssa (SZA), has been duped by her reckless boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal), who blew their rent money. The two set off on a series of chaotic misadventures, including a slapstick-heavy blood donation attempt and a makeshift sneaker flip involving a cameo from Lil Rel Howery. Along the way, Dreux struggles to balance her personal crisis with a corporate job interview, setting up a classic high-stakes comedy dynamic.

SZA, in a surprisingly solid musician-to-actor transition, holds her own, but the movie belongs to Palmer. Her comedic instincts, physicality, and ability to sell even the clunkiest dialogue are what keep One of Them Days from falling apart. And there’s plenty of clunky dialogue—the script often feels stiff and undercooked, with some robotic line delivery from the supporting cast that dulls the film’s momentum. While the comedic set pieces are sporadically amusing, the movie struggles to establish much beyond surface-level hijinks, making it fun but ultimately forgettable.

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There’s an undeniable sitcom energy to One of Them Days—it often feels like a straight-to-streaming comedy rather than a theatrical release. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it limits its impact. While it’s a decent January comedy that surpasses some of the usual early-year filler, it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression. The biggest takeaway? Keke Palmer deserves more lead roles. She’s dynamite here, even if the movie itself is just mildly engaging fun.

Score: 6/10

One of Them Days (2025)

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