Keke Palmer and SZA Run Low on Time and Money But Not Jokes in ‘One of Them Days’ Trailer

It’s too bad landlords don’t accept face cards are payment for rent — if they did, Keke Palmer and SZA wouldn’t have caught themselves in such a tight spot in the first trailer for their upcoming comedy film One of Them Days.

In theaters Jan. 24, the Lawrence Lamont-directed film stars Palmer and SZA as best friends and roommates Dreux and Alyssa. The pair find their friendship and the roof over their head put at risk when Alyssa’s boyfriend makes off with their rent. When their landlord issues a hard deadline to get the payment in, they find themselves running low on time and money — but not jokes.

When they try to get a loan, Dreux sends the office worker into a laughing fit over how low her credit score is. “Are you having a heart attack?” she asks in Palmer’s perfected comedic tone. Meanwhile, Katt Williams is banging on the glass begging them to leave the likely predatory loan service alone. The way that Dreux sees it, they just need to make it over this hurdle in order to stay afloat long enough for the good parts to make themselves know. She has an interview for a stable corporate job the same day that their rent is due, leaving Alyssa with more responsibility than she seems to know what to do with.

One of Them Days was produced by Issa Rae and written by Syreeta Singleton, reuniting the creators from the short-lived Max series Rap Sh!t. It also features appearances from Maude Apatow, Janelle James, and Lil Rel Howery.

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Palmer and SZA first crossed paths on a comedic and creative level in 2022 when they appeared as host and musical guest, respectively, on Saturday Night Live. Their episode produced two instant-classic skits with The United Tingz of Aubrey (a pre-Kendrick Lamar battle Drake takedown) and “Big Boys,” the should-be-hit SZA performed about getting ready for cuffing season.

“Growing up, I definitely didn’t see the people that I see now. It’s not like it is now, like with Issa Rae, Kevin Hart, or Jordan Peele, or Donald Glover,” Palmer told Rolling Stone last year. “People like Jordan have helped me in many different ways, trusting me as an actor, just giving me an opportunity. Knowing what my journey was, I don’t want the conversation to continuously be ‘You’re the first.’ It shouldn’t be a surprise when you see Black people out here killing it.”