The Viral Hit You Missed: 5 Shocking Facts About The Keke Palmer And SZA Movie 'One Of Them Days' And Its Sequel

The highly anticipated collaboration between acting powerhouse Keke Palmer and Grammy-winning music artist SZA is not just a rumor—it’s a certified box office and streaming hit. The film, an R-rated buddy comedy titled One of Them Days, premiered in early 2025 and immediately became a cultural phenomenon, marking a massive cinematic debut for SZA and another critical success for Palmer. The buzz is still roaring, especially with the news of a sequel now officially confirmed.

As of today, December 17, 2025, the conversation is less about the movie's release and more about its incredible performance and the exciting future of the franchise. This film, produced by Issa Rae’s company, shattered expectations with its hilarious, chaotic, and deeply relatable story of two broke best friends scrambling for rent money in Los Angeles. Here is the definitive, up-to-date breakdown of the project, including the full cast profiles and the latest sequel details.

Keke Palmer and SZA: Full Biographical and Career Profile

The film’s success is built on the undeniable chemistry between its two leading stars, each a titan in their respective fields. For many, One of Them Days was their first introduction to SZA's acting, while it was a reminder of Keke Palmer's versatile range.

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Keke Palmer (Lauren Keyana Palmer)

• Born: August 26, 1993 (Dolton, Illinois)
• Career Highlights: Actress, singer, television host, voice actress, and activist. A true multi-hyphenate star since her childhood roles.
• Major Filmography: Akeelah and the Bee (2006), Scream Queens (2015–2016), Hustlers (2019), Nope (2022), Lightyear (2022 - Voice).
• Key Role in One of Them Days: Dreux Jones, the more assertive and street-smart of the two best friends, who is determined to fix their rent crisis by any means necessary.
• Major Accolades: Two Primetime Emmy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Black Reel Awards. Palmer is the youngest talk show host in television history.

SZA (Solána Imani Rowe)

• Born: November 8, 1989 (St. Louis, Missouri)
• Career Highlights: Critically acclaimed and genre-defying singer-songwriter. Known for her unique blend of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and lo-fi sounds.
• Major Discography: Ctrl (2017), SOS (2022). Both albums achieved massive commercial and critical success, cementing her status as a generational artist.
• Key Role in One of Them Days: Alyssa, the slightly more cautious and emotionally-driven roommate whose boyfriend is the catalyst for the film's chaotic plot. This marks her feature film acting debut.
• Major Accolades: Five Grammy Awards, eight Billboard Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards. Her album SOS spent multiple weeks at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

The Story Behind 'One of Them Days': An R-Rated Buddy Comedy Hit

The core intention behind the search for a "Keke Palmer and SZA movie" was answered with the release of this film, which quickly became a sleeper hit and a major win for Black Hollywood. The project originated from the desire to create a hilarious, authentic, and fast-paced comedy centered on the struggles of young Black women in a major city.

The film, directed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Syreeta Singleton, plunges the audience into the worst possible day for Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA). The plot kicks off when they discover that Alyssa’s irresponsible boyfriend has blown their entire rent money. Facing imminent eviction, the two best friends have exactly 24 hours to come up with the cash, leading them on a wild, R-rated scramble across Los Angeles.

The movie is a relentless barrage of comedic hijinks, featuring an incredible supporting cast, including the legendary comedian Katt Williams as a character named Lucky, and appearances by Vanessa Bell Calloway and L'il Rel Howery.

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Keke Palmer, a veteran of both comedy and dramatic roles (like her critically acclaimed performance in Jordan Peele’s Nope), was effusive in her praise for SZA’s seamless transition to the big screen. The chemistry between the two leads is widely cited as the main reason for the film’s success, making the desperate, chaotic situation feel both hysterical and genuinely heartfelt.

The Success, The Sequel, and The Future of the Franchise

The financial and critical success of One of Them Days was a major moment for its production company, Hoorae Media, founded by Issa Rae. The film was a testament to the power of authentic, female-led, and Black-centered comedies, proving that there is a massive appetite for these stories in mainstream cinema. The critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, with many reviewers specifically highlighting SZA's natural comedic timing and Palmer's ability to anchor the chaos.

The Official Sequel: What We Know

Following a successful theatrical run and a major trending moment on streaming platforms like Netflix, the news everyone was hoping for arrived: a sequel is officially in development.

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• Status: The sequel is currently in early development at TriStar Pictures.
• Returning Stars: Both Keke Palmer and SZA have signed on to reprise their roles as Dreux and Alyssa, respectively.
• Creative Team: The original creative team, including the director and writer, is expected to return to maintain the unique tone and energy of the first film.
• Plot Details: While plot details are being kept tightly under wraps, it is safe to assume the sequel will follow the two best friends on another chaotic, high-stakes adventure in the sprawling landscape of Los Angeles. Given the events of the first film, the stakes will likely be even higher this time around.

Topical Authority: Key Entities and Cast Members

To fully appreciate the scope of this film, it’s essential to recognize the deep bench of talent involved, which adds significant topical authority to the project:

• Director: Lawrence Lamont (His first feature film, making the success even more notable).
• Writer: Syreeta Singleton (Known for her sharp, comedic voice).
• Producer: Issa Rae (Through her company Hoorae Media, cementing her influence in the industry).
• Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment / TriStar Pictures.
• Co-Stars:
  • Katt Williams as Lucky
  • Vanessa Bell Calloway as Mama Ruth
  • L'il Rel Howery as The Buyer
  • Joshua David Neal as Keshawn
  • Maude Apatow as Bethany

The combination of these established comedic and dramatic talents, alongside SZA's fresh-faced energy, is what catapulted One of Them Days from a simple buddy comedy to a certified hit franchise. The anticipation for the sequel, which will continue the story of Dreux and Alyssa, is already building to a fever pitch, promising another wild ride for fans of both Keke Palmer and SZA.