ISSA RAE'S NEW COMEDY, 'ONE OF THEM DAYS' ALREADY HAS MY MONEY

There's no denying that Issa Rae has been a groundbreaking voice in Hollywood, crafting narratives that authentically reflect an array of Black experiences. In contrast to the many Hollywood productions that (still) perpetuate stereotypes, Rae consistently challenges the status quo by creating multidimensional characters that genuinely form a connection with fans. And her work through her production company, adorably named Hoorae, has played a vital role in pushing the boundaries of representation and providing Black people–specifically Black women—with a sense of belonging on screen.

It still blows my mind that her journey to stardom began with a little web series, Awkward Black Girl, on YouTube. Which, yes, I watched. Like many others, it was one of the first times that I truly felt seen, heard, and understood. Black girls were often portrayed on screen as either the too-cool-for-school-friend or the-vixen-next-door. But Rae offered a refreshing and authentic portrayal of Black womanhood, showcasing that some of us are loudly and proudly uncool, ungraceful, and awkward af.

The series, its popularity and its massive following essentially launched Rae's career.

In 2016, Insecure premiered and changed the game with its candid storylines that focused on the complex experiences of everyday life for four Black friends. Throughout its five seasons, the series reflected the ups and downs of adulthood, navigating platonic and romantic relationships, discovering passions late in life, balancing family issues while building a career, micro-aggressions in the workplace, addressing childhood traumas, mental health, and so on. Still, it managed to package those layered themes into hilarious 30-minute episodes that embraced the average person simply trying to get through the day still whole at the end of it. Unlike other shows that focused on Black struggles, Insecure showed Black life in its everyday form—full of joy, resilience, frustration, love, awkwardness, and so much more.

Now, Ms. Rae has reentered the chat with her latest comedy, One Of Them Days. Starring Keke Palmer and SZA, this unlikely pairing already has fans buzzing. While One Of Them Days marks SZA's feature film debut, her chemistry with Palmer was previously showcased in 2022 on Saturday Night Live. It was then that fans received a glimpse of the duo's hilarious yet heartwarming onscreen synergy. And now that the trailer is finally here, it's clear. And Rae is once again, proving why she is a trailblazing force that continues to inspire us all with her authentic (if not over the top, in this case) storytelling.

One Of Them Days follows two broke best friends and roommates, Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), as they scramble to come up with their $1,500 monthly rent after one of their boyfriends swindles them. With eviction fast approaching, they have just one day to gather the funds. From embarrassing loan attempts to humorous misadventures (like SZA electrocuting herself while trying to retrieve a pair of Jordans from a power line), their friendship is put to the ultimate test.

The project features an impressive lineup of producers, including Sara Diya Rastogi, Keke Palmer and her mother, Sharon Palmer, as well as screenwriter Syreeta Singleton, Deniese Davis from ColorCreative, and Charles D. King, James Lopez, and Poppy Hanks from Macro Film Studios. The film is directed by the talented Lawrence Lamont, who previously collabed with Rae's production company on Rap Sh!t.

And besides SZA and Palmer, the cast of One of Them Days is equally star-studded, featuring appearances from Euphoria’s Maude Apatow and Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James. Other cast members include Katt Williams, Lil Rel Howery, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott, Patrick Cage, and Amin Joseph.

One of Them Days will see a theatrical release through Sony on January 24, 2025.