One of Them Days

Although it has style and attitude to spare, One of Them Days fits into a derivative formula rather than finding its own voice.

With its freewheeling vibe and mischievous spirit, this broad comedy about sisterhood reworks the Friday formula for millennial women — as much about the hardscrabble neighborhood as the quirky characters within it.

It generates some scattered big laughs but is more hit-and-miss as a working-class satire with muddled subtext about gentrification, socioeconomic inequality, cultural and generational differences, subconscious bias, and systemic discrimination.

The story unspools over 24 hours in which Murphy’s Law runs roughshod on best friends Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (musician SZA), who share a rundown Los Angeles apartment while living paycheck to paycheck.

The ambitious Dreux waits tables at a local diner, trying to stay upbeat but struggling to stay ahead. “I feel like I’m hanging on by my fingernails,” she laments. “It shouldn’t have to be this hard.”

The roommates can’t afford incidents like Alyssa’s slacker boyfriend (Joshua David Neal) grifting their rent money on the day it’s due. Their slimy landlord (Rizi Timane) gives them hours before eviction, knowing the outcome is inevitable.

From there, chaos reigns as they hustle against the clock to come up with the cash, from selling plasma, to visiting a loan store with a hopeless credit score, to finding and selling some vintage sneakers, to staging an impromptu show for Alyssa’s art.

The film from rookie director Lawrence Lamont is more silly than substantial, and more playful than provocative, given a boost by amusing cameos from Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, and Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”).

Rough around the edges, it’s a charming showcase for both stars. Palmer’s versatility has always been worthy of more starring roles, and SZA conveys a winning screen presence in her film debut. Together, they find the right balance of sweetness and sass.

Unfortunately, the disjointed story around them lacks the emotional cohesion to secure a deeper rooting interest. As their palpable sense of desperation is offset by persistent contrivances and exaggerations, the film too often defaults to strained low-brow gags.

Without the same sense of scrappy resilience as its protagonists, One of Them Days tweaks stereotypes yet winds up more exhausting than endearing.

Rated R, 97 minutes.