Three Los Angeles-based screenwriters, Tyrone Perry, Shon Oku, and Joshua Isaacson, filed a lawsuit on July 30, 2025, alleging that Issa Rae-produced “One of Them Days” copied their original screenplay titled “One of Those Days.” The lawsuit claims copyright infringement, idea theft, and conversion. 

Specifically, the writers allege that there are 29 similarities in character arcs, plot structure, and overall tone between the film and their script. They shared their script with producer Xavier Charles, who had previously worked with Issa Rae on her HBO series, “Insecure.” After Charles declined to produce their project, Rae’s company announced “One of Them Days” shortly thereafter. The lawsuit claims this proximity in timing, coupled with Charles’s connection to Rae, points to unauthorized use of their material. 

The released buddy comedy film, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, centers on best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), who find themselves in a chaotic race against the clock to avoid eviction. 

The central conflict arises when Alyssa’s boyfriend blows their rent money on a bad investment. Faced with the threat of being evicted from their Los Angeles apartment, the duo goes to extreme lengths to find the necessary funds before their landlord’s deadline. The film is filled with comical situations and highlights the strength and quirks of their friendship as they navigate the challenges of their “one of those days” scenario.

To support their claims, the writers hired veteran screenwriter John Brancato, who reviewed both scripts and concluded that the similarities were “substantial”. 

The lawsuit names Issa Rae’s company ColorCreative, Sony Pictures, TriStar, and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton. It seeks a jury trial, damages, and attorney’s fees. Representatives for Rae and Sony have not yet commented publicly on the allegations. 

The highly anticipated trailer for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, starring Denzel Washington, dropped today. This marks the duo’s fifth collaboration, a reunion nearly two decades in the making since their last joint project, Inside Man (2006).

The trailer, released by A24 and Apple Original Films, offers a gripping glimpse into a modern reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 classic High and Low, set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City’s music industry. Here’s everything you need to know about the trailer, cast, and what to expect from this electrifying crime thriller.

The Highest 2 Lowest trailer features Denzel Washington as David King, a charismatic music mogul renowned for having the “best ears in the business.” When a ransom plot threatens his empire, King confronts a life-or-death moral dilemma that challenges his values and legacy.

This neo-noir crime thriller also stars A$AP Rocky as Yung Felon, the antagonist who goes “toe-to-toe” with Washington, delivering a performance that Lee has praised as “fire.” The cast is rounded out by Jeffrey Wright as King’s chauffeur, Ilfenesh Hadera as his wife Pam, and Ice Spice in her feature film debut, alongside Dean Winters, LaChanze, and John Douglas Thompson. The trailer also teases original music from A$AP Rocky.

Highest 2 Lowest is a bold reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s High and Low, itself based on Ed McBain’s 1959 novel King’s Ransom. While Kurosawa’s original centered on a shoe company executive facing an extortion plot, Lee’s version transplants the story to modern-day New York City, weaving in themes of wealth, power, and moral complexity. The trailer emphasizes Lee’s vibrant, theatrical direction, with vivid visuals captured by cinematographer Matthew Libatique.

Highest 2 Lowest is set for a limited theatrical release on August 15, 2025, through A24, followed by streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 5, 2025.

Watch the official trailer below.

Each of the episodes of Smoke — a nine-episode crime drama that debuted on Apple TV+ on June 27, 2025 — is a gripping exploration of arson, trauma, and moral ambiguity. Developed by Dennis Lehane and adapted from the Firebug podcast, the series follows arson investigator Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) and detective Michelle Calderon (Jurnee Smollett) as they search for two serial arsonists through the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Umberland. Featuring a terrific array of characters and a generally cool smoky look, Smoke generates a good deal of interest but does not quite seem to achieve full narrative traction.

Set against a chilling and atmospheric backdrop, the series is a riveting, twisting, and insidious mystery that will have readers on the edge of their seats until the finale. The show explores themes such as guilt, narcissism, and self-deception through the use of fire as a metaphor for moral and emotional decay. It begins as a typical cop show, but evolves into a twisty narrative that challenges expectations, though some plot turns sometimes feel abrupt or underdeveloped.

The ensemble is a highlight. Taron Egerton is excellent as the former firefighter-turned-investigator Dave Gudsen, a man of entangled desires and weaknesses. Jurnee Smollett is right there with him as Michelle Calderon, channeling steely resolve and emotional complexity into a detective wrestling with her own history. Supporting players like Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, who portrays the enigmatic Freddy Fasano, and Greg Kinnear, as the fire chief, are also doing a brilliant job. As a lonely soul in agony, Mwine gives us something frighteningly real.

Smoke is a worthy binge for those who enjoy character-driven crime dramas, tinged by Egerton and Smollett’s riveting performances. Although its sleek execution and psychological richness keep it compelling, the show doesn’t always fulfill the promise of its early episodes, stumbling into an overly repetitive, overly ambitious storytelling scope. Yet, it’s a strong addition to Apple TV+’s expanding roster of prestige dramas, ideal for those who like their mysteries slow-burning and a bit dark.

Smoke is available on Apple TV+. New episodes drop weekly through August 15, 2025.