Issa Rae Sued By Writer, Claiming “One of Them Days” Was A Rip-Off

Issa Rae is facing a federal lawsuit from three Los Angeles screenwriters who claim her 2025 film One of Them Days copied their earlier work without permission.

Writers Joshua Isaacson, Shon Oku, and Tyrone Perry filed the suit on July 30, accusing Rae’s company ColorCreative, Sony Pictures, TriStar, and screenwriter Syreeta Singleton of copyright infringement and idea theft. According to the complaint, the film shares significant similarities with their 2020 script One of Those Days, including character arcs, plot structure, and overall tone.

Court documents reveal that in late 2023, the trio shared their screenplay with producer Danny Hamouie, marking the first time it was shown outside their group. Hamouie, however, did not respond and is not named in the lawsuit.

In April 2024, the writers submitted the script to producers Roman Arabia and Xavier Charles, founders of Green Eggs Go H.A.M. The company declined the project.

Weeks later, Rae’s production company announced One of Them Days, a film following two friends scrambling to pay rent. Directed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Singleton, it starred Keke Palmer and SZA. The movie opened in January 2025 and grossed over $51 million on a $14 million budget.

One connection the writers highlight: Charles, who rejected the original script, previously worked on Rae’s HBO series Insecure. The plaintiffs allege this link and the timing point to unauthorized use of their material.

To support their claims, the writers retained veteran screenwriter John Brancato, who reviewed both works. Brancato concluded the similarities were “substantial” and not coincidental.

In the lawsuit, the writers argue Rae’s team “misappropriated Plaintiffs’ original expression and passed it off as their own without authorization, credit, or compensation.” They are requesting damages, attorney’s fees, and a jury trial.

Representatives for Rae and Sony have not commented publicly on the allegations.

The case adds to broader concerns in Hollywood over the protection of intellectual property and the sharing of stories during development. If the plaintiffs prevail, the outcome could influence how studios and creators handle unsolicited material and collaborative boundaries.