“Friday After Next” was the third film in the “Friday” franchise. This was a stoner comedy that has a Christmas theme, so it often gets people arguing whether it’s a Christmas movie or not. The movie was written by and starred Ice Cube.
“Friday After Next” brought us memorable characters like Day-Day, Willie Jones, Uncle Elroy, Mrs. Jones, and Pinky. Fans of this movie have made it a Christmas staple every year since it first premiered on November 22, 2002.
Ice Cube (Craig Jones)
GettyCraig Jones, the carefree cousin who happens to land a job as a mall security guard, was played by Ice Cube. This happened shortly before Christmas, following a robbery at his apartment by a Santa impersonator.
The film, which was the third in the Craig story from “Friday” (1995) and “Next Friday” (2000), was also written and produced by Ice Cube. Cube did a fantastic job of mixing broad humor with social critique. He anchored the film as a continuation of Craig’s everyday challenges as much as a holiday comedy.
GettyIce Cube is one of Hollywood’s most enduring rapper-to-actor success stories. He has since starred in numerous additional movies, such as “Ride Along,” “21 Jump Street,” and the “Barbershop” franchise.
He continued his music career, launched the BIG3 basketball league, and remains a producer. At 56, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Mike Epps (Daymond “Day-Day” Jones)
GettyCraig’s cousin and mall security colleague, Day-Day, was portrayed by Mike Epps. He also played a crazy old man with a shotgun, which also had people cracking up. Day-Day became one of the most memorable characters in the franchise thanks to Epps’ rapid-fire delivery and physical humor.
GettySince “Friday After Next,” Epps has continued to be active in both stand-up and film. He has voiced a character in “Open Season 2” and made appearances in comedies like “The Hangover.” He continues to lead comedy tours to keep himself busy off-screen.
John Witherspoon (Willie Jones)
GettyAs Willie Jones, Craig’s father and co-owner of “Bros’ BBQ,” John Witherspoon was adored. His distinctive timing and emotional reactions, which had already made him a cult favorite in the earlier “Friday” films, were crucial to his portrayal.
GettyWitherspoon died in 2019 at the age of 77. As one of the most well-known dads and elders on television in comedy, he created a lasting impact. He was well-known for his parts in “The Boondocks,” “House Party,” and multiple sitcom appearances in addition to the “Friday” franchise.
Don “D.C.” Curry (Elroy Jones)
Don “D.C.” Curry as Uncle Elroy, Day-Day’s father and Willie’s brother, was making everyone laugh. In order to add another level of complexity to the Jones family’s turmoil, he reprised his role in “Next Friday.” His humorous swagger and exaggerated facial expressions would frequently steal scenes.
As can be seen above, Curry is still involved in comedy, particularly on the stand-up circuit. He has made frequent appearances at comedy clubs around the nation and headlined tours in recent years. He frequently combines his enthusiasm he brought to Uncle Elroy with observational humor.
Anna Maria Horsford (Betty Jones)
GettyHorsford played Betty Jones, Craig’s mom, Willie’s wife, and the level-headed heart of the Jones family. Her grounded performance balanced the movie’s over-the-top humor. She helped give the Jones household a sense of realism amid the madness.
GettyHorsford has had a long and successful career before and after “Friday After Next.” She has starred in everything from “The Wayan Bros.” to “The Bold and the Beautiful,” which earned her Daytime Emmy nominations. At 77, she continues to work, with some of her recent roles being in “No Good Deeds” on Netflix and “The Last O.G.” on TBS.
Clifton Powell (Pinky)
Clifton Powell played Pinky, the often exasperated former boss of Day-Day, whose interactions add to the movie’s comic chaos. His portrayal of the often-stressed Pinky helped lean into the sharp comedic frustration, which made him an effective foil to Day-Day’s antics.
GettyPowell has had a prolific supporting actor career in both movies and TV. He earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for his role in “Ray,” and has appeared in everything from drama, action movies and voice roles.
In recent years, Powell has continued to act in both film and television. This includes roles in prime-time soap operas and streaming content.
Why ‘Friday After Next’ Still Matters
As we get ready to celebrate Christmas, “Friday After Next” puts a holiday spin on the everyday struggles of Craig and Day-Day. They not only delivered laughs, but also showed off the strong chemistry among this cast.
Critics were mixed at the time the movie premiered, but audiences have embraced it as a seasonal comedy favorite and a faithful continuation of the “Friday” franchise. Many of the cast continue to work across entertainment, comedy, and culture, which shows the spirit of this comedy lives well beyond the mall security gig.
Favorite.\nOf all comedy movies