IMDb 7.3 2021 HD

Palmer

Palmer

2021
Drama
110 min R USA
8.125 / 10
7.3 IMDB

After 12 years in prison, former high school football star Eddie Palmer returns home to put his life back together—and forms an unlikely bond with Sam, an outcast…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Fisher Stevens
Starring
Justin Timberlake / Ryder Allen / Juno Temple / Alisha Wainwright / June Squibb / Dean Winters / Wynn Everett / Jesse C. Boyd

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

heartfelt earnest predictable touching grounded sentimental dramatic sincere familiar compelling hopeful

Reviews

I
Isabelle Moreau
Mar 29, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

'Palmer' offers a thoughtful, character-driven drama that benefits significantly from Justin Timberlake’s grounded portrayal of a man seeking a second chance. His evolution alongside the compelling performance of Ryder Allen as the young Sam forms the emotional core…

A
Arthur Pendelton
Mar 29, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

Justin Timberlake attempts a serious dramatic turn in 'Palmer,' playing a man trying to escape his past. The film's central conceit, an ex-convict bonding with a troubled child, is a narrative often explored. Timberlake’s performance is adequate, conveying…

G
Genevieve Dubois
Mar 29, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

In 'Palmer,' Justin Timberlake sheds his pop persona for a role that requires a deeper emotional register, and he largely succeeds. As a recently released convict, his journey is intertwined with that of Sam, a remarkable young boy…

M
Marcus Bellweather
Mar 29, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

'Palmer' presents a well-worn narrative of redemption, anchored by Justin Timberlake's committed, if not entirely transformative, turn. He portrays Eddie Palmer, a man seeking to mend his life after incarceration, whose path intersects with that of a unique…

E
Eleanor Vance
Mar 29, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

Justin Timberlake steps away from pop stardom to deliver a surprisingly earnest performance in 'Palmer'. He plays a former football star returning from prison, tasked with looking after a young, unconventional boy. The film hinges on this unlikely…

FAQs

Sam serves as a crucial catalyst in Eddie Palmer's journey towards redemption and personal growth. As an outcast boy from a troubled home, Sam represents innocence and a need for stability, mirroring Eddie's own desire for a fresh start. Their unlikely bond provides Eddie with a purpose and a reason to confront his past and strive for a better future. Sam's presence challenges Eddie's preconceived notions and offers him an opportunity to become a protector and a positive influence, fundamentally altering the trajectory of his life.