Palm Springs is very clearly an updated version of Groundhog Day — but it is unique enough to be completely its own thing.
I know I am late to the party on this one but I finally watched Palm Springs on Hulu and I have to admit, it was a whole lot better than I expected it to be. Palm Springs not only feels relatable after this endless loop or a year, it is a pure delight to watch. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti are phenomenal together in the lead roles of Nyles and Sarah. Palm Springs is a movie I would honestly watch time and time again.
The movie starts off already who knows how many days into a time loop, which we quickly find out. Nyles is reliving the same horrible day over and over. Sounds like the plot of Groundhog Day doesn’t it? Except this version truly steps it up a notch.
There is some unknown ancient force that is causing Nyles to relive his day as a guest at his girlfriend’s friend’s wedding — where he discovers his girlfriend cheats on him with another guest. When the movie starts this day has already happened many times – probably thousands – for Nyles. We learn he has tried everything to get out of it, including so many suicides.
When the sister of the bride follows him into a mysterious cave she now becomes stuck in the time loop and the two of them do everything crazy you can think of because, well, there are no consequences. They aren’t the only ones though. Another guest, Roy, played by J.K. Simmons, is stuck as well, and he adds some fun and danger to the situation.
I refuse to spoil the end of the movie but I need to point out the chemistry these two have in this movie. Samberg and Milioti are pure perfection and had me laughing until my sides hurt, but also connecting to and hoping the best for their characters. Neither of them are good people, which we learn, but they kind of want change, which is the first step.
Overall Thoughts
Palm Springs is funny, charming, and a new take on the classic Groundhog Day. It is sure to captivate you from the beginning thanks to the incredible acting from Samberg and Milioti. Groundhog Day is one of my favorite films, but updating this version to include other characters gives it a unique spin. I am also a really big fan of the fact that death isn’t permanent as you will still reset the next morning.
This movie is more than worth a watch — and one that I think will become timeless (no pun intended). Honestly, there are few 2020 movies I would watch more than once, and this is one of them. There is a touch of heart and good lessons to be learned in Palm Springs as well, but mostly I just thought about the crazy stuff I would do if there were no consequences.
There is no denying Palm Springs is a must watch Rom Com, with a fun sci-fi twist!
About Palm Springs
Stuck in a time loop, two wedding guests develop a budding romance while living the same day over and over again.
Watch Palm Springs on Hulu now!
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.