Palm Springs

Palm Springs

Year: 2020

Runtime: 90 min

Language: English

Director: Max Barbakow

Echo Score: 76

Budget: $5M

MysteryFantasyComedyRomance

During a destination wedding in Palm Springs, a free-spirited young man named Nyles and a rebellious guest, Sarah, find themselves stuck in a time loop, reliving the same day over and over again. Initially indulging in consequence-free revelry, they eventually forge an unlikely connection and work together to break free from the endless cycle, questioning the meaning of their predicament and finding unexpected hope along the way.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Palm Springs yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Palm Springs (2020)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Palm Springs (2020). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

November 9-10

The movie unfolds over the course of two days, primarily focused on November 9, the wedding day. It explores themes of time, existentialism, and relationships within this unique time manipulation, highlighting characters' evolving experiences and realizations.

Location

Palm Springs, Irvine

Palm Springs is a resort city in California, known for its sunny weather, luxury hotels, and vibrant nightlife. It serves as the backdrop for the film's time loop, where characters attempt to navigate their unique predicaments. Irvine, a nearby city, is mentioned as the home of Roy, a character grappling with his own challenges.

🏖️ Palm Springs 🏙️ Irvine

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

Main Characters – Palm Springs (2020)

Meet the key characters of Palm Springs (2020), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nyles (Andy Samberg)

Nyles is portrayed as a carefree yet troubled individual who finds himself trapped in the same day repeatedly. His relaxed exterior hides deeper feelings of despair and yearning for connection. Through his interactions with Sarah and Roy, he learns to confront his emotions and ultimately see the value in love and commitment.

😎 Carefree 💔 Troubled 🌅 Evolving

Sarah (Cristin Milioti)

Sarah starts as a maid-of-honor overwhelmed by her sister’s wedding, but she quickly evolves into a key figure in unraveling the mysteries of the time loop. Her character exhibits intelligence, determination, and vulnerability, especially in her pursuit of freedom and understanding of her feelings for Nyles.

✨ Strong 💡 Intelligent 🌀 Determined

Roy (J.K. Simmons)

Roy is a complex character who fuses elements of humor and vengeance. He is caught in the time loop due to Nyles's actions and struggles with his growing resentment. Throughout the film, he embodies the challenges of forgiveness and the desire for reconciliation.

🤔 Complex 💥 Vengeful 🧑‍💼 Family-oriented

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

Major Themes – Palm Springs (2020)

Explore the central themes of Palm Springs (2020), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔄 Time Loop

The central theme revolves around the concept of a time loop that traps Nyles and Sarah in a continuous cycle of the same day. This allows for exploration of personal growth, the consequences of actions, and the impact of choices on relationships. As they navigate the loop, they learn about love, regret, and the importance of connection.

💔 Love and Regret

The film delves into the complexities of love and the burden of regret that the characters face. Nyles and Sarah's evolving relationship highlights their struggles with infidelity, guilt, and the necessity of honesty. As they interact over various resets, they reflect on their feelings and their past choices.

⚡ Existentialism

The theme of existentialism is prominent as characters confront the meaning of life within a time loop. They grapple with feelings of futility and the search for purpose, particularly through Sarah's quest for knowledge about escaping the loop. The film raises questions about free will and the significance of choices in a seemingly predetermined existence.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 18:50

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Quirky Existential Comedies like Palm Springs

Stories that use a surreal premise to explore the search for meaning.If you liked Palm Springs, you'll enjoy these movies that use a unique, high-concept premise to explore an existential crisis with humor and heart. This section features films similar to Palm Springs, blending sci-fi or fantasy ideas with relatable character arcs about finding meaning.

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Narrative Summary

Movies in this thread typically introduce a fantastical or surreal situation—like a time loop, alternate reality, or unique set of rules—that forces the protagonist to confront a personal or existential stagnation. The narrative follows them as they move from confusion and nihilistic indulgence to a more purposeful understanding of their life and relationships, often facilitated by a new connection.

Why These Movies?

They are grouped together because they share a specific mix: a clever, often humorous sci-fi/fantasy premise used as a vehicle for a deeper emotional and philosophical exploration. The tone balances wit and whimsy with genuine reflection, resulting in an experience that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally satisfying.

Movies About Breaking Cycles like Palm Springs

Characters trapped in a cycle must find a new way to break free.Discover movies similar to Palm Springs where characters are trapped in a repetitive cycle and seek a way out. If you enjoyed the 'escape the loop' narrative of Palm Springs, these films feature stories about overcoming personal stagnation and finding second chances.

repetitivetrappedsecond-chancesself-discoverycooperativebreakthroughhopeful

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a state of entrapment, initially met with resistance, denial, or reckless abandon. Over time, the characters reach a point of realization about the true nature of their confinement. The plot then shifts to a proactive and collaborative effort to solve the puzzle of their escape, culminating in a breakthrough that signifies profound personal change.

Why These Movies?

These films share a powerful emotional arc centered on liberation from stagnation. They blend the tension of being trapped with the hope of finding a solution. The experience is defined by this central conflict between confinement and the yearning for freedom, making the eventual escape feel earned and meaningful.

Unlock the Full Story of Palm Springs

Don't stop at just watching — explore Palm Springs in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Palm Springs is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Palm Springs Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Palm Springs, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Palm Springs Summary

Palm Springs Timeline

Track the full timeline of Palm Springs with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Palm Springs Timeline

Palm Springs Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of Palm Springs? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

Palm Springs Ending Explained

Palm Springs Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Palm Springs that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Palm Springs Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Palm Springs

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Palm Springs: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Palm Springs

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