Palmer
Palmer
7.372%87%
Eddie Palmer (Justin Timberlake), recently released from prison after serving 12 years for attempted murder, moves in with his grandmother and forms an unlikely bond Sam (Ryder Allen), a young boy who lives with his drug-addicted mother and her abusive boyfriend and is being bullied over his identity.
Manuel Frangis reviewedApril 13, 2025
I just watched Palmer, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of those quiet, powerful movies that really hits you in the heart. It is not loud or full of big action. It is about people, second chances, and learning to care again after thinking you never could. I went into it not knowing much, and by the end, I was completely locked in. It is simple but meaningful in the best way.
Justin Timberlake stars as Palmer, a man who is just getting out of prison and trying to rebuild his life in a small town. He moves back in with his grandmother and is just trying to keep a low profile. He has been through a lot, and he carries that weight in every scene. Timberlake gives a quiet, restrained performance that really works. He plays Palmer like someone who has been hurt and is still figuring out who he is supposed to be now.
What really makes the movie special is the bond that forms between Palmer and a young boy named Sam, played by Ryder Allen. Sam is a unique kid. He loves princesses, wears what he wants, and has no interest in changing who he is. But because of things going on at home, he ends up needing someone to look out for him. That is where Palmer steps in, and what starts as something temporary becomes something so much deeper.
The chemistry between Timberlake and Allen is incredible. Their scenes together feel real. They are quiet, awkward, funny, and full of little moments that slowly build into something strong. You can see Palmer changing just by being around Sam, and you can see how much it means for Sam to have someone who finally shows up for him.
The movie does not rush their relationship. It lets it grow naturally, which makes it even more emotional. There are scenes where nothing big is happening, but you feel everything in the way they look at each other or in the pauses between words. It is that kind of storytelling — small moments that add up and leave a big impact.
The setting adds to the feel of the movie. It takes place in a quiet town with not much going on, but that works. The slower pace gives the characters room to breathe. It makes the story feel personal. The cinematography is simple and natural, focusing on faces, spaces, and everyday life.
What stood out most to me is how the movie handles identity, judgment, and unconditional love. It never turns into a lecture. It just shows people being who they are and others slowly learning how to accept that. The scenes with Sam are handled with so much care and honesty. The story makes it clear that being different is not the problem — how people react to that difference is.
I give Palmer 5 out of 5 stars because it is heartfelt, honest, and really well done. It is the kind of movie that makes you stop and think about how you treat people, especially those who do not fit in. It is about second chances, for yourself and for others, and it delivers that message beautifully. Overall Palmer is a quiet, emotional movie about healing, acceptance, and finding family in the most unexpected way. It is simple, real, and full of heart. I loved every minute of it.