Palmer (2021)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
An ex-convict finds redemption and a sense of purpose while becoming the guardian of a young boy.
The story
Eddie Palmer, a former high-school football star and ex-felon, is released from prison after serving 12 years for attempted murder and armed robbery. He moves in with his grandmother, Vivian, who helps care for her neighbor's son, Sam, a young boy whose mother, Shelly, is frequently absent due to drug addiction. When Vivian passes away, Palmer is forced to become Sam's temporary guardian. Although he initially resists the responsibility, he begins to form a deep bond with the boy while working as a local school janitor and navigating his own complicated past.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After his grandmother Vivian passes away, Eddie Palmer—a former football star and ex-convict—becomes the temporary guardian of his neighbor's son, Sam. While working as a school janitor, Palmer bonds with Sam, taking him to games and teaching him to play the ukulele. Palmer also begins a relationship with Sam's teacher, Maggie, and reveals his past of addiction and crime to her. When Sam's mother, Shelly, returns and takes him away, Palmer is eventually forced to intervene when he witnesses her and her boyfriend, Jerry, abusing the boy and using drugs. After a tense confrontation and a brief period of legal uncertainty, Shelly agrees to let Palmer have full custody of Sam. The film concludes with Palmer and Sam moving in with Maggie as they prepare to sell Vivian's house.
- First release year
- 2021
- Runtime (minutes)
- 110
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Fisher Stevens
- Writers
- Cheryl Guerriero · writer
- Cast and characters
- Justin Timberlake · Eddie Palmer; Juno Temple · Shelly Burdette; Alisha Wainwright · Maggie Hayes; June Squibb · Vivian Palmer; Ryder Allen · Sam Burdette; Dean Winters · Jerry
- Genres
- drama
- Themes
- redemption; parenting; child abuse
- Tone and mood
- heartfelt; poignant
- Premise and plot tags
- unlikely bond; father figure; post-prison life
- Source material / true-story basis
- The screenplay first appeared on the 2016 Black List.
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances and themes though noted its familiarity.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 72% · scale: percentage · review count: 108; Metacritic · score: 53 · scale: 100 · review count: 21
- Production trivia
- The film had the second-biggest film launch for Apple TV+.; The film was part of a 33% increase in viewership in its opening weekend.; The screenplay first appeared on the 2016 Black List.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…