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Palm Springs (2020 film)

Palm Springs is a 2020 American science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Max Barbakow in his feature directorial debut and written by Andy Siara.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Palm Springs is a 2020 American science fiction romantic comedy film directed by Max Barbakow in his feature directorial debut and written by Andy Siara. Starring Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, and J. K. Simmons, it follows two wedding guests who become trapped in a time loop at a Palm Springs resort.

Plot

The story follows two strangers who meet at a wedding and then find themselves reliving the same day repeatedly. The time-loop structure drives both the film’s romance and its comedic elements.

Production

Palm Springs was directed by Max Barbakow from a screenplay by Andy Siara, based on a story by Barbakow and Siara. It is described as Barbakow’s first feature film.

Release

The film had a Sundance premiere and later received a U.S. limited theatrical and streaming release on July 10, 2020.

Reception

The film was reviewed as a comedy-romance with science-fiction elements and was widely discussed for its time-loop premise.

Key facts

  • The film is based on a time-loop premise set during a wedding in Palm Springs.
  • It was directed by Max Barbakow and marked his feature directorial debut.
  • Andy Samberg also served as a producer on the film.
  • The central characters are Nyles and Sarah, played by Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti.
  • The film was released in the United States on July 10, 2020.
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Canadian context

The film was available to Canadian audiences through international streaming and home-viewing markets, and it is a widely circulated English-language feature in the North American film market.

Frequently asked questions

What is Palm Springs about?
It follows two wedding guests who become trapped in a time loop and keep reliving the same day.
Who directed Palm Springs?
Max Barbakow directed the film.
Who stars in Palm Springs?
The film stars Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, and J. K. Simmons.
When was Palm Springs released?
It was released in the United States on July 10, 2020.
What genre is Palm Springs?
It is a science fiction romantic comedy.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_(2020_film)
    Supports: Director, writer, cast, premise, and feature debut information.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/palm_springs_2020
    Supports: Genre, release date, and synopsis.
  3. The Curb — https://www.theco curb.com.au/palm-springs-review-the-perfect-film-for-2020-an-absolute-comedy-blast/
    Supports: Plot premise and time-loop setup.
  4. Spanish Wikipedia — https://www.es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_(pel%C3%ADcula)
    Supports: Sundance premiere and U.S. release date.
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/palm-springs-movie-review-2020
    Supports: Director debut and general critical description.