Why You Need to Watch This Time-Loop Comedy Before It’s Too Late!

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Science fiction genres often reign supreme, and it’s not hard to understand why. Notable series like “Avatar” and “Dune” create captivating, otherworldly landscapes and present gripping tales of good battling evil. Yet, there’s also a significant place for humorous science fiction movies within the entertainment industry. Timeless favorites such as “Back to the Future” and “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” demonstrate this perfectly, both revolving around time travel – a recurring theme in sci-fi. Time is a central element in many compelling narratives due to the intrigue of revisiting a moment. However, what truly captivates us is the possibility of countless chances to correct mistakes.

In the film “Palm Springs” on Hulu, characters Nyles (Andy Samberg) and Sarah (Cristin Milioti) find themselves trapped in a time loop. Initially, this seems like a dream come true, but instead of enjoying their endless free time, they must face personal issues they’ve been avoiding for ages. The movie delivers laughs as expected from a comedy, but the unique sci-fi twist sets it apart and makes it a highly recommended watch.

Palm Springs Is Deeper Than It Seems

Sarah is at her sister’s wedding in Palm Springs, but she’s feeling quite unwell. However, things look up when she encounters Nyles, yet another wedding guest who’d rather be somewhere else. They decide to sneak away to the desert for a rendezvous, but their good fortune is short-lived as Nyles gets struck by an arrow. On impulse, Sarah accompanies Nyles into a cave to avoid their attacker, thereby finding themselves trapped in the same time loop they’ve been experiencing. It’s later revealed that Nyles has been going to this wedding for quite some time and has made an adversary out of Roy (played by J.K. Simmons), another guest at the ceremony.

Following the subsiding of the initial surprise, Sarah chooses to adapt to her fresh circumstances, taking on tasks that she’d never muster the boldness for outside a time loop. However, the moments of joy don’t persist indefinitely; past errors start to resurface. Eventually, Sarah is compelled to acknowledge that she had an affair with her sister’s fiancé on the eve of the wedding, while Nyles finds himself forced to confess his numerous encounters with Sarah prior to her entering the time loop. In an attempt to regain control over her life, Sarah embarks on a journey to study quantum physics, seeking a means of escape from this predicament.

Nyles finds it hard to go back to normal life after the time loop, so he refuses Sarah’s invitation to explore her ideas. He confesses his feelings for her and fears the potential outcomes of a world with consequences, leading Sarah to forgive him. With that, they re-enter the cave, destroy it, and break free from the time loop. The next day finds them enjoying life in a pool, living it up. The film Palm Springs, though, stops there, leaving unclear what’s ahead for the couple.

There’s Never Been a Better Riff of Groundhog Day Than Palm Springs

From the plot of “Palm Springs,” it’s evident that the film draws influence from the time-loop narrative of “Groundhog Day.” Similar to Bill Murray’s character, Nyles and Sarah find themselves trapped in a day they’d prefer to forget repeatedly. What sets “Palm Springs” apart is its focus on developing two characters instead of one. The presence of another person compels Nyles and Sarah to delve deeper into empathy, providing them with an enlightening experience.

The open-ended conclusion adds extra appeal since Nyles and Sarah’s relationship status remains unclear, much like Phil and Rita. They could decide to stay together after overcoming their fear of commitment or part ways once their shared journey concludes. Regardless of their choice, they both have grown as individuals and are now prepared to face life with renewed optimism.

Palm Springs is streaming now on Hulu.

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2025-06-15 16:40