--- title: "Palm Springs: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/palm-springs/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/palm-springs" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 28 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Palm Springs (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 28 reviews: 25 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like Palm Springs a good deal, and the reviews are unusually united. The praise gathers around Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti, whose chemistry is named again and again as the reason the time-loop premise feels fresh rather than borrowed. Several reviewers argue that Milioti gives the stronger performance; the Los Angeles Times says she eclipses Samberg and carries the story’s emotional high point. The comedy is described as inventive and the romance as sincere, and many are pleased that the jokes leave room for something bleaker about living with oneself. The reservations are small and mostly about mechanics. Variety and The AV Club find the plot’s explanations shaky, and The New Yorker and The Ringer think it does not improve on Groundhog Day. Vulture regrets a conventional swing toward commitment. The one real dissent is Sight and Sound, which finds the ideas underdeveloped and objects that Sarah’s growth is pushed aside for Nyles’s arc. ## Empire — Nick de Semlyen Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 April 2021. De Semlyen calls it a wonderfully witty, weird, and emotionally sincere comedy, and one of the year’s best. He praises the comic inventiveness and the chemistry between Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/palm-springs/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2021. Bradshaw finds the time-loop romance ingenious, good-natured and very funny, and says it delivers much-needed laughs. He particularly praises Andy Samberg’s effortless, precisely timed performance, which makes the premise convincing. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/apr/08/palm-springs-review-the-time-loop-film-is-back-again-groundhog-day) ## The i Paper — Ella Kemp Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2021. The critic praises the film as a clever, empathetic romance that makes its time-loop premise feel fresh. They single out the vibrant performances and intelligent comedy for bringing insight to its study of relationships. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/palm-springs-review-time-loop-romcom-adam-samberg-947094) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 28 January 2020. Debruge finds the film an inventive, irreverent refresh of the time-loop rom-com that ultimately delivers sincere romance. He praises its absurd scenarios and the connection between its lead characters, though he notes the cave explanation does not work. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/palm-springs-review-1203482914/) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating B+. 27 January 2020. Festival review. Ehrlich praises the film as a witty, touching reinvention of the time-loop comedy, though he finds it too curious to explore every possibility. He singles out the chemistry between Samberg and Milioti and the film’s sharp, sweet treatment of romantic partnership. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/palm-springs-review-andy-samberg-sundance-1202206545/) ## The AV Club — A.A. Dowd Rating B+. 6 July 2020. Dowd finds the film a funny, inventive, sweet rom-com that builds on the Groundhog Day premise, though its plot mechanics are less solid. The review especially praises the equal-footing chemistry between Samberg and Milioti. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/andy-samberg-falls-into-his-own-groundhog-day-in-the-sw-1844267284) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Rating 4/5. 8 April 2021. O'Sullivan finds the familiar time-loop premise smart and surprisingly fresh. She praises the cast as a whole and singles out the film’s dark, feminist-leaning humor. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/palm-springs-review-amazon-prime-time-loop-andy-samberg-cristin-miloti-b928433.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2020. Chang finds the film a breezily entertaining and metaphorically rich romantic comedy. He especially praises Cristin Milioti, whose performance eclipses Samberg’s and delivers the story’s emotional high point and funniest moment. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-07-09/palm-springs-review-andy-samberg-hulu) ## Radio Times — Emma Simmonds Rating 4/5. Simmonds describes it as an energetic romcom with a satisfyingly cynical edge. She praises how it draws sustained fun from the time-loop premise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-eue2rk/palm-springs/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John DeFore Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2020. Festival review. DeFore finds the film a thoroughly enjoyable, surprisingly philosophical crowdpleaser. He especially praises the inventive hijinks and the way the comedy gives serious thought to living with one’s own damaged self. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/palm-springs-1273219/) ## RogerEbert.com — Sheila O'Malley Rating 3/4. 9 July 2020. O’Malley finds the time-loop romantic comedy charming and thoughtful. She singles out the lively chemistry between Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/palm-springs-movie-review-2020) ## Slant Magazine — Chris Barsanti Rating 3/4. 1 July 2020. The critic finds the film confident, funny, and thoughtful despite its familiar premise. He praises its balance of existential questions with bright comedy, especially the leads’ contrasting performances. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-palm-springs-puts-a-fresh-spin-on-the-time-loop-rom-com/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2020. Lane finds Palm Springs spirited but not a major advance on Groundhog Day. He especially praises Cristin Milioti, whose performance brings grace and pathos to Sarah. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/07/20/palm-springs-and-the-comedy-of-eternity) ## Vulture — Alison Willmore Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2020. Willmore finds the film charming and timely, despite its conventional turn toward romantic commitment. She praises its nimble pacing and the chemistry between Cristin Milioti and Andy Samberg. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/palm-springs-movie-review.html) ## The New York Times — Jeannette Catsoulis Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2020. The page is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. No review details are available to summarize reliably. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/movies/palm-springs-review.html) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 45/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2021. The critic finds the film an insouciant riff with promising ideas that are often left underdeveloped, and objects to Sarah’s growth being eclipsed by Nyles’s arc. Miliotti is singled out for matching Samberg’s energy in the film’s goofy, lighthearted moments. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/palm-springs-2020-max-barbakow-andy-samberg-cristi-miliotti-groundhog-day-infinite-time-loop-meet-cute) ## Collider — Adam Chitwood Rating A. 10 July 2020. Festival review. Chitwood calls the film a brilliant, hilarious, and moving love story. He especially praises Samberg and Milioti’s performances and the film’s balance of comedy with emotional depth. [Read the review](https://collider.com/palm-springs-andy-samberg-movie-review/) ## Den of Geek — Nick Harley Rating 4.5/5. 8 July 2020. The review finds Palm Springs a sharply original, sweet, and subversive rom-com that sustains its playful premise and sticks the landing. It especially praises Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti’s easy chemistry and standout performances. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/palm-springs-review/) ## /Film — Ben Pearson Rating 9/10. 30 January 2020. Festival review. Pearson calls the film a sharp, satisfying crowd-pleaser with the makings of a modern comedy classic. He singles out Samberg and Milioti’s magnetic performances and the joyful, goofy scenes in which they embrace the time loop. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/571958/palm-springs-review/) ## Paste — Andy Crump Rating 8.2/10. 8 July 2020. Crump finds the film funny and emotionally resonant, even as its mood turns bleak. He praises how its steady stream of jokes carries weight while exploring the characters’ growth. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/andy-samberg/palm-springs-review-cristin-milioti) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 6 July 2020. The critic finds the film hilarious, affecting and highly creative, though not quite a flawless classic. Samberg and Milioti’s performances stand out, while the rushed pacing leaves some time-loop details and a relationship development underexplored. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33212519/palm-springs-review-brooklyn-99-andy-samberg/) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 6 February 2021. Kermode finds the film playful, smart and warmly entertaining. She praises the leads’ nuanced performances and the deft handling of science-fiction and romantic-comedy themes. [Read the review](http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/palm-springs-2020-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) ## Polygon — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2020. Festival review. Robinson finds the film fresh, playful, and genuinely funny despite its familiar time-loop premise. She especially praises the lively chemistry and comic performances of Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2020/1/28/21111341/palm-springs-review-andy-samberg-cristin-milioti-jk-simmons-groundhog-day-comedy-movie/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 July 2020. The critic finds the film thoroughly enjoyable, inventive, and occasionally touching. They praise its fresh spin on the time-loop premise and romantic-comedy tropes, along with its entertaining performances. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/palm-springs-film-review-andy-samberg-cristin-milioti-groundhog-day/) ## The Ringer — Adam Nayman Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2020. Nayman finds the film silly but ultimately humane, affecting, and satisfying, though it does not surpass its predecessors. He praises Samberg and Milioti’s complex chemistry and the way their performances give the time-loop comedy emotional stakes. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/07/13/movies/palm-springs-review-andy-samberg-hulu-time-loop) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film charming and emotionally resonant, though its ending does not match its lively opening. They single out the soulful performances, especially Cristin Milioti’s subtle expressiveness alongside Andy Samberg. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/palm-springs-review-andy-samberg-2917467) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 9 July 2020. Worthington finds the film funny, charming, and bittersweet, calling it a sweet meditation on long-term relationships. He singles out the assured performances and chemistry of Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti for praise. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/07/film-review-palm-springs/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 67/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2020. Festival review. The URL identifies this as The Playlist’s Sundance review of Palm Springs. The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict and specific praise or complaint are unavailable. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/palm-springs-sundance-review-20200127/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/palm-springs.md