So you want to watch Palmer. You’ve heard the buzz about Justin Timberlake trading in his pop-star polish for a grizzled, ex-con look in a small-town Louisiana drama. Maybe you saw a clip of Ryder Allen, the kid who basically steals the whole movie, and thought, "I need to see this."
Finding it isn't hard, but there’s a specific reason why you won't find it on Netflix or Hulu.
Honestly, the "streaming wars" have made things kinda annoying for casual viewers. You used to just check one or two spots and call it a day. Now, every tech giant has their own vault. If you’re hunting for Palmer, you’re looking for an Apple Original Film.
The short answer for where to watch Palmer
Basically, you have to go to Apple TV+.
This isn't just a movie they licensed for a few months. Apple bought the rights to this script and produced it as part of their early push into prestige cinema. It premiered on January 29, 2021, and since then, it has lived exclusively on their platform.
You can’t just hop over to Disney+ or Max to find it. It's tucked away in the Apple TV app. The good news? If you've never signed up before, they usually have a 7-day free trial. If you just bought a new iPhone, Mac, or iPad, you might even have three months of the service sitting there for free.
Check your settings. Seriously. A lot of people pay for this stuff without realizing they already have access through a device purchase.
Can you buy or rent it elsewhere?
This is where it gets a little tricky. Usually, with "Originals," the streamers keep them locked behind a subscription wall forever. For a long time, you couldn't find Palmer anywhere else. However, things have shifted slightly in the digital marketplace over the last couple of years.
While you won't find it on other subscription services (like Peacock or Paramount+), some digital retailers have started offering it for purchase.
- Amazon Video: Sometimes available to buy (not rent).
- Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu): Occasionally lists it for digital purchase.
- Apple iTunes: Obviously, you can buy it here to own it forever.
Renting is rarer. Most of the time, Apple wants you to subscribe to the service rather than just giving them six bucks for a one-time view. It’s all about those monthly active users.
Why Palmer isn't your typical "ex-con" movie
Most people go into this expecting a gritty crime thriller. It’s not that. At all.
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Justin Timberlake plays Eddie Palmer, a former high school football hero who basically threw his life away. He spent 12 years in prison for attempted murder. When he gets out, he moves back in with his grandmother, Vivian, played by the legendary June Squibb.
Then there’s Sam.
Sam is the neighbor’s kid. His mom, Shelly (Juno Temple), is a mess—disappearing for weeks at a time on drug benders. Sam is different. He likes dolls. He likes tea parties. He wants to be a princess for Halloween. In a rural, rigid town in the South, that’s a recipe for trouble.
What makes Palmer stand out is how it avoids the typical "macho man teaches boy to be a man" trope. Instead, Sam’s unapologetic self-acceptance is what actually helps Palmer heal. It’s surprisingly tender. Fisher Stevens, the director, really leaned into the quiet moments rather than the explosions or heavy-handed moralizing you see in lower-tier dramas.
The cast you’ll recognize
It’s a small ensemble, but every gear turns perfectly.
- Justin Timberlake: He’s stoic here. Minimal dialogue. He uses his eyes a lot. It’s arguably his best acting work since The Social Network.
- Ryder Allen: This was his debut. He’s incredible. He manages to be precocious without being annoying, which is a hard line for child actors to walk.
- Alisha Wainwright: She plays Maggie, a teacher who becomes Palmer’s love interest. Their chemistry feels grounded, not forced.
- June Squibb: She provides the moral compass of the film.
Technical stuff you might care about
If you’re a stickler for quality, watching it on Apple TV+ is actually the best move. Apple has some of the highest bitrates in the streaming game.
Palmer is available in 4K (Ultra HD) with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support. If you have a decent home theater setup, the atmospheric sounds of the Louisiana bayou and the subtle soundtrack really pop. The cinematography by Tobias Schliessler uses a lot of natural light, giving it this raw, humid feel that looks great in HDR.
What to do next
If you're ready to watch, here is the most efficient way to get it done:
- Check for a trial: Go to the Apple TV app on your phone or smart TV. If you haven't used the service lately, look for the "7 Days Free" banner.
- Verify your hardware: If you've bought an Apple device in the last 90 days, go into the TV app; it should automatically prompt you to claim your free months.
- Bundle up: If you already pay for iCloud storage and Apple Music, check out Apple One. It usually ends up being cheaper to bundle the TV service in than paying for it separately.
- Set aside two hours: The runtime is 1 hour and 50 minutes. It's a "one-sitting" kind of movie. You don't want to break the emotional momentum by pausing it halfway through.
Once you finish Palmer, the Apple TV+ algorithm will probably point you toward CODA or The Banker. Both are solid follow-ups if you're in the mood for more grounded, character-driven stories.