Review: Timberlake seeks redemption in formulaic ‘Palmer’

There’s a kitchen-sink full of Serious Drama Cliches in the new Justin Timberlake film “Palmer,” about a high school football star turned convict who must help the young gender fluid boy with the addict mom next door while also trying to regain his footing in his small Louisiana hometown. It’d be an insult to real Oscar-bait to even call this Oscar-bait. And yet, compelling performances make “Palmer” watchable and fairly affecting despite the fact that we’ve seen this kind of thing so many times before.

Timberlake plays Eddie Palmer, who has just been released from prison after 12 years and is going to live with his grandmother Vivian (June Squibb) in his old hometown. He’s got the ex-con beard and hoodie and thousand-yard squint and is a bit of a mystery, although that might be giving him a little too much credit. The script takes its time teasing out what exactly landed him behind bars.

But he’s essentially keeping his head down and trying to reenter society when he gets an added complication: The heroin addict living in the trailer next door (played by Juno Temple, who somewhere along the way started getting typecast in “white trash” roles) takes off with her abusive boyfriend and leaves her 7-year-old son Sam (Ryder Allen) without any care.

This image released by Apple shows Ryder Allen, left, and Juno Temple in a scene from “Palmer.” (Apple via AP)

Sam is used to the unconventional routine and packs up to stay with Vivian, who is happy to care for him for however long his mom stays away. But Vivian is not long for this movie and pretty soon it’s just Palmer who is left and he isn’t exactly looking to be a surrogate parent to anyone. Sam is also a bit of a target in this small Southern town. He is essentially gender non-conforming. He likes makeup and tea parties and animated fairy princess shows and gets picked on by the boys at school for it.

Palmer’s transition from subtle intolerance to full acceptance of Sam’s person is very quick, which is a little convenient for the story and doesn’t do anything to reveal who Palmer is, was or is becoming. The script even has the audacity to pretend like Palmer is actually going to turn Sam over to the system at one point. Not only would the movie have no where to go, but it would also take some kind of monster to abandon Sam, who is an angel of a child, polite, funny, curious, self-sufficient and undisturbed by any judgments. When Palmer tries to point out that there aren’t any boys in the fairy princess show, Sam comes back with something like “I’ll be the first.” Does it sound more like an adult screenwriter (Cheryl Guerriero wrote the script) than an innocent child? Yes. But Allen sells it. And he and Timberlake are pretty darn cute together, which goes a long way. There’s also a romance side plot between Palmer and Sam’s teacher Maggie (Alisha Wainwright).

“Palmer” is directed straightforwardly by Fisher Stevens, who in addition to his acting career has had successes directing documentaries over the years. It’s hard to say why something like this, invented whole cloth and out of a bundle of familiar tropes, is more effective than something like “Hillbilly Elegy,” which was an actual true story, but here we are. And even so, you never forget that you’re watching a movie.

This image released by Apple shows Juno Temple in a scene from “Palmer.” (Apple via AP)

Still it’s nice to be reminded that Timberlake has some acting chops, although it’s a far cry from his “Social Network” breakthrough.

“Palmer,” an Apple TV+ release available Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for “language, some sexual content/nudity and brief violence.” Running time: 110 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

MPAA Definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

This image released by Apple shows, front row from left, Justin Timberlake, Ryder Allen and June Squibb in a scene from “Palmer.” (Apple via AP)

Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr

This image released by Apple shows Ryder Allen, left, and June Squibb in a scene from “Palmer.” (Apple via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The jury trial for Nathan Chasing Horse, the former “Dances with Wolves” actor accused of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls, is expected to begin Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Prosecutors allege he used his reputation as a spiritual leader and healer to take advantage of his victims over two decades. Chasing Horse has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, including sexual assault, sexual assault with a minor, first degree kidnapping of a minor and the use of a minor in producing pornography.

The case sent shock waves across Indian Country when he was arrested and indicted in early 2023. After many setbacks and delays, the case finally proceeded to trial after prosecutors added allegations that Chasing Horse filmed himself sexually abusing a girl younger than 14.

Best known for portraying the character Smiles A Lot in the 1990 movie “Dances with Wolves,” Chasing Horse was born on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota, which is home to the Sicangu Sioux, one of the seven tribes of the Lakota nation.

After starring in the Oscar-winning film, according to prosecutors, Chasing Horse proclaimed himself to be a Lakota medicine man while traveling around North America to perform healing ceremonies.

Prosecutors say Chasing Horse led a cult called The Circle, and his followers believed he could speak with spirits. His victims went to him for medical help, according to a court transcript from a grand jury hearing.

One victim was 14 years old when she approached him, hoping he would heal her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer. Chasing Horse previously had treated the victim’s breathing issues and her mother’s spider bite, according to a court transcript. He allegedly told her the spirits wanted her to give up her virginity in exchange for her mother’s health. He allegedly sexually abused her and said her mother would die if she told anyone, according to the victim’s testimony to the grand jury.

The original indictment was dismissed in 2024 after the Nevada Supreme Court ruled prosecutors abused the grand jury process when they provided a definition of grooming as evidence without any expert testimony.

The high court, specifying that the dismissal had nothing to do with Chasing Horse's innocence or guilt, left open the possibility of charges being refiled. In October 2024, the charges were refiled with the new allegations that he recorded himself sexually abusing one of his accusers.

Prosecutors have said the recordings, made in 2010 or 2011, were found on cellphones in a locked safe inside the North Las Vegas home that Chasing Horse is said to have shared with five wives, including the girl in the videos.

Jury selection will begin Tuesday and is expected to take multiple days. The trial could last four weeks, and prosecutors plan to call 18 witnesses. A week before the trial, Chasing Horse attempted to fire his private defense attorney, saying his lawyer hadn't come to visit him. Judge Jessica Peterson removed Chasing Horse from the courtroom when he tried to interrupt her, and she denied his request.

The case is a reminder that violence also occurs within Native communities and is not just something committed by outsiders, said Crystal Lee, CEO and founder of the organization United Natives, which offers services to victims of sexual abuse.

Chasing Horse’s trial requires hard conversations about Native perpetrators, she said.

“How do we hold them accountable?” she said. “How do we start these tough conversations?”

Judge Jessica Peterson presides of the trial of Nathan Chasing Horse on charges of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nathan Chasing Horse, right, sitting next to attorney Craig Mueller, holds a shoe as he appears for his trial on charges of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nathan Chasing Horse appears for his trial on charges of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nathan Chasing Horse appears before judge Jessica Peterson for his trial on charges of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Nathan Chasing Horse, right, talks to his attorney Craig Mueller during his trial on charges of sexually abusing Indigenous women and girls Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)