You’ll fall in love again & again.

On the surface, the time loop narrative sounds like such a cheap plot device, but it’s one that’s been returned to again and again over the years and one that, if done right, just works.

The premise of an infinitely looped period of time is a relatively simple one, yet its (quite literally) timeless framework can be used for all manner of genres. Whether it’s the Bill Murray comedy stylings of Groundhog Day, the Jake Gyllenhaal sci-fi of Source Code, or the race-against-time thrills of Run Lola Run, there’s something oddly satisfying about the inherent repetitiveness of this sub-genre.

At the end of the day, however, the time loop plot is a high-concept, high-risk gimmick, and one that can easily fall flat on its face if poorly executed. So, for a film that has not only taken this route, but openly modelled itself on the time loop GOAT, Groundhog Day, Palm Springs has set an awfully high bar for itself.

While stuck at a wedding in Palm Springs, Nyles (Andy Samberg) meets Sarah (Cristin Milioti), the maid of honour and the black sheep of the family. After he rescues her from a disastrous toast, Sarah becomes captivated by Nyles and his quirky nihilism. But when their impromptu encounter is foiled by a bizarre cosmic interruption and they end up trapped in the same day forever, Sarah must join Nyles in embracing the notion that nothing really matters, as they start wreaking high-spirited havoc on the wedding celebrations.

At the risk of sounding unnecessarily snobbish, Palm Springs really has no right being as good as it is. From its romcom Groundhog Day aspirations to its hefty Sundance price tag, this feels like a movie destined for a fall, yet nothing could be further from the truth.

Knowing the very precise limitations of its sub-genre and working within them perfectly, Palm Springs is extremely comfortable in its skin, and this confidence shines through in every single scene. Delivering on both its comedy aspirations and its high-risk concept, the film is an utter delight from start to finish, managing to make good on promises it didn’t even need to make.

Clocking in at an admirably swift 90 minutes, Palm Springs is an absolute breeze to watch, with a tone and an expertly plotted pace that makes the running time fly by. Carrying very little narrative flab, the film takes the premise that Groundhog Day made famous, munches on a ton of mushrooms, and runs with it into the desert, managing to feel both cosily familiar and refreshingly innovative all at once.

Much of the credit on this front must go to director Max Barbakow and writer Andy Siara, who combine for a story that feels hackneyed, yet ends up one of the most inspired comedies in years. With Siara’s surprisingly intricate script effectively conveying the inherent convolutions of the time loop setup, and with Barbakow’s assured direction capturing the absurdity of the situation without overindulging either its quirky or nihilistic sides, Palm Springs shows just what a comedy can do when focus and talent cosmically align.

Channelling the energy and the spirit that made Groundhog Day such a huge hit, Palm Springs plays its comedy hand incredibly well, taking just enough familiar beats from its predecessor to let us know exactly what we’re getting ourselves into, while making sure it blazes its own trail entirely. Yet, what takes Palm Springs to the next level is just how effortlessly it balances its genres, pitching its comedy perfectly while incorporating the story’s romantic, dramatic, and science fiction sides impeccably.

And it’s in this surprisingly delicate balancing act that Spring Break stands out from the crowd, juggling genres and styles effortlessly. The result is a plot and a story that feels natural, one that flows beautifully, and brims with the kind of heart and humour that most comedies would kill for.

Encapsulating this heart and humour perfectly, Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti play a huge part in making Palm Springs the success it is, as the two stars bounce off one another brilliantly while allowing their own personalities to shine through the material. Both play to their strengths exceptionally well, as Samberg pitches his natural goofball charm just right, while Milioti shows a deft hand at balancing physical comedy with strong dramatic chops.

Such a high-concept film like this will always sink or swim on the strength of its leads, and in Samberg and Milioti, Palm Springs has the perfect double act to pull off such a surprisingly complex arrangement. Ably supported by a typically gruff but wonderfully offbeat J.K. Simmons and a fun extended cast, the two stars understand the assignment perfectly and clearly have a whale of a time completing it.

Laying down a solid foundation for their success, the script itself demonstrates that there’s more than enough life left in the time loop sub-genre yet, and while the film’s basic premise is certainly nothing new, its execution is a lesson in just how to breathe new life into an old, familiar format. Gleefully toying with our expectations of the time-twisting convention, Andy Siara’s script is wonderfully playful, as it takes several tangents and unexpected left turns while being completely respectful to the key parts that make the time loop movie tick.

Paired with Max Barbakow’s assured and energetic direction, the writing blends the sci-fi quirkiness of the film’s hook, a classic will-they-won’t-they romcom setup, and a biting nihilistic edge with astonishing ease. While there are certainly moments where you can feel an impending sentimentality creeping in, the film never overwhelms itself, as it consistently plays to its strengths and fearlessly toys with our natural preconceptions.

Proving itself to be far more than the Groundhog Day knockoff it threatens, Palm Springs loops in strong performances, confident direction, and intricate, crisp, surprisingly poignant writing to offer a truly unique take on a cinematic convention that’s been around the block more than a few times. Packed into a refreshingly tight runtime, Palm Springs is an absolute breeze to watch and an immensely enjoyable ride that juggles genres and undermines conventions at every turn, willing you to return and fall in love with it again and again from here until the end of time.

Palm Springs is available to stream on Hulu (US) / Amazon Prime (international) now.