If you loved
Palmer
Film · 2021
What hooked you in Palmer was the way an individual’s struggle to outrun a checkered past reveals the grace of second chances.
Books on the same thread
Reminders of Him
Colleen Hoover · Book · 2022
Like Palmer, this story centers on a protagonist returning to a town that remembers their mistakes, focusing on the painful, redemptive path toward earning forgiveness and rebuilding broken family bonds.
After the Game
Abbi Glines · Book · 2017
Much like the protagonist in Palmer, the lead character returns home to a community that has already judged her, forced to confront the weight of her past while seeking redemption.
Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #7)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
While tonally different, this shares the core focus of Palmer by exploring how a character released from jail attempts to navigate their new reality and find a place among others.
Sounder
William H. Armstrong · Book · 2011
This classic shares the somber, grounded atmosphere of Palmer, highlighting the intense loyalty and struggle for survival that defines the bond between a boy and his protector during hard times.
Series on the same thread
Godfather of Harlem
Chris Brancato · Series · 2019
This series mirrors the central tension in Palmer by following a man who, upon returning home from prison, must navigate the social wreckage of his past to define his future.
Mayans M.C.
Kurt Sutter · Series · 2018
Like the former football star in Palmer, this protagonist returns from prison to a familiar environment where he must redefine his identity while struggling against the expectations of his past.
Sneaky Pete
David Shore · Series · 2015
This series captures the same tension found in Palmer as the protagonist attempts to hide his true history by integrating into a family that remains unaware of his past crimes.
All American
April Blair · Series · 2018
If the football background in Palmer resonated with you, this drama explores the similar pressures of navigating high-stakes athletics while dealing with the social complexities of two very different worlds.
Podcasts on the same thread
Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.
The Boston Globe | Audible · Podcast · 2024
This investigative look at a fallen football star explores the darker, real-world reality of the themes of reputation and institutional pressure that underlie the fictional narrative of Palmer.
Couple Things with Shawn and Andrew
Shawn Johnson + Andrew East · Podcast · 2026
If you appreciated the focus on personal growth and vulnerability in Palmer, this podcast offers a similar look at the private lives of athletes beyond their public, performative personas.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Palmer based on a true story?
The provided information does not state that Palmer is based on a true story. It describes the film as a fictional narrative centered on Eddie Palmer, a former high school football star returning home from prison to form a bond with a young boy named Sam.
Does Palmer feature Eddie Palmer as the main character?
Yes, Eddie Palmer is the central character of Palmer. The story follows his life after he returns home from a twelve-year prison sentence and attempts to rebuild his life while forming an unexpected relationship with a young outcast named Sam who comes from a troubled home.
What is the primary conflict in Palmer?
The primary conflict in Palmer involves the protagonist Eddie Palmer struggling to move forward with his life after prison. Although he forms a meaningful bond with a boy named Sam, his past actions and history threaten to destroy his new life and the family he is trying to build.
How long was Eddie Palmer in prison before the events of Palmer?
In the film Palmer, the character Eddie Palmer spent twelve years in prison. The story begins upon his return home, where he attempts to piece his life back together while navigating the challenges of his past and his new connection with a young boy named Sam.