Keke Palmer leads Bay Area shoplifting gang in Boots Riley's 'I Love Boosters'

The upcoming film, written and directed by Oakland filmmaker Boots Riley, stars Keke Palmer, Demi Moore and the Bay Area.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:07pm

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The first trailer for 'I Love Boosters' has arrived, promising another vibrant, politically sharp ride from Oakland filmmaker Boots Riley. The heist comedy follows Corvette (Keke Palmer), who leads a group of women called the Velvet Gang. They begin 'boosting' — slang for shoplifting — from high-end stores, targeting a particular fashion mogul (Demi Moore) and reselling the pieces at a discount.

Why it matters

Boots Riley's films are known for their socially conscious themes and sharp political commentary, often highlighting issues of economic inequality and the struggles of marginalized communities. 'I Love Boosters' appears to continue this tradition, using the premise of a shoplifting gang to explore deeper questions about consumerism, wealth disparity, and the motivations behind criminal activity.

The details

The minute-and-a-half long trailer shows the Velvet Gang, led by Keke Palmer's character Corvette, driving over the Bay Bridge and targeting high-end stores. 'I shop here a lot, and I feel like I should have it all,' Palmer's character says. 'I just want to take it all home, heat it up and shoot it out my eyes. I just feel like, 'Give it to me. It's mine anyway.'' The film's title is a reference to the 2006 song of the same name by the Coup, Riley's Oakland hip-hop group, that praises shoplifters.

  • The film 'I Love Boosters' is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026.
  • The film will have its world premiere at the SXSW Film and Television Festival in Austin on March 12, 2026.

The players

Boots Riley

The writer and director of 'I Love Boosters', an Oakland filmmaker known for his socially conscious and politically sharp films.

Keke Palmer

The lead actress in 'I Love Boosters', playing the role of Corvette, who leads a group of women called the Velvet Gang in a shoplifting scheme.

Demi Moore

The actress playing a fashion mogul who is targeted by the Velvet Gang in the film.

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What they’re saying

“I shop here a lot, and I feel like I should have it all. I just want to take it all home, heat it up and shoot it out my eyes. I just feel like, 'Give it to me. It's mine anyway.'”

— Keke Palmer, as Corvette (sfchronicle.com)

“It's like community service.”

— Naomi Ackie, as a member of the Velvet Gang (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

The film 'I Love Boosters' is set to have its world premiere at the SXSW Film and Television Festival in Austin on March 12, 2026, before hitting theaters on May 22, 2026.

The takeaway

Boots Riley's latest film 'I Love Boosters' promises to continue his tradition of socially conscious, politically sharp storytelling. By centering a group of women shoplifters in the Bay Area, the film appears to explore deeper issues of economic inequality, consumerism, and the motivations behind criminal activity in a vibrant and thought-provoking way.