Keke Palmer Shines in Boots Riley's Outrageous 'I Love Boosters'

The director's second feature is a wild, satirical take on fashion consumerism and shoplifting.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:00am

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Boots Riley's new film "I Love Boosters" is a cosmic send-up of fashion consumerism, following a trio of shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang who steal from high-end stores and sell the clothes at discount prices. Starring Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige, the movie is a playful provocation that blends elements of "Sorry to Bother You," "The Devil Wears Prada," and "Ghostbusters" into a reality-hopping parable about the desperation of consumer culture.

Why it matters

Riley's second feature after the acclaimed "Sorry to Bother You" continues his bold, subversive style of funk surrealism, tackling themes of control, capitalism, and the fashion industry's grip on society. The film's diverse ensemble and genre-blending approach make it a unique and unconventional cinematic experience.

The details

"I Love Boosters" follows the Velvet Gang - Corvette (Keke Palmer), Sade (Naomi Ackie), and Mariah (Taylour Paige) - a trio of inner-city shoplifters who steal from high-end stores and resell the clothes at discount prices. They go up against a ruthless fashion designer, Christie Smith (Demi Moore), whose empire is built on control and branding. The movie takes a surreal turn when a booster named Jianpu (Poppy Liu) arrives with the ability to teleport clothes, sending the story into a reality-hopping satire of global capitalism.

  • "I Love Boosters" opened at the SXSW Film Festival on March 13, 2026.

The players

Boots Riley

The writer and director of "I Love Boosters," known for his bold, subversive style of filmmaking exemplified in his debut feature "Sorry to Bother You."

Keke Palmer

The lead actress of "I Love Boosters," playing the imperious shoplifter Corvette.

Demi Moore

The actress portraying the monomaniacal fashion designer Christie Smith, the main antagonist of the film.

Naomi Ackie

One of the three lead actresses, playing the leonine sensualist Sade, part of the Velvet Gang.

Taylour Paige

The third member of the Velvet Gang, playing the passive and sly Mariah.

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What they’re saying

“I Love Boosters" has a flaky, what-the-hell-let's-do-this effrontery.”

— Owen Gleiberman, Film Critic (Variety)

The takeaway

Boots Riley's "I Love Boosters" is a bold, unconventional cinematic experience that blends satire, magical realism, and social commentary into a playful provocation about the desperation of consumer culture and the fashion industry's grip on society.