Keke Palmer Leads Heist Comedy 'I Love Boosters' from 'Sorry to Bother You' Director Boots Riley

The film, which also stars LaKeith Stanfield, Naomi Ackie, and Don Cheadle, will open the 40th South by Southwest Film and Television Festival.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:47pm

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Seven years after his acclaimed debut 'Sorry to Bother You,' filmmaker Boots Riley is returning with his highly anticipated sophomore feature 'I Love Boosters,' a heist comedy centered on a crew of professional shoplifters who target a ruthless fashion mogul. The film features an ensemble cast led by Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie, alongside LaKeith Stanfield, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Don Cheadle and Demi Moore.

Why it matters

Riley's debut 'Sorry to Bother You' established him as a filmmaker unafraid to blend satire with surreal, often dissonant ideas, and his Amazon series 'I Am A Virgo' further cemented his reputation for politically charged, genre-defying storytelling. 'I Love Boosters' marks another collaboration with Neon and reunites Riley with actor LaKeith Stanfield.

The details

The film follows a crew of professional shoplifters who target a ruthless fashion mogul. Riley again serves as writer and director, continuing the socially conscious, boundary-pushing approach that defined his previous works. 'I Love Boosters' will make its world premiere as the opening night film of the South by Southwest Film and Television Festival's 40th edition, bringing Riley back to Austin, where he first debuted as a feature filmmaker.

  • The film will release in theaters on May 22, 2026.
  • 'I Love Boosters' will make its world premiere as the opening night film of the South by Southwest Film and Television Festival's 40th edition.

The players

Boots Riley

The writer and director of 'I Love Boosters' and the acclaimed 2018 film 'Sorry to Bother You'.

Keke Palmer

The lead actress in 'I Love Boosters', known for her roles in films like 'Hustlers' and 'Nope'.

LaKeith Stanfield

An actor who has collaborated with Boots Riley before and is part of the ensemble cast of 'I Love Boosters'.

Neon

The production company behind 'I Love Boosters' and previous Boots Riley film 'Sorry to Bother You'.

South by Southwest Film and Television Festival

The festival where 'I Love Boosters' will make its world premiere as the opening night film for the 40th edition.

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What’s next

The film will release in theaters on May 22, 2026 after premiering at the South by Southwest Film and Television Festival.

The takeaway

Boots Riley continues to push boundaries with his socially conscious, genre-defying storytelling, reuniting with collaborators like LaKeith Stanfield and Neon to deliver another highly anticipated film that is sure to generate buzz at its SXSW premiere and beyond.