Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Drama
Directed by: Boots Riley
Starring: Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, Demi Moore
Release Date: May 22, 2026
Platform: Theatrical
Rating: 4/5
By Crystal Justine
“Any lover of cinema can’t help but respect his unapologetically weird approach to storytelling.”
If you want to say, “What the f*ck did I just watch?!”, I LOVE BOOSTERS might just be the film for you. Written and directed by Boots Riley, this movie is memorable, to say the least. From the colorful world he builds to the variety of unique ways the story is told, it’s the type of film you won’t be able to forget. NEON has done it again by adding another outrageously entertaining work of art to its filmography.
The story follows a group of female shoplifters who target the high-end clothing stores of a fashion mogul, reselling the goods at a lower price. This premise may sound simple, but Riley makes it more complex and creative than anyone could have expected, even if you’ve seen his prior works like Sorry to Bother You or I’m a Virgo. Not only is the way the story unravels completely eccentric, but it’s poignant in how it examines capitalism, the exploitation of the working class, and the importance of solidarity against oppressors. Its core themes make for genuinely thought-provoking post-credit conversations.
An easy standout is the incredible ensemble cast. The boosters are comprised of star-studded female powerhouses Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu and Eiza Gonzalez. Each actress brings personality, emotionality and presence to the big screen. Palmer leads the group with ease through a series of wild and unexpected events, but each one of them holds their own when it comes to talent. The supporting cast is equally noteworthy with Demi Moore as an antagonistic fashion designer, Will Poulter as a sassy retail manager and LaKeith Stanfield as a very different type of demonic. Every actor seems to be having a genuinely good time, and by all accounts during the run of the press tour, the cast gave full credit to Riley.
The design of I LOVE BOOSTERS is magically strange. Color is used with real intention across the set design, hair, makeup and costumes — right up there with the likes of The Grand Budapest Hotel or Speed Racer, with each scene feeling like its own work of art. The film is beautifully crafted but also ventures into surrealism with the use of absurd stop-motion animation and miniatures. Some may find the chaos entertaining, while others may see the mix of styles as jarring.
One aspect that feels more of a miss than a hit is the sound and music. The original songs by Keke Palmer don’t always seem to fit, and some of the scores mixed with the sound design can feel a bit overwhelming at times. There are songs that really enhance the film, like “Hi Ho,” but others create more of a disconnect that push certain scenes to the edge of being too much. Thankfully, the filmmaking is strong enough everywhere else to keep the audience locked in throughout.
Every year brings more complaints about the lack of original movies, but I LOVE BOOSTERS defies the expectations of your everyday formulaic Hollywood film. Riley delivers a cinematic fever dream with a joyful aesthetic and a profound message wrapped in humor, culture and wit. There is no shortage of imagination when it comes to a Boots Riley film, and any lover of cinema can’t help but respect his unapologetically weird approach to storytelling. To some, this will be a masterpiece showing the power of solidarity. To others, it will simply be confusing chaos. The only way to know which side you fall on is to go see it for yourself.
