Award-winning filmmaker Boots Riley—best known for his genre-bending satire Sorry to Bother You (2018) and the surreal Prime Video series I’m a Virgo (2023)—is back with another subversive vision. His latest project, I Love Boosters, will officially release in theatres on May 22, 2026, and it already promises to be one of next year’s most daring and conversation-sparking films.
The first image from the movie shows Keke Palmer, Taylour Paige, and Naomi Ackie dressed in bright yellow outfits, staring at something off-screen with a mix of confusion and defiance. The striking colour palette and body language hint at Riley’s signature mix of absurdist comedy, social critique, and visual flamboyance.
According to the film’s official logline, I Love Boosters follows “a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven.” It’s a sharp premise that positions the story somewhere between a heist comedy, a class satire, and an anarchic social statement.
I Love Boosters – Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | I Love Boosters |
| Director/Writer | Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You, I’m a Virgo) |
| Genre | Satirical Comedy / Heist / Social Commentary |
| Main Cast | Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie, LaKeith Stanfield, Eiza González, Poppy Liu, Will Poulter |
| Producers | Aaron Ryder, Andrew Swet, Allison Rose Carter, Jon Read |
| Production Companies | Good Chaos, Stigma Films, Nine Hours |
| U.S. Release Date | May 22, 2026 |
| Distribution | Theatrical (Global) |
| Setting | Urban fashion world – likely New York or Los Angeles |
| Tone | Bold, humorous, politically charged |
A Star-Studded Cast with Flair and Fire
One of the biggest reasons I Love Boosters is already creating buzz is its exceptional ensemble cast — a cross-section of Hollywood’s most charismatic performers.
- Keke Palmer, fresh off her acclaimed roles in Nope (2022) and Hustlers (2019), headlines the film. Her electric energy and comedic timing make her a perfect fit for Riley’s high-concept storytelling.
- Demi Moore, a Hollywood icon who recently wowed audiences in The Substance (2024), plays an as-yet-undisclosed but reportedly powerful fashion figure.
- Naomi Ackie, known for I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17, brings emotional gravity and sharp wit to the group.
- Taylour Paige (Zola, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) continues her streak of fearless performances, likely as one of the film’s fashion-world rebels.
- LaKeith Stanfield, a longtime collaborator of offbeat filmmakers (Atlanta, Judas and the Black Messiah), reunites with Riley after Sorry to Bother You in what fans expect to be another standout role.
- Supporting stars Eiza González, Poppy Liu, and Will Poulter round out an already dynamic cast with humor and dramatic nuance.
Riley’s casting philosophy—championing actors with both range and ideological resonance—ensures that each performer feels part of the message, not just the narrative.
Plot Themes: A Satirical Take on Fashion, Theft, and Power
At its heart, I Love Boosters seems poised to blend heist comedy with sharp cultural critique. The word “booster” in urban slang refers to someone who steals luxury goods from retail stores—an act Riley turns into metaphor.
The “boosters” in the film don’t just want expensive clothes—they want revenge against an exploitative system built on wealth inequality, unpaid labor, and image obsession. Their target: a ruthless fashion mogul (believed to be played by Demi Moore), whose empire thrives on hypocrisy and social manipulation.
Boots Riley, in an earlier interview about the film’s tone, said:
“It’s not just about stealing stuff. It’s about stealing back time, dignity, and creativity that capitalism has taken from us.”
Expect the film to weave political subtext into wild comedy—much like Sorry to Bother You, which skewered corporate greed through surreal sci-fi absurdity.
Visual Style and Direction
From the first-look image, I Love Boosters already exudes Riley’s signature visual boldness. The use of bright yellow costumes—an unusual, almost uniform-like aesthetic—suggests the story’s protagonists operate as both a team and a movement.
The director is known for mixing magical realism with vibrant set design and exaggerated framing. Fans can expect neon-drenched retail spaces, slow-motion heist sequences, and stylized protest scenes that blur the line between rebellion and performance art.
The costume department, rumoured to include designer Arianne Phillips (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), reportedly collaborated with emerging fashion houses to create looks inspired by both high couture and streetwear theft culture.
Boots Riley’s Filmmaking Signature vs. What to Expect in I Love Boosters?
| Boots Riley Trademark | Manifestation in I Love Boosters |
|---|---|
| Satirical storytelling | Sharp critique of consumerism and fashion capitalism |
| Surreal world-building | Exaggerated retail landscapes and dreamlike heist scenes |
| Ensemble casts of outsiders | Shoplifters turned revolutionaries |
| Music-driven narrative | Likely an original hip-hop/funk soundtrack curated by Riley |
| Political subtext | Themes of anti-corporate resistance and creative autonomy |
From Sorry to Bother You to I Love Boosters: A Creative Evolution
Riley’s debut film Sorry to Bother You (2018) redefined modern satire, blending absurdism, racial commentary, and class struggle. His follow-up series I’m a Virgo (2023) expanded that world into TV, earning praise for its humor and heart.
With I Love Boosters, Riley appears to be entering his most ambitious phase yet—melding feminist rebellion, racial critique, and economic commentary through the lens of pop culture and fashion. The presence of powerhouse female leads like Palmer, Moore, and Paige underscores the film’s intersectional storytelling, where identity and protest are inseparable.
Film critic Jada Thompson commented:
“Riley is the only director right now who can turn retail theft into an allegory for economic justice—and make it hilarious.”
Demi Moore’s Cinematic Comeback
After earning critical acclaim for her intense, body-horror performance in The Substance, Demi Moore is entering a new creative chapter. I Love Boosters marks her return to ensemble comedy—but with Riley’s twist of chaos and conscience.
Industry insiders speculate that Moore’s role might mirror Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly—a cold, commanding industry titan—but filtered through Riley’s satirical lens. If true, this could be one of her most daring performances yet.
Why Fans Are Excited?
The combination of Boots Riley’s unapologetic political voice, Keke Palmer’s star power, and Demi Moore’s legendary presence is already generating award-season buzz. The movie’s May 2026 release date strategically positions it for summer blockbuster status—something rarely achieved by socially conscious indie productions.
Moreover, early test screenings reportedly highlight the film’s balance between laugh-out-loud moments and deeply emotional undertones—a hallmark of Riley’s filmmaking ethos.
Conclusion
I Love Boosters is shaping up to be one of 2026’s most original films—a heist comedy that doubles as a cultural mirror. With its commentary on fashion exploitation, class hierarchy, and performative consumerism, Boots Riley appears ready to deliver another genre-defying hit.
“Boots Riley doesn’t make movies to entertain you,” said pop-culture journalist Clara Barnes. “He makes movies to wake you up—and then make you laugh while you’re thinking.”
Audiences can expect a smart, stylish, and socially charged ride when I Love Boosters hits theatres on May 22, 2026.
FAQs
The film will release globally in theatres on May 22, 2026.
It’s written and directed by Boots Riley, best known for Sorry to Bother You and I’m a Virgo.
The movie follows a group of shoplifters who target a ruthless fashion mogul, blending heist comedy with biting social commentary.
The cast includes Keke Palmer, Demi Moore, Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie, LaKeith Stanfield, Eiza González, Poppy Liu, and Will Poulter.
Riley combines surreal visuals, political satire, and musical storytelling to critique capitalism and celebrate rebellion through humor.
