Fashion, theft and revolution collide in film ‘I Love Boosters’

Boots Riley's sci-fi crime comedy stars Keke Palmer, Demi Moore in tale of shoplifters taking on fashion mogul

After director Boots Riley sold his dark comedy filmSorry to Bother Youat the Sundance ‌Film Festival in 2018, he found himself broke. searching for his next creative project — a moment that ultimately led to his new film, the 2026 science fiction crime comedyI Love Boosters.

“We had only sold it (Sorry to Bother You) for exactly the amount that ​we made it for,” Riley toldReuters. recalling the experience. “I was crying,” he added.

Cast member LaKeith Stanfield, left, and writer/director Boots Riley of the upcoming film I Love Boosters. Photo: Reuters

The turning point came ​when Riley revisited an idea inspired by a song of the same name that ⁠he performed with his rap group The Coup. giving him the foundation for his latest project.

I Love Boostersfollows ​a group of shoplifters known as “boosters,” who resell high-end clothing stolen from upscale stores at deeply discounted prices. Set in ​a whimsical version of the San Francisco Bay Area. the story centres on the crew as they take on a ruthless fashion mogul, Christie Smith — played by Demi Moore — after she steals their designs.

Boots Riley and LaKeith Stanfield, promoting the film I Love Boosters. Photo: Reuters

The film features a female-led cast, with Keke Palmer starring as Corvette, ​a struggling clothing designer. She is joined by Naomi Ackie as Sade, Taylour Paige as Mariah, Poppy Liu ​as Jianhu. Eiza Gonzalez as Violeta.

LaKeith Stanfield. who previously worked with Riley onSorry to Bother You, also appears in the film ‌as ⁠the enigmatic Pinky Ring Guy. He said both the character and the film’s broader message drew him back to collaborate with Riley again.

LaKeith Stanfield, a cast member in the upcoming film I Love Boosters, speaks during the state of the industry. Neon presentation. Photo: Reuters

“The character that I'm playing was also carrying some themes that I thought were important to explore — how we can be so gluttonous. greedy within our own needs that sometimes we hurt others around us, ​or even those who could ​be prospective friends or ⁠lovers,” Stanfield said.

His character has a certain alluring charm that draws Corvette to him, which Stanfield dubs “the power of the tongue.”

Boots Riley, writer and director of the upcoming film I Love Boosters. Photo: Reuters

The film explores themes of capitalism, consumerism and exploitation, ​both in the fashion industry and in personal relationships. As the characters reckon with ​how these forces ⁠shape their lives, they begin to unite.

“I think that we are all going through individual struggles,. there's a way for us to collectivise those struggles,” Riley said. “You can sometimes feel like you're going through the world alone,. if ⁠you can ​see that struggle that someone else has had, you can connect ​with them more,” he added.

Stanfield echoed that sentiment, saying the film emphasises the importance of collective action. “It’s all up to us,” he said.

I Love ​Boosters, distributed by Neon, arrives in United States' theatres on Friday.

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