by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
The second I saw the trailer for I Love Boosters — the bright colors, chaotic energy, stacked cast, and knowing it came from Boots Riley — I was in. Add Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Lakeith Stanfield, and Demi Moore to the mix? My expectations were already high. Thankfully, Boots Riley once again proves that no one is operating quite like him because I Love Boosters absolutely delivers.
Set in San Francisco, the film follows Corvette, Sade, and Mariah (Palmer, Ackie, and Paige), a trio of shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang. They target Metro Design stores owned by fashion mogul Chrisette Smith (Demi Moore), stealing luxury clothes and redistributing them back into the community at a fraction of the price. Eventually, they cross paths with Jianhu (Poppy Liu), a stranger carrying her own mission and reasons for joining the chaos.
This movie is weird. Not “quirky” weird. Boots Riley weird. The kind of weird where a slanted apartment building turns into something straight out of Looney Tunes and you’re sitting there laughing because you genuinely cannot believe what you’re watching. But beneath all the absurdity is a story tackling capitalism, class, greed, loneliness, and community through Riley’s usual surrealist lens. It’s funny, chaotic, and somehow still thoughtful underneath all the madness.
Keke Palmer is fantastic as Corvette, a struggling designer drowning in debt and trying desperately not to disappear into loneliness. Palmer’s comedic timing is, as always, impeccable, but what really surprised me were the quieter moments. Corvette isn’t just the loud, funny center of the film — she’s vulnerable, exhausted, and carrying more than she lets on. Palmer gives her depth without losing the chaos that makes the character fun.
Naomi Ackie continues proving she can do everything. As Sade, she’s the practical one, the voice of reason, always ready with a plan or hustle. Ackie has this way of commanding attention whenever she’s on screen and she does it again here effortlessly. Taylour Paige looked like she was having the time of her life as Mariah, especially during one particular scene involving one of her “special talents” that absolutely killed me. I honestly just wanted more of her.
Poppy Liu fits right into Riley’s strange world, while Demi Moore goes fully into the delusional, larger-than-life villain role as Chrisette Smith. She’s ridiculous, frustrating, hilarious, and exactly what the movie needs.
But my favorite? Lakeith Stanfield as Pinkie Ring Guy. Does the character need to exist? Probably not. Am I glad he does? Absolutely. Every second he’s on-screen works, and his Target story alone is worth the price of admission. I just wish we got more of him.
The score deserves its own shoutout too. Experimental, infectious, strange in all the right ways — there were multiple moments where I caught myself nodding along.
At its core, I Love Boosters is a revenge story dressed up as sci-fi satire, but underneath it all it’s really about connection, taking chances, and people finding purpose together. It’s loud, stylish, ridiculous, heartfelt, and bursting with imagination.
People keep saying they want original movies again. Well, here you go. Hollywood finally listened again. Support this film. Go see it in theaters. And if it isn’t playing near you? Start asking questions because I Love Boosters is not one to miss.
Rating: Loved It
I Love Boosters is currently in theaters.
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