Filmmaker Boots Riley, known for his impactful 2018 debut Sorry to Bother You, is back with his eagerly awaited second feature, I Love Boosters. The film, centered on a group of expert shoplifters targeting a powerful fashion tycoon, stars Keke Palmer in a leading role, highlighting the highly anticipated Keke Palmer heist comedy.
Ensemble Cast and Collaborative Team Behind the Film
I Love Boosters features a strong ensemble cast including Naomi Ackie, LaKeith Stanfield, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. Riley continues as both writer and director, maintaining his signature style of socially conscious, provocative storytelling. The movie reunites Riley with LaKeith Stanfield, who starred in his first feature, affirming their ongoing creative partnership. Neon is producing and financing the project alongside producers Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett from Ryder Picture Company, and Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read representing Savage Rose Films. Executive producers include Mike Jackman, Gus Deardoff, Ken Kao, and Josh Rosenbaum.
Premiere and Release Plans Announced
I Love Boosters is set to premiere as the opening night film of the 40th South by Southwest (SXSW) Film and Television Festival in Austin, marking a significant return for Riley to the city where he launched his feature filmmaking career. The placement at SXSW reflects the festival’s continued support for Riley’s distinct and politically engaged voice in cinema. Following its premiere, the film is scheduled for theatrical release on May 22.
Director’s Track Record and Film’s Anticipated Impact
Boots Riley has established himself as a filmmaker unafraid to challenge social norms, blending satire with surreal elements, as seen in Sorry to Bother You and his Amazon series I Am A Virgo. I Love Boosters promises to extend this approach, using the medium of a heist comedy to explore themes of power and resistance. With Keke Palmer’s dynamic presence leading the cast, this film could further push conversations around societal inequality in a darkly humorous way.
