#REVIEW: “I LOVE BOOSTERS”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

Boots Riley continues to make impactful conversation pieces. His 2018 film Sorry to Bother You and series I’m A Virgo (2023) are the work of a master. His newest feature, as Riley himself has said, is his best work. And it is hard to argue with him. The story he tells here in I LOVE BOOSTERS with the Ensemble he’s assembled along with his signature style in direction, truly takes the audience on a thrilling ride with fearless The Velvet Gang.

I Love Boosters focuses on Corvette (Keke Palmer), Mariah (Taylor Paige), and Sade (Naomi Ackie) – The Velvet Gang. They are determined to take down exploitative Christie Smith (Demi Moore) and her empire of unaffordable fashion, fueled by Smith’s proclamation that they are “low class urban bitches”. They ‘boost’ the clothes in what is referred to as FFF (fashion forward (F)philanthropy) and sell it at a lower cost as an act of rebellion. At one of their outposts, this is where Corvette meets Pinky Ring Guy (LaKeith Stanfield) who plays a mysterious character, who is just simply drawn to Corvette and does not want to let her out of his sights. While all of this is happening, the Velvet Gang get jobs at one of Christie’s stores so they can pull off the ultimate heist. Along with them is their co-worker Eiza González (Violeta), who wants more rights across the board at her job, also having a beef with Smith over this – but they don’t accept her help.

Before the Velvet Gang embark on their heist, Jianhu (Poppy Liu) beats them to the punch. After being confronted by the girls, we learn that Jianhu and her friend find a teleporter which the factory manufacturing Smith‘s clothing in China, were secretly working on, and they steal it. They too want more workers’ rights, so she also is invested in Smith‘s downfall.  Jianhu and the Velvet Gang work together to overthrrow Smith, halting her production and draining her wallet on the biggest stage. No more spoilers.

In both of Riley’s films, the movies live and die by the Cast and their performances. They need to have everyone on their A-game and deliver incredible performances. Thankfully, the crème of the crop is enlisted in I Love Boosters, with the standout being Palmer’s Corvette being a certified scene-stealer and owning the character to a tee, while Stanfield, reuniting with Riley, in a supporting role is excellent as the mysterious entity who continues to pop-up and steal every scene he is in as well.  Moore as a ruthless designer who refuses to take no for an answer, is a great villain. She brings depth and understanding of her character with the help of Riley‘s fantastic Script. The remainder of the Ensemble, including Paige, Ackie, Liu and González, also are fantastic. We expect no less of this group.

If you’ve never seen Riley’s work, expect the unexpected. Be ready to be dazzled by the mad genius that Riley injects directly into your veins. There is so much to unpack here, and only Riley himself could tell this story. A perfect movie to see with your own Velvet Gang.

Elevation Pictures release I LOVE BOOSTERS in theatres on Friday, May 22, 2026.