#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 what he believes to be his best work. And it is hard to argue with him. The story he tells here with the Ensemble he’s assembled, and his signature style in direction are all on full display in I Love Boosters, taking the audience on a thrilling ride with 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 they are “low class urban bitches”. So, they ‘boost’ the clothes in what is referred to as FFF (fashion forward (F)philanthropy) and sell it at a lower cost. 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 sight. 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 Eliza Gonzalez (Violeta) who wants more rights across the board for her job and also has a beef with Christie over this, but they don’t accept her help.

Before the Velvet Gang pull-off their heist, the store is robbed by Jianhu (Poppy Liu) who when confronted, explains her story. We learn that she and her friend found a teleporter that the factory manufacturing Christie Smith‘s clothing in China was working on, and stole it. They also want more workers rights and fairness, so she is also determined to hit Christie where it hurts, so Jianhu and the Velvet Gang work together, to truly show Christie Smith the power they possess, halting her production and emptying her wallet on the grandest stage. No more spoilers. Expect the unexpected, prepare to be amazed and dazzled by the creative madness that Riley injects directly into your veins.

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 perfectly to a tee, while Stanfield in a supporting role is excellent as the mysterious interest that continues to pop up and steal every scene he is in as well.  Moore as the persistent designer who refuses to take no for an answer, willing to do what it takes to remain on-top, is a great villain, with the depth and understanding to her character that is thanks to Riley‘s  Script. The remainder of the Ensemble also are fantastic and we expect no less of this group.

If you’ve never seen Riley’s work, expect the unexpected. There is nothing predictable about I Love Boosters.  there is just so much to unpack and unfold in how remarkable it is, and only Riley himself could tell this story. So make sure you check out I Love Boosters when it comes out, bring your own Velvet Gang to check out this new masterpiece from one of the most inventive minds in Cinema.

Elevation Pictures releases I Love Boosters in theatres on Friday, May 22, 2026.