It was just last week that NEON boss Tom Quinn was hyping up Boots Riley’s “I Love Boosters” and hinting at a potential awards run in the fall. It makes sense: the film is NEON’s most expensive ever, with a budget of $20M. But raising our expectations like that was bound to disappoint.
“I Love Boosters” screened at SXSW last night, and the reviews aren’t as glowing as Riley’s delirious debut, 2018’s “Sorry to Bother You,” but are mostly positive. IndieWire (B), The Film Stage (B), RogerEbert (B), Screen Rant (7/10), JoBlo (7/10), Rolling Stone (mixed), Variety (mixed). Only THR, and The Wrap regarded it as above average.
“I Love Boosters” stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, and Taylour Paige, along with Demi Moore and LaKeith Stanfield. The story centers on a ring of female shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang, led by Corvette. They survive by “boosting” clothing from department stores. Their next target, however, is the CEO of a designer brand who has stolen Corvette’s idea—prompting her to seek payback and inadvertently ignite a “revolution.”
Honestly, the reviews have my curiosity piqued. More than a few write-ups have used the words “crazy,” “original,” and “wild” to describe “I Love Boosters”—music to my ears. I expected nothing less from Riley. The film is slated for a May 22, 2026 release via NEON and just opened the 40th SXSW Film Festival.