Boots Riley burst onto the scene in 2018 at the Sundance Film Festival with his innovative, eye-opening debut Sorry to Bother You.
Riley’s ability to use absurdist storytelling while layering in sharp political commentary, paired with incredible performances, made it clear a bold new voice had arrived.
Now, eight years later, Riley returns with his second feature, I Love Boosters, and it will not disappoint anyone looking for something unlike anything they’ve seen before.
I Love Boosters follows Keke Palmer as Corvette, a woman with a sharp eye for fashion and a profession of stealing high-dollar items, flipping them, and selling them at accessible prices to the general public—otherwise known as “boosting.”
While the concept is easy to grasp, Riley elevates it. He takes a character driven by a passion for fashion and a mission to disrupt elitist systems, then layers in wild visuals, unpredictable twists, and a climax that will leave you genuinely stunned.
Riley also proves once again he has an incredible eye for casting. Palmer leads as only she can, supported by a stellar ensemble including Taylour Paige, Naomi Ackie, Eiza González, and LaKeith Stanfield. The film also features Demi Moore and Don Cheadle in roles that feel completely unlike anything we’ve seen from them before.
Like Sorry to Bother You, the film exists in a heightened, fantastical world. Though grounded in reality, Riley takes big swings with dreamlike sequences, inventive camera movement, and bold choices… especially in the final act.
All of it works. The film keeps you on edge while delivering something that feels fresh, original, and unapologetically bold.
Its message is also clear and effective, tackling consumerism, material obsession, and class inequality. The commentary hits hard but remains accessible, thanks to Riley’s dynamic filmmaking style.
Seeing it at South by Southwest felt like the perfect environment, the crowd primed and ready for something this wild and inventive.
Riley is a filmmaker with a true vision, one who understands how powerful the medium can be when used to say something meaningful. With two unforgettable films now under his belt, anticipation for what he does next is only growing.
