Fashion, theft and revolution collide in film ‘I Love Boosters’

After director Boots Riley sold his dark comedy film “Sorry to Bother You” at Sundance Film Festival in 2018, he found himself broke and searching for his next creative project -- a moment that ultimately led to his new film, the 2026 science fiction crime comedy “I Love Boosters.”

“We had only sold it ("Sorry to Bother You") for exactly the amount that we made it for,” Riley told Reuters, recalling the experience. “I was crying,” he added.

The turning point came when Riley revisited an idea inspired by a song of the same name that he performed with his rap group The Coup, giving him the foundation for his latest project.

“I Love Boosters” follows a group of shoplifters known as “boosters,” who resell high-end clothing stolen from upscale stores at deeply discounted prices.

Set in a whimsical version of the San Francisco Bay Area, the story centers on the crew as they take on a ruthless fashion mogul, Christie Smith — played by Demi Moore — after she steals their designs.

The film features a female-led cast, with Keke Palmer starring as Corvette, a struggling clothing designer. She is joined by Naomi Ackie as Sade, Taylour Paige as Mariah, Poppy Liu as Jianhu and Eiza Gonzalez as Violeta.

LaKeith Stanfield, who previously worked with Riley on “Sorry to Bother You,” also appears in the film as the enigmatic Pinky Ring Guy. He said both the character and the film’s broader message drew him back to collaborate with Riley again.

“The character that I'm playing was also carrying some themes that I thought were important to explore — how we can be so gluttonous and greedy within our own needs that sometimes we hurt others around us, or even those who could be prospective friends or lovers,” Stanfield said.

His character has a certain alluring charm that draws Corvette to him, which Stanfield dubs “the power of the tongue.”

The film explores themes of capitalism, consumerism and exploitation, both in the fashion industry and in personal relationships. As the characters reckon with how these forces shape their lives, they begin to unite.

“I think that we are all going through individual struggles, and there's a way for us to collectivize those struggles,” Riley said.

“You can sometimes feel like you're going through the world alone, but if you can see that struggle that someone else has had, you can connect with them more,” he added.

Stanfield echoed that sentiment, saying the film emphasizes the importance of collective action.

“It’s all up to us,” he said.

“I Love Boosters,” distributed by Neon, arrives in US theaters on Friday.