Boots Riley Is Back With I Love Boosters, Which Is Equal Parts Romp and Political Statement

I Love Boosters will be released in theaters on May 22. A cheeky takedown of capitalism served up in signature Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) bizarre fashion, I Love Boosters plays with philosophy and absurdity to unfurl a film that’s equal parts romp and political statement. Sewn into its very fabric (pun so intended) is a brilliantly laid narrative about workers’ rights and the power of collective action. The film opens with Corvette (Keke Palmer) scanning the club for potential customers. See, Corvette and her friends Mariah (Taylour Paige) and Sade (Naomi Ackie) are The Velvet Gang, a crew of “boosters” who steal name brand clothing to sell at slashed prices. “Fashion-forward philanthropy,” as Mariah calls it throughout the film. As is thematic of Riley’s projects, we’re living in a sort of liminal space between the real and surreal here where inane circumstances are played totally straight. A tilted luxury high rise has rooms that are steeply angled, Mariah has the ability to hold her breath in order to turn into a light-skinned version of herself (played by Robin Thede), cartoon physics give “Tom-and-Jerry-take-on-capitalism” vibes, and so on. Meanwhile, an eclectic, pluck