Trailer Release Ignites Buzz for Boots Riley's 'I Love Boosters,' Starring Keke Palmer and Stellar Ensemble

The release of the first teaser trailer for "I Love Boosters" on January 27, 2026, has generated significant excitement among film enthusiasts, highlighting director Boots Riley's return to feature filmmaking after his acclaimed debut "Sorry to Bother You" in 2018. The colorful, eccentric trailer, distributed by Neon, teases a surreal narrative centered on a group of female shoplifters known as the Velvet Gang, who "boost" clothing from department stores and sell it at discounts.

In the story, the gang, led by the character Corvette , sets its sights on the CEO of a designer brand after she steals Corvette's idea, sparking an unintended revolution laced with sci-fi elements. The trailer features playful dialogue, such as a character describing boosting as "triple fashion forward philanthropy" and "community service," underscoring the film's satirical take on consumerism and class dynamics. Another line highlights tension with the fashion executive, who refers to the boosters derogatorily as "low class urban ," setting up themes of retaliation and social commentary.

Keke Palmer leads the ensemble as Corvette, joined by Naomi Ackie as Sade, Taylour Paige as Mariah, and supporting actors including Don Cheadle, Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Eiza González, Jason Ritter, Poppy Liu, Kerris Dorsey, and Kara Young. Palmer, known for her versatile roles in films like "Nope" and "Hustlers," brings star power to the project, while Ackie and Paige add depth to the all-women-led heist crew.

Riley, who wrote and directed the film, is also producing alongside Aaron Ryder, Andrew Swet, Allison Rose Carter, and Jon Read. Cinematographer Natasha Braier captured the 105-minute feature in Atlanta in late 2024. This marks Riley's follow-up to his 2024 Amazon series "I Am Virgo," which also premiered at SXSW and echoed his signature style of surreal messaging.

"I Love Boosters" is scheduled to open the 40th SXSW Film Festival on March 1, 2026, providing a high-profile platform for its premiere before hitting theaters nationwide on May 22, 2026. The trailer's madcap energy, blending humor, fashion critique, and revolutionary undertones, positions the film as a potential standout in Riley's oeuvre, building on the buzz from his Sundance breakthrough.

While the trailer does not explicitly feature LGBTQ+ characters or storylines based on available details, the film's diverse cast—including Black women leads like Palmer, Ackie, and Paige—aligns with inclusive representation in Hollywood narratives challenging corporate power structures. Riley's history of bold social commentary, as seen in "Sorry to Bother You," suggests potential for broader cultural resonance within marginalized communities, though specific community responses to the trailer remain forthcoming. No official statements from LGBTQ+ organizations have surfaced yet regarding the project, but its emphasis on female empowerment and anti-elite satire could foster positive engagement from affirming audiences.

The trailer's rapid rollout coincides with heightened anticipation for SXSW, where Riley previously debuted "I Am Virgo," reinforcing his affinity for the festival. As coverage spreads across outlets like JoBlo Movie Network and Dark Horizons, the project underscores ongoing demand for Riley's unique voice in cinema.