Keke Palmer is back on the big screen, and this time, she’s leading a crew with style, strategy and a shared mission that feels less criminal and more corrective.
Neon released the first trailer Tuesday, Jan. 27, for I Love Boosters, an ensemble comedy that blends fashion-world satire with a sharp-edged heist setup. The film stars Palmer, 32, alongside Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, LaKeith Stanfield, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle and Demi Moore.
At the center of the story is a group of seasoned shoplifters who target a powerful fashion figure known for exploiting others. According to the film’s synopsis, their latest job isn’t about greed, it’s about balance. Think less smash-and-grab, more moral accounting.
Boots Riley Returns to Satire
I Love Boosters marks the first feature from writer-director Boots Riley since his 2018 debut, Sorry to Bother You, a film that became a cultural flashpoint for its surreal take on race, capitalism and corporate culture. That earlier project starred Stanfield and earned Riley the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature in 2019.
Riley’s latest appears to continue his interest in systems of power, though this time filtered through couture, clout and carefully planned theft. The trailer leans into heightened personalities and absurd situations without tipping fully into chaos, a tonal shift that suggests Riley is evolving his approach rather than repeating it.
A Cast Built for Chaos
The ensemble is stacked with performers known for tonal range, and Riley has made it clear that at least one casting choice was meant to be a reveal. When the film’s poster dropped Monday, Jan. 26, Riley confirmed Don Cheadle’s involvement with a blunt Instagram caption announcing that the secret was officially out.
Cheadle joins a lineup that already reads like a festival wish list, pairing comedic instincts with dramatic weight. Demi Moore’s presence adds another layer of intrigue, marking her first film role since her acclaimed turn in 2024’s The Substance, which earned multiple awards and a late-career reassessment.
A New Chapter for Palmer
For Palmer, I Love Boosters is her first theatrical release slated for 2026. The project follows a packed 2025 that included roles in One of Them Days, The Pickup and Good Fortune. Here, she steps into leadership mode, anchoring a story that thrives on chemistry rather than a single standout performance.
Palmer’s recent run has leaned into range, comedy, drama and everything between, making her a natural fit for Riley’s world, where timing matters as much as message.
Festival Debut and Release Plans
I Love Boosters will premiere at SXSW on March 12, according to Deadline, before landing in theaters nationwide on May 22. With its mix of social commentary, fashion satire and ensemble energy, the film is positioned as a buzzy spring release that could resonate beyond the indie crowd.
Whether audiences view it as a crime caper, a cultural critique or both, I Love Boosters is shaping up to be a stylish entry in Riley’s growing body of work, and another reminder that Palmer remains one of the most adaptable leads working today.
