I Love Boosters
Boots Riley's chaotic follow-up to Sorry to Bother You about shoplifting crew
The brief
Boots Riley follows up Sorry to Bother You with another wildly uneven anticapitalist romp that throws everything at the wall to see what sticks. Keke Palmer brings fierce charisma to the leader of this shoplifting crew, but the film buckles under its own ambitious scope as it lurches from grounded social commentary into supernatural absurdity without earning the tonal shifts. The Oakland setting crackles with energy in the early scenes, but once the "time-bending technology" kicks in, it feels like Riley lost faith in his more interesting ideas about consumer culture and class warfare. Perfect for anyone who loved Sorry to Bother You's swing-for-the-fences approach, but newcomers might want to start with Riley's debut instead.
The verdict
If you have a high tolerance for messy, ambitious filmmaking and loved Sorry to Bother You's chaotic energy, this is a wild ride worth taking for Keke Palmer's magnetic performance alone. If you prefer coherent storytelling or are new to Boots Riley's style, the tonal whiplash and supernatural detours will likely leave you frustrated rather than entertained.
Watch with
- 👥 Friends who love messy, ambitious filmmaking
- ⚠️ Anyone expecting straightforward storytelling
Heads up
- Criminal activity and theft throughout (frequent)
- Class conflict and social inequality themes (moderate)
- Supernatural/sci-fi elements in final act (brief)
Credits
- Director
- Boots Riley
- Cast
- Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield
Official synopsis
A fearless crew of inventive young women turns shoplifting into a radical act of defiance. Led by Corvette, they move across Oakland, boosting coveted goods as both survival and protest—challenging a system built on exclusion and excess. They even offer a community service, selling their stolen wares at deep discounts to make fashion accessible to all. When their exploits draw unwanted viral attention and their feud with fashion mogul Christie Smith turns personal, the Boosters plan one final, audacious heist. Joined by unexpected allies wielding supernatural powers and time-bending technology, they discover a chance to ignite revolutionary change.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Point Break (1991)
Both celebrate outlaw crews using crime as rebellion against corporate systems.
Total runtime: 1h 45m + 2h 2m = 3h 47m
