Keke Palmer Stars in Boots Riley’s New Movie

Seven years after his acclaimed debut “Sorry to Bother You,” filmmaker Boots Riley is returning with his highly anticipated sophomore feature.

Neon has released the first trailer for “I Love Boosters,” a heist comedy centered on a crew of professional shoplifters who target a ruthless fashion mogul. The film features an ensemble cast led by Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie, alongside LaKeith Stanfield, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Don Cheadle and Demi Moore.

Riley again serves as writer and director, continuing the socially conscious, boundary-pushing approach that defined his 2018 SXSW breakout “Sorry to Bother You.” That film, which starred Stanfield alongside Tessa Thompson, established Riley as a filmmaker unafraid to blend satire with surreal, often dissonant ideas. In 2023, his Amazon series “I Am A Virgo” further cemented his reputation for politically charged, genre-defying storytelling.

“I Love Boosters” reunites Riley with Stanfield and marks another collaboration with Neon, which is producing and financing the project. Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett are producing for Ryder Picture Company, joined by Allison Rose Carter and Jon Read of Savage Rose Films. Executive producers include Mike Jackman, Gus Deardoff, and Waypoint’s Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum.

“I Love Boosters” will make its world premiere as the opening night film of the South by Southwest Film and Television Festival’s 40th edition, bringing Riley back to Austin, where he first debuted as a feature filmmaker. The opening slot underscores the festival’s continued relationship with Riley.

“I Love Boosters” will release in theaters on May 22.

Watch the teaser trailer below.