“I Love Boosters” Is An Insane Sci-Fi Fashion Fever Dream — But Is It Worth Watching? My Full Review

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Watching I Love Boosters feels a whole lot like walking through an abstract art exhibit with a friend who loves streetwear fashion, hates capitalism, desperately wants you to question society, and is absolutely 100% high AF. And yes … I do mean that as a compliment. But is I Love Boosters actually worth watching? Well … that may depend on what YOU enjoy. So keep reading to find out …

Is I Love Boosters Worth Watching?

Yes — but only if you understand what kind of movie this actually is.

If you’re expecting a fast-paced action heist film because of the trailers, you may leave a tad bit disappointed. I Love Boosters is much more artsy, surrealist, dialogue-heavy, and socially aware than the marketing makes it seem.

However, if you LOVE weird Black sci-fi, experimental filmmaking, fashion-forward visuals, social commentary, Boots Riley’s work in general, and movies that feel completely unlike anything else in theaters right now … this might absolutely be the one for you.

I Love Boosters feels like it was made specifically for creative people with loud imaginations.

So … Here’s What I Love Boosters Is Actually About (No Spoilers)

I Love Boosters follows a group of “boosters,” aka professional shoplifters — who are trying to “stick it to the man” (or in this case, woman) due to impossible beauty standards, and absurd workplace expectations. The film blends sci-fi, satire, comedy, fashion, surrealism, and social commentary together into something that feels intriguing, but occasionally overwhelming.

Here’s What Works

The creativity is absolutely insane …

Nobody makes movies like Boots Riley. Nobody. Although Juel Taylor’s “They Cloned Tyrone” and Jordan Peele have made quite a name for themselves in their own lanes.

Yet no one is as insane as Riley, and I think that’s part of the magic for this film.

From a clothing store that changes its chromatic colors monthly, to teleportation, soul-sucking demons, and Olympic-level running due to 30-second lunch breaks. The ideas in this movie never stop coming.

Even when a scene doesn’t fully land emotionally, the creativity behind it is impossible to ignore!

I Love Boosters feels like an NYC streetwear runway outfit, with a mixture of fabrics, textures, colors, and patterns that should absolutely not work together — but somehow looks amazing once you put it on.

The film feels like …

• Barbie
• Men in Black
• The Fifth Element
• The Blackening
• and Sorry to Bother You

… all got thrown into a blender together. And somehow … it works.

The social commentary is smart without feeling preachy …

One thing Boots Riley consistently does well is dissect systems without loudly screaming the message directly at the audience. Underneath all the weirdness, I Love Boosters explores:

• consumerism
• fashion exploitation
• retail theft
• workplace abuse
• image obsession
• capitalism
• beauty standards
• race
• and the pressure to constantly reinvent yourself

The film especially shines when it explores how Black women are treated inside luxury retail spaces and how larger fashion brands profit from exploitation while pretending to sell status and individuality.

There’s also commentary about how major fashion houses steal ideas from smaller creatives while underpaying the workers actually making the products.

The production design and costumes are incredible …

The costumes in this film deserve their own standing ovation.

At first, I was actually disappointed because the trailers and posters made me expect bolder, brighter cinematography immediately. The beginning of the movie feels muddled and muted visually.

Which I have to assume was done on purpose.

But once the film settles into its rhythm, the production design becomes one of its biggest strengths, and it pairs well with the colorful costumes. Little details like the colorful solo cups, and an awkward leaning building meant to be luxurious stood out to me.

The casting is perfect

The acting itself almost becomes secondary because the casting is so good.

And I know everyone is dying to see Keke Palmer in this, but Will Poulter might honestly be the standout here because he fully commits to the ridiculousness of his character without making it feel forced. LaKeith Stanfield continues proving nobody plays “strange man with unsettling energy” better than him. And Poppy Liu was such a good addition to this cast. I’m genuinely glad the film chose someone with a more grounded comedic style over the exaggerated performances of a certain actress we shall not name, as that would’ve pushed this movie completely over the edge.

Now … Here’s What Doesn’t Work

The beginning is too slow …

My biggest issue with I Love Boosters is that it takes way too long to become the chaotic and interesting story that was presented in its final act. Which was genuinely wild in the very best way.

As we know, I’m personally not a “wait until the end for the payoff” girlie.

I like art that grabs me immediately. So while the first half has plenty of creativity, it sometimes feels more quirky than emotionally engaging.

And sometimes the weirdness overpowers the story …

This movie constantly walks the line between “creative genius” and “what the hell is happening right now?” Sometimes that balance works beautifully. Other times, the film feels so committed to being bizarre that the emotional substance underneath it gets buried.

Certain scenes feel more like experimental sketches than actual story progression.

And while I admire the imagination behind every choice, there were moments where I wanted the movie to slow down and let the emotional weight hit harder.

Also, the marketing is slightly misleading …

The trailers make this look way more action-heavy than it actually is. There IS action eventually — and honestly some of it is really good — but this is not a nonstop heist thriller. I Love Boosters is much closer to an abstract sci-fi satire with fashion commentary than a traditional action movie.

So, should you watch I Love Boosters in theaters?

If you love unique filmmaking experiences and want to see something completely different from the usual Hollywood formula, then yes. Absolutely!

If you’re extremely picky about what you spend money on and mostly want straightforward action or comedy, you can honestly wait for streaming.

Escapism Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars – for a chaotic colourful dreamlike escape
Movie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 out of 5 stars – an insanely creative film you’ll have to watch again

Is I Love Boosters Rated R?

Oh, most definitely, baby. This is NOT a movie I’d recommend bringing your kids to see.

There are at least two graphic sex scenes alone that completely earned the R rating.

This is very much an adult-targeted film.

Trigger Warnings: Graphic sexual content, Nudity, Body horror imagery, Strong language, Racism/discrimination themes, Workplace exploitation, Disturbing visuals, Surreal violence, Creepy relationship dynamics

Final Thoughts: Yes, I Love Boosters Is Worth Watching

Boots Riley’s latest film is chaotic, funny, bizarre, politically layered, visually creative, occasionally exhausting, and completely committed to its own weirdness from beginning to end.

One minute, the film is commenting on how Black folks are constantly being followed around retail stores. The next, overworked employees are sprinting through a 30-second lunch break. And even though I’m still conflicted about certain parts of the movie, I did wake up the next morning with this film still on my brain — and if you KNOW me, you know that’s a huge compliment, from a Virgo.

In a movie landscape filled with safe and repetitive storytelling, there’s honestly something refreshing about a filmmaker willing to make something this weird.

But that’s what Boots Riley does best.

Only Boots Riley could create a sci-fi fashion fever dream about retail theft, soul-sucking f*ckboys, designer culture, exploitative labor, and self-image, while somehow making it all feel like one giant chaotic art piece. And honestly? I kind of love him for it.

Have you watched I Love Boosters yet? Do you think Boots Riley’s wild fashion fever dream was worth watching? Let me know in the comments below.