‘I Love Boosters’ Review Roundup: Critics and Audiences Weigh In on the Buzz Around the New Film

“I Love Boosters” is a crime comedy written and directed by Boots Riley. The film features a large cast including Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore.

It premiered earlier this year at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 12, before being released in U.S. theaters by Neon on May 22. According to early reception data and critics tracked by major review aggregators, the film has mostly positive feedback overall, even if reactions are not fully consistent.

The story is set in a strange and stylized version of the San Francisco Bay Area. It follows a group of shoplifters, known as “boosters,” who become involved in a conflict with a powerful fashion figure after she steals their creative ideas. The film mixes crime, comedy, and surreal storytelling, which has become a signature style for director Boots Riley.

Audience and critic scores show a strong split in tone but generally positive results. The film currently holds a 91% Tomatometer score based on 94 reviews and a 78% Popcornmeter score from over 100 verified ratings. It also received a CinemaScore grade of B, showing that general audiences found it enjoyable but not universally loved.

Critics have been divided on how the film handles its unusual tone and storytelling style. Some praise it for originality and bold filmmaking choices. Others feel the film becomes too chaotic or unfocused as it goes on.

One positive review from Alex Bentley of CultureMap described the film as one of the most interesting releases of 2026. He wrote, “I Love Boosters is one of the more outlandish and interesting films to come out in 2026, a long-awaited return from Riley that demonstrates his strong storytelling and filmmaking voice.” This reflects a group of critics who see the film as a strong creative statement from the director.

Another positive review came from AMovieGuy.com, where Leo Brady gave it a strong rating and praised its ambition. He said, “The sheer creativity and razor-sharp messaging of I Love Boosters make it one of the most memorable films of 2026.” Reviews like this highlight the film’s energy, visual style, and social themes.

However, not all critics were convinced. Some felt the movie’s style went too far. A more negative review from Sean Burns on Spliced Personality described it as overwhelming, saying, “The cutesy too-muchness tips into insufferable fairly early on.” This view reflects criticism that the film tries to do too much at once and can feel messy.

Another mixed review came from That Hashtag Show, which also pointed out the uneven tone. The reviewer said, “It’s too unfocused and scattershot to really transform into something more meaningful.”

Overall, “I Love Boosters” is shaping up as a polarizing film. Critics generally agree that Boots Riley brings a strong creative voice and unique ideas, but opinions differ on whether the final result feels cohesive or chaotic. Still, with strong critical scores and a solid audience response, the film has clearly made an impact and stands out as one of the more talked-about releases of 2026.

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