Boots Riley is one of the most singular filmmakers working today. From his wild comedy Sorry to Bother You to his critically acclaimed TV show I’m a Virgo, his distinct visual style and bizarre sense of humor make it impossible to compare him to any other filmmaker. After being out of the film game for nearly a decade, many wondered what original work he would come up with next. With the release of I Love Boosters, it continues Boots Riley’s streak of ambitious original concepts that is bound to take audiences by surprise.

The film follows Corvette, played by Keke Palmer, a homeless woman who steals designer clothes from Metro Designer with her friends, played by Taylour Paige and Naomi Ackie, and sells them at a discount to the public, a practice known as “boosting.” Attempting to stop them is the egotistical Metro Designer CEO, Christie Smith, played by Demi Moore, who uses her social status and large security team to berate the “boosters” and prevent them from stealing her clothes.

I Love Boosters is a fairly basic story of good versus evil, but told in the most unpredictable and entertaining fashion. Blending comedy, action, and crime into a sub-two-hour runtime, the story goes in all kinds of directions, keeping the pace moving and the structure refreshing. Even though the film constantly teases where the third act will take place, the destination goes on a roller coaster of turns. Original storytelling can sometimes have the tendency to be overly rought, but writer/director Boots Riley successfully allows the story to be simultaneously twisted and cohesive.

The film has a very exaggerated sense of humor, told through both dialogue and visuals. Whether it’s the character’s crude language or the intentionally bad visual effects, Boots Riley inserts comedy in every scene to express the film’s surrealist nature. The humor isn’t only about getting a laugh out of the viewer, but also about poking fun at our current times. Christie Smith serves not only as a physical embodiment of modern-day billionaire CEOs but also as an example of the facade celebrities use to think they’re changing the world when they really aren’t. One of the standout jokes features a physical set representing the Millennium Tower in San Francisco. In a time where sole comedies are hard to come across, I Love Boosters stands out highly among the crowd.

The sets not only contribute to the film’s tone, but are gorgeously choreographed overall. From the monochrome Metro Designer store to the rundown chicken shop, every set is bursting with life and color, almost as if you’re in a candy store for nearly two hours. The costumes complement the sets beautifully and vary in colors and materials. When it comes to outfits, a bigger crime than the ones committed in the movie is poorly constructed clothing, but that is not the case in I Love Boosters. If the Oscars were held today, this film would walk away with the Best Costume Design award.

I Love Boosters is absolutely an absurdist comedy, but it also has a lot to say about the current state of the world. Themes of class and art run throughout the film, exploring what it means to achieve success, the importance of friendship and sisterhood, and how large corporations constantly exploit their lower-tier workers. Although the humor can sometimes overtake some of the film’s main ideas, there is still more than enough to take away from a critical standpoint.

I Love Boosters once again showcases Boots Riley’s strong filmmaking voice, using satirical humor and a variety of colors to discuss the current state of the world. Even aside from its themes, the film delivers a good, entertaining time at the theater. In a world where IP films rule the box office, this stands as one of the most refreshing and inventive films to reach cinemas in a long while. The wild nature of the screenplay may not work for everyone, but it’s bound to make an impression on the viewer.

I Love Boosters is now playing in theaters nationwide

Rating: 8/10

Oscar Prospects:

Best Costume Design.