Eight years after his directorial debut Sorry to Bother You turned heads with its absurdist satire, Boots Riley is finally returning to the big screen with another wild ride. His latest film, I Love Boosters, follows a crew of shoplifters called the Velvet Gang as they take on a ruthless fashion designer played by Demi Moore. With bright costumes, chaotic heists, and a stacked cast including Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, and Don Cheadle, it's shaping up to be one of the most colorful films of the year. And now, Alamo Drafthouse is giving fans a peek behind the curtain with a new Guest Selects video featuring Riley's biggest cinematic inspirations.
In the exclusive clip, Riley reveals a mix of international gems and surreal classics that helped shape I Love Boosters. Topping his list is Emir Kusturica's 1998 romantic crime comedy Black Cat, White Cat. For Riley, the film's constant surprises and chaotic energy—like a couple frolicking in a sunflower field—make it one of his all-time favorites. He also credits Michel Gondry's Moon Indigo for influencing his surreal visual style, praising how the 2013 film's inventive setpieces and costumes radiate pure joy in filmmaking.
Riley's Guest Selects series will screen at select Alamo Drafthouse locations across the U.S. starting next week, serving as appetizers before I Love Boosters hits theaters on May 22. Among the picks is Leos Carax's mind-bending Holy Motors, which Riley loves for its ability to constantly surprise viewers. He also highlights Paul Schrader's Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, calling it the director's best work for its seamless blend of three visual styles and its meditation on art and action. Rounding out the list is Jacques Tati's nearly dialogue-free Playtime, which directly inspired Riley's approach to physical comedy through meticulous use of space and long takes.
For fans of Riley's previous work, I Love Boosters promises more of his signature blend of social commentary and absurdity. The film premiered at SXSW earlier this year to strong reviews, earning a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Collider's Ross Bonaime gave it an 8/10, calling it "an adventure unlike anything you've ever seen before" and proof that Riley is one of the most adventurous filmmakers working today. The story follows the Velvet Gang as they target a high-fashion empire, weaving in themes of workers' rights and capitalism's excesses.
Riley's journey from musician with The Coup to filmmaker has been anything but conventional. I Love Boosters marks his second feature, and he's brought along some familiar faces: Keke Palmer, who starred in Sorry to Bother You, returns alongside newcomers like Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, Will Poulter, and Don Cheadle. The ensemble cast adds to the film's chaotic energy, which Riley describes as "delightfully fun."
Tickets for I Love Boosters are now on sale at Alamo Drafthouse, with the film opening May 22. In the meantime, fans can catch Riley's Guest Selects screenings—including Holy Motors, Mishima, and Playtime—at participating locations. For more on the film's inspirations, check out the exclusive video above.
In other entertainment news, Joel McHale Reveals the Brutal Trick That Trips Up Contestants on 'The 1% Club' and Arcane's Silco Voice Actor Reveals 60 Drafts of Pilot and Scrapped First Episode.
