Trending Now - Boots Riley: Capitalism's Foundation Lies in Theft and Struggle

WHO:

The Verge - Boots Riley is the writer, director, and musician behind the film "I Love Boosters."

The Guardian - Keke Palmer plays the character Corvette in "I Love Boosters."

The Guardian - Demi Moore plays Christie Smith, a haute couturier in "I Love Boosters."

The Guardian - Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, and Poppy Liu are also part of the cast of "I Love Boosters."

The Guardian - Boots Riley is a member of the Progressive Labor Party and identifies as a communist.

WHAT:

The Verge - "I Love Boosters" is a comedy that explores class struggle through the story of women shoplifting from luxury fashion retailers.

The Verge - The film features a group called the Velvet Gang, who steal clothes to sell them at lower prices to their community.

The Guardian - Riley describes theft as integral to capitalism, stating, "Theft is not outside of capitalism; it’s what capitalism was built on."

The Guardian - The film portrays shoplifting as a form of survival and resistance against the global fashion industry.

WHERE:

The Verge - The setting of "I Love Boosters" is a fantastical version of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Guardian - The Velvet Gang operates in high-end stores in San Francisco and funnels stolen goods back to their working-class community in Oakland.

WHEN:

The Verge - "I Love Boosters" is currently in theaters.

The Guardian - Riley's film is released amid renewed debate over retail theft.

WHY:

The Verge - Riley believes society is overdue for a revolution and emphasizes the need for a mass militant radical labor movement to support working-class people.

The Guardian - Riley argues that the bourgeoisie historically engaged in theft, which he claims is often overlooked in discussions about capitalism.

HOW:

The Verge - The film employs dark comedy and magical realism to critique capitalism.

The Guardian - Riley uses surrealism in his storytelling to evoke emotional and visceral reactions from the audience.

(UPDATED May 22, 2026 23:21 UTC)

Boots Riley, known for his work as a writer, director, and musician, has released a new comedy titled "I Love Boosters," which explores class struggle through the story of women shoplifting from luxury fashion retailers. The film features a talented cast, including Keke Palmer as Corvette and Demi Moore as haute couturier Christie Smith, and follows a group called the Velvet Gang as they steal clothes to sell at lower prices to their community in Oakland. Currently in theaters, "I Love Boosters" employs dark comedy and magical realism to critique capitalism, with Riley emphasizing that theft is integral to the system and advocating for a mass militant radical labor movement to support working-class people.