After “I Love Boosters” premiered at SXSW, Boots Riley urged fans to push for screenings during the May 22 opening weekend, warning that waiting until June could mean theaters pull it from their local screens.
Boots Riley is making a direct plea to the people most likely to determine how long “I Love Boosters” stays in theaters. After the film’s world premiere at SXSW, the writer/director turned to social media this weekend to urge audiences to show up—and to do it immediately.
Riley called on fans to ensure the movie gets a proper theatrical run starting May 22.. “Hundreds of people put a lot of work into I Love Boosters– we need everyone to see it!. In theaters– May 22nd!” he wrote on X. adding a clear message to anyone hoping their local screens would pick it up: go see it when it opens.
That push hit a practical snag for at least one viewer.. When a follower asked why their arthouse theater wasn’t showing the movie. Riley responded with a simple workaround: “If you call and tell them you and your friends want the movie. they’ll get it.. People on here have reported it working out when they did.. Theaters are guessing otherwise.”
Riley didn’t stop at opening-week enthusiasm.. One fan shared plans for a group birthday outing next month. and Riley urged them to go sooner rather than waiting for June.. “IF YOU WAIT TIL JUNE, ITS GAME OVER FOR I LOVE BOOSTERS,” he wrote.. “WE HAVE TO HAVE EVERYONE GO SEE THIS ON THE WEEKEND OF MAY 22ND OR THEY START PULLING IT OFF OF SCREENS.. Please please celebrate your birthday on the weekend of May 22nd!. :-)”
As the conversation continued, Riley also addressed how the film might fit into family viewing, especially around its sex scenes.. When discussing whether it’s appropriate for a younger viewer. he said he would “personally say it’s not appropriate for a 10 year old. ” citing that the movie has “a fair amount of sex.” He added. “It’s ok to see I Love Boosters with your parents.. They are more expert at sex than you are.. Just don’t look over at them during said scenes.”
The plea ties back to a single chain of decisions: Riley asked for May 22 attendance to “get it a proper theatrical run. ” warned that waiting until June could lead to it being “pulling… off of screens. ” and pointed to theaters “guessing otherwise” when audiences don’t push them—so the weekend turnout and the calls to theaters are presented as the same pressure point.
“I Love Boosters” follows a crew of boosters—described as professional shoplifters and equal opportunists—who target cutthroat fashion maven Christie Smith (Demi Moore).. The film stars Keke Palmer. Naomi Ackie. Taylour Paige. and Poppy Liu. with Eiza González. LaKeith Stanfield. Will Poulter. Don Cheadle. Jason Ritter. Eric André. Alan Z. and more also in the cast.
Boots Riley I Love Boosters SXSW opening weekend May 22 theaters Keke Palmer Naomi Ackie Demi Moore