Keke Palmer and MCU Star’s New Comedy Is Crushing Rotten Tomatoes With Near-Perfect Reviews

Well, this is a surprise — Keke Palmer is about to hit theaters with a new crime comedy called 'I Love Boosters,' and apparently it's really, really good. How good? At the moment, critics on Rotten Tomatoes have it sitting at a borderline-unbelievable 97% approval rating. Is it too early to call this a critical darling? Probably, since we all know how those RT scores can wobble once the general audiences weigh in, but for now it's a strong start.

So, Who's in This Thing?

First off, the cast is genuinely stacked and a little bit random in the best possible way. Keke Palmer leads the pack, joined by Don Cheadle (yep, Marvel's War Machine himself), Will Poulter (Guardians, Black Mirror), plus Naomi Ackie, Demi Moore, Eric André, Adam DeVine, and Eiza González. If you think that sounds like someone spun a roulette wheel of casting, you're not alone — but it definitely makes things interesting.

The Story (and It's a Little Out There)

The plot revolves around a group of shoplifters — not your garden-variety mall lifters, but an actual semi-organized crew, apparently — taking on a big, nasty 'fashion heavyweight.' Think Robin Hood for the selfie generation, but with absurdist comedy baked in. Boot Riley (yeah, the guy behind 'Sorry to Bother You') both writes and directs, so expect some weirdness and sharp social commentary.

Critics Are (Almost) Universally On Board

Reviews are mostly glowing, and even the weirdness of the premise seems to be working in the film's favor. If anything, it's a selling point. Some highlights:

• Joe Gross from The Austin Chronicle zooms in on Riley's optimism, pointing out that even when Riley's work looks apocalyptic, there's a core belief in community and the surreal contradictions of living under extreme capitalism.
• The Mary Sue's Rachel Leishman calls it 'weird' and 'out there,' adding that after you watch it, you might want to go monochrome with your wardrobe for a while. But there's more to the wild style than just flashy aesthetics.
• Glenn Garner at Deadline says Riley 'knocks it out of the park' and praises Palmer for keeping the film grounded in real-life stakes, even when things get surreal.
• Angie Han from The Hollywood Reporter nails it: 'Watching it feels less like being transported into a different universe than putting on X-ray goggles to look at our own — and finding, buried under all the frustration and despair, a joyful and unruly sense of hope.'

Release Date and Rating Stats

'I Love Boosters' had its world premiere at SXSW on March 12, 2026 — so yes, it's still riding that early-buzz high. The U.S. theatrical release is scheduled for May 22, 2026. With 31 critic reviews tallied, the Rotten Tomatoes score is hovering at an impressive 97%. Obviously, this will change once the movie actually lands in theaters and the usual flood of opinions and think pieces rolls in, but for now the consensus is clear: critics are digging it.

So, weird cast, even weirder plot, absurdist director — and somehow it's all working. Keep an eye on 'I Love Boosters,' especially if you like your comedies with a little bit of chaos and a lot of commentary.