Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige and Keke Palmer talk to PEOPLE about their roles in the provocative new movie I Love Boosters
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The trio recalls long days on set and working with writer-director Boots Riley in “true indie fashion,” as Palmer says
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“We put in a couple 18-hour days,” says Paige, who recalls sleeping on the floor between takes
WhenNaomi AckiecallsI Love Boosters“a true indie,” that's both a badge of honor and a sign of its challenges.
Boots Riley's colorful new comedy (in theaters now), starringKeke Palmer,Taylour Paigeand Ackie, 34, as a trio of shoplifters of luxury fashion, required rolling with the punches and all-in commitment from its cast, they tell PEOPLE.
“We were worked hard,” quips Palmer, 32, recalling filming long days in Riley's native Bay Area, where the story is set, and Atlanta. Made in “true indie fashion,”I Love Boostersoften had its actors “just catching our breath,” she says.
“When we were in between stuff, we would either be together talking or try to get a moment to sleep or nap,” recalls Palmer.
“You were in your chair, passed out,” Paige, 35, tells her. “It was exhausting… We put in a couple 18-hour days.”
A scene involving Paige swapping places with an uncreditedRobin Thede— as a temporarily lighter-skinned version of Paige's character, able to get away with stealing a store's clothes — saw the actress ducking out of frame for hours on end. “I swear I slept like four hours,” theZolastar recalls, “on the floor.”
Yet at the same time, a movie with such ambition and big ideas — about capitalism, labor, the power of solidarity and creative theft — sparked “lots of thinking, lots of laughing,” as Paige says. “Deep talks, delirious talks.” (Or, as Palmer puts it, “gossipy.”)
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“I peed on myself a couple times because I was pregnant and laughing,” recalls Paige, whowelcomedher son in May 2025. “I say they all helped to raise him in utero,” she quips. “He's so happy. And I swear it's because of you girls. It was so much love and joy [on set].”
Riley's quirks, on camera and off, set the tone of the filming experience. Ackie recalls “little rubber unicorns” that the filmmaker apparently left around the indie film's set. “I stole one,” she admits.
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Ultimately,I Love Boostersalso proved to be a true indie in that traditional Hollywood studios likely wouldn't greenlight Riley's wild ideas. “Hopefully afterward, you go have discourse, go have disagreements,” says Paige of what she hopes audiences take away from the film.
“We have to bring back critical thinking and the ability to hold multiple truths and the ability to agree to disagree, but with all due respect,” she adds. “We need to bring back flaws, bring back getting it wrong, bring back growth.”
I Love Boosters, costarringLaKeith Stanfield,Poppy Liu,Eiza González,Will Poulter,Don CheadleandDemi Moore, is in theaters as of May 22.
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