Boulevard

Boulevard

Year: 1994

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: English

Director: Penelope Buitenhuis

DramaActionCrimeThriller

On the boulevard, survival is paramount. A street prostitute shelters an abused young woman fleeing her misogynistic boyfriend. Together they must confront the prostitute’s terrifying pimp and evade a dogged police detective determined to bring them all to justice.

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Timeline & Setting – Boulevard (1994)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Boulevard (1994). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Set during a harsh Toronto winter, the city imposes danger and scarcity on its inhabitants. The cold nights and bleak days intensify isolation and desperation on the streets. The period feels contemporary, emphasizing modern urban life and survival within this environment.

Location

Toronto, Canada

The film unfolds on the winter streets of Toronto, where shelter and safety are scarce. The urban landscape shapes fear, vulnerability, and the danger of prostitution. Its cold, faceless city acts as a backdrop to the characters' struggle for survival.

🌃 Urban Toronto ❄️ Harsh winter 🗺️ Street life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:37

Main Characters – Boulevard (1994)

Meet the key characters of Boulevard (1994), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ola (Rae Dawn Chong)

An experienced prostitute who shelters Jennifer after she runs away from an abusive relationship. She witnesses Hassan murder another prostitute but refuses to testify, drawing danger to herself. Ola is beaten by Hassan and left to die on the riverbank, and her fate underscores the brutality of street life. She dies after a hospital scene, leaving Jennifer to grapple with loss and revenge.

💪 Resilient 🤝 Protector 🧭 Street-smart

Jennifer (Jennefer)

The protagonist who runs away from an abusive boyfriend and gives her baby up for adoption. She ends up on Toronto's streets and is taken in by Ola. Jennifer learns the ropes of prostitution to repay Ola's kindness and later confronts her past, including her boyfriend, through self-defense and revenge. The relationship with Ola evolves into a bond that drives much of the plot.

💔 Traumatic past 🧭 Survival 🎭 Moral ambiguity

Hassan

A local pimp who presides over a network that endangers Ola and Jennifer. He murders a prostitute to enforce control and beats Ola when confronted. His fearsome power and ruthlessness drive much of the conflict, culminating in his arrest after Jennifer's actions.

💰 Crime 🔪 Violence 🕸️ Exploitation

McClaren

A police officer who interrogates Ola and, when she refuses to talk, has her deported to the USA. He embodies the law's coercive reach and the bureaucratic coldness that complicates the characters' lives.

🕵️‍♂️ Authority ⚖️ Law & Order 🚔 Bureaucracy

Sheila

One of Hassan's prostitutes who reveals that she witnessed Ola's beating and clarifies Ola's whereabouts. She represents the network's leakage and the tension between loyalty and survival.

👁️ Witness 🤝 Betrayal

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:37

Major Themes – Boulevard (1994)

Explore the central themes of Boulevard (1994), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Survival

In Boulevard, survival drives every decision as characters navigate a brutal urban world. Ola shelters Jennifer and mentors her through the dangers of street life. The film examines how poverty, fear, and loyalty push people toward desperate choices. Trust, resilience, and the will to endure shape the narrative.

🩸 Violence

The story is punctuated by acts of violence, from assaults to killings. Jennifer's self-defense shooting and Ola's beating by Hassan highlight how violence binds the characters' fates. The film does not sensationalize it, but it reveals its consequences on relationships and futures. The threat from Hassan's network creates constant tension.

🤝 Community & Betrayal

Ola's mentorship of Jennifer contrasts with the exploitation within Hassan's world. Jennifer finds solidarity with Ola, but betrayal by the system and individuals persists. The film explores fragile bonds formed under hardship and how they endure or break under pressure. The characters' loyalty is tested by danger and demand for survival.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:37

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Unlock the Full Story of Boulevard

Don't stop at just watching — explore Boulevard in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Boulevard is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Boulevard Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Boulevard, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Boulevard Summary

Boulevard Timeline

Track the full timeline of Boulevard with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Boulevard Timeline

More About Boulevard

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Boulevard: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Boulevard