The story of Boost: friendship and the loss of innocence
Boost tells the story of two best friends navigating the complicated reality of immigrant life in Montreal, where teenage awkwardness and youthful adventure collide with circumstances neither of them saw coming. Director Darren Curtis crafts a narrative that doesn't feel like a typical coming-of-age film—it's grittier, more unpredictable, and ultimately darker than the usual teen-friendship arc. The film follows these characters through their early teenage years, capturing the small moments of connection and humor that define close friendships, before introducing a jolt that fundamentally changes everything they've known. It's the kind of story where you can feel the tonal shift coming, but you're never quite prepared for how it lands.
Behind the making of Boost: Canadian production and cast
Boost emerged from the Canadian film industry in 2017, a 102-minute feature directed by Darren Curtis that assembled a cast of largely Canadian actors. The ensemble includes Nabil Rajo and Jahmil French as the two central friends—the emotional core of the entire film—alongside supporting performances from Fanny Mallette, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Marc Rowland, Brent Skagford, and Oluniké Adeliyi. French, in particular, brought credibility to his role; he'd already built a career in Canadian television and film before taking on this project. The production itself reflects a distinctly Canadian sensibility—there's an attention to location and cultural specificity that grounds the story in Montreal's real neighborhoods and immigrant communities rather than glossing over them with generic urban backdrop aesthetics. While the film didn't achieve major festival accolades or mainstream box-office recognition, it found its audience among viewers seeking authentic, character-driven narratives that aren't afraid to tackle difficult subject matter. The runtime of 102 minutes allows Curtis enough breathing room to develop his characters without padding the narrative—a deliberate choice that respects the audience's time.
What makes Boost stand out: performance and thematic weight
What's striking about Boost is how it refuses to sentimentalize its young protagonists or their circumstances. The performances from Rajo and French carry the film; they're not playing archetypal "troubled teens" but rather specific, recognizable human beings trying to figure out who they are in a world that doesn't always make room for them. There's an authenticity to their interactions—the way they banter, the silences between them, the unspoken understanding that comes from years of friendship—that feels earned rather than manufactured. The crime and action elements don't overwhelm the character work; instead, they serve as the external pressure that reveals who these kids really are beneath the surface. I keep coming back to how the film treats its setting not as exotic backdrop but as a lived reality. Montreal's immigrant communities aren't presented as problems to solve or stories to pity—they're simply where these characters live, and the film trusts viewers to understand the structural challenges without spelling everything out. That restraint is rare in contemporary cinema. The IMDb rating of 5.1/10 suggests the film hasn't achieved universal acclaim, which makes sense—it's a challenging watch that doesn't offer easy answers or redemptive catharsis. Some viewers want their dramas to conclude with clear moral lessons or character transformation. Boost doesn't quite work that way.
Where to stream Boost online
If you're ready to experience Boost, the film is currently available on Prime Video. You can check the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page for real-time availability across streaming platforms. Movie OTT tracks where films like this land across different services, so you don't have to hunt across multiple apps trying to find it. The advantage of streaming availability is that you can watch Boost on your own schedule—and honestly, this is the kind of film that benefits from an uninterrupted viewing experience, ideally late at night when you can sit with it fully. Prime Video's library includes plenty of international and independent films, and Boost fits naturally into that collection of character-driven stories that don't fit neatly into mainstream categories.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Where can I watch Boost?
Boost is currently available to stream on Prime Video. Check the Where to Watch widget at the top of this page for the most current platform availability and any rental or purchase options.
Q: Who directed Boost?
Darren Curtis directed Boost, bringing a distinctly Canadian perspective to this 2017 coming-of-age crime drama set in Montreal.
Q: What's the runtime of Boost?
The film runs 102 minutes, giving Curtis enough time to develop his characters and their relationships without unnecessary padding.
Q: Is Boost based on a true story?
The film isn't based on a specific true story, though it draws authenticity from its grounded portrayal of immigrant life and teenage friendship in Montreal.
Q: Who are the main actors in Boost?
Nabil Rajo and Jahmil French lead the cast as the two best friends at the heart of the story, supported by Fanny Mallette, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and others.
Final thoughts on Boost
Boost isn't a film for everyone—it's too raw, too willing to let its characters fail, and too committed to avoiding easy resolutions. But if you're the kind of viewer who appreciates character-driven narratives grounded in specific cultural contexts, or if you're interested in how Canadian filmmakers are telling stories about immigration and youth, it's worth your time. Movie OTT readers often discover films like this through thoughtful curation rather than algorithmic recommendation, and there's something valuable in that intentionality. The film sits with you after the credits roll. Not always comfortably, but genuinely.
