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Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough

Play trailer Poster for Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough 2025 1h 28m Biography Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Irvine Welsh is at a crossroads. After experiencing the huge success of several film adaptations and six million books sold worldwide, he has become acutely aware of his own mortality. Now, with his hedonistic days drawing to a close, the outspoken author decides to explore the boundaries of consciousness through a psychedelic DMT trip. Through this unique lens, join Welsh on a brutally honest examination of his life: how his creativity was fostered by his childhood in Edinburgh; the influences he gained living amongst 70's London counterculture; and how groundbreaking work such as Trainspotting and Filth pulled him out of a self-destructive cycle, but also led him to heights of fame he never could have imagined. And still one burning question remains -- what will come next?

Critics Reviews

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Eddie Harrison The List ...this nimble, incisive and questioning documentary does a far more accurate job of articulating how Irvine Welsh deals with reality, finding fresh routes to chase oblivion, still under the chemical cosh. Rated: 4/5 Aug 26, 2025 Full Review Jonathan Holland Screen International Some nostalgists might resent the material successes of their favourite punk writer so shamelessly embracing the trappings of fame, but what it in fact adds up to is an entertaining and thoughtful portrait of a man who, after everything, has chosen life. Aug 21, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Paul Sng

Director

Irvine Welsh

Self

Helen Behan

Narrator

Nick Cave

Narrator

Olivia Caw

Narrator

Stephen Graham

Narrator
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Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough

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Movie Info

Synopsis Irvine Welsh is at a crossroads. After experiencing the huge success of several film adaptations and six million books sold worldwide, he has become acutely aware of his own mortality. Now, with his hedonistic days drawing to a close, the outspoken author decides to explore the boundaries of consciousness through a psychedelic DMT trip. Through this unique lens, join Welsh on a brutally honest examination of his life: how his creativity was fostered by his childhood in Edinburgh; the influences he gained living amongst 70's London counterculture; and how groundbreaking work such as Trainspotting and Filth pulled him out of a self-destructive cycle, but also led him to heights of fame he never could have imagined. And still one burning question remains -- what will come next?
Director
Paul Sng
Producer
Paul Sng
Screenwriter
Paul Sng
Production Co
LS Productions
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 28m