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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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Danny Leigh Financial Times Sep 25
4/5
Still subversive in his worldview, the figure the documentary gives us lives on his own terms, taking ongoing pleasure in his own nomadic wandering. And where another writer might resent the long shadow of a signature novel, Welsh just smiles. Go to Full Review Andrew Murray The Upcoming Oct 1
4/5
Reality Is Not Enough is as much of an extension of Welsh’s enigmatic personality as it is a supplement to his writing career. It’s funny, thoughtful and hallucinogenic. It’s pure Welsh, and it’s fantastic. Go to Full Review Naemi Victoria Film Ireland Magazine Sep 29
It offers a thought-provoking Welsh-on-Welsh commentary that investigates the boundaries between reality and fiction. Go to Full Review Alistair Harkness Scotsman Sep 23
4/5
...Welsh himself is an entertaining tour guide through his own life, measured about his experiences in a way that resists sensationalism. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison The List Aug 26
4/5
...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. Go to Full Review Jonathan Holland Screen International Aug 21
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
Irvine Welsh: Reality Is Not Enough

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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