Trainspotting (1996): Gen Z Reacts to a 30-Year-Old Classic

⚠️ SPOILERS throughout — so if you've never seen Trainspotting, watch the film first! 30 years after Danny Boyle's Trainspotting shocked audiences, the film is back in UK cinemas in a brand-new 4K restoration. So Mark has revisited this modern classic — and Sophie has watched it for the very first time. Did it live up to the hype? We discuss why Trainspotting remains such a powerful and stylish film three decades on, from its extraordinary editing and surreal sequences to its iconic soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop and Underworld. We also ask whether the film really glamorises drug use, whether Renton is a character we can genuinely root for, and how much the film has to say about friendship, addiction and the need to leave people behind in order to change your life. And then there's the humour. Can a film be this funny while dealing with such dark and disturbing subject matter? Sophie also gives her Gen Z perspective on some of Trainspotting's most controversial moments — including Diane, Begbie's toxic masculinity, Tommy's tragic story and THAT unforgettable baby sequence. What do you think? Is Trainspotting still a masterpiece 30 years later? And does it glamorise drugs, or is it ultimately an anti-drug film? Let us know in the comments. #Trainspotting #DannyBoyle #FilmReview #IrvineWelsh #RobertCarlyle #EwanMcGregor #MovieReview #ClassicFilms