8.1
Where can I stream Trainspotting legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Trainspotting fingerprint
Stunning style, high energy, light on feelings.
Energy
Breakneck and tense
Fast from start to finish.
- Fast Pace9
- Tension7
- Adrenaline6
Heart
Moving and melancholic
- Pathos8
- Melancholy7
- Catharsis5
Humor
Plenty of dark humor and sharp wit
- Dark Humor9
- Wit & Wordplay7
- Cringe Humor6
World
Everyday modern life, society, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
- Rewatchability10
- Novelty9
- World Immersion8
Craft
Standout direction, performances, and dialogue
- Direction9
- Acting9
- Dialogue Quality9
Style
Standout editing, visual style, and cinematography
A distinctive visual signature.
- Editing9
- Visual Stylization9
- Music Centrality9
Energy
HighBreakneck and tense
Fast from start to finish.
Trainspotting is breakneck and tense.
All energy traits
- Fast Pace9Quick tempo and momentum.
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence6Physical conflict and intensity.
- Scare3Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Grotesque5Macabre, distorted imagery.
Heart
LowMoving and melancholic
Emotionally, it's moving and melancholic.
All heart traits
- Pathos8Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis5Emotional release and payoff.
- Coming of Age4Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Family Dynamics3Relationships and generational ties.
- Romance2Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness1Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wholesome0Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Wonder0Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
HighPlenty of dark humor and sharp wit
Expect plenty of dark humor and sharp wit.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor9Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Wit & Wordplay7Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor6Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Satire & Parody6Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy5Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor5Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Situational Comedy3Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
Related traits
- Eccentricity7Oddball tone and quirks.
World
HighEveryday modern life, society, and the mind
Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.
Its world is built around everyday modern life, society, and the mind. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in. It holds up on a rewatch.
All world traits
- Rewatchability10Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty9Fresh ideas and invention.
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Social Commentary9Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Pop Culture7References and cultural commentary.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
Craft
HighStandout direction, performances, and dialogue
The direction, performances, and dialogue stand out.
All craft traits
- Direction9Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Dialogue Quality9Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Meta Narrative2Stories about storytelling.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
Related traits
- Novelty9Fresh ideas and invention.
- Fast Pace9Quick tempo and momentum.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Style
Very highStandout editing, visual style, and cinematography
A distinctive visual signature.
Look and sound: the editing, visual style, and cinematography stand out.
All style traits
- Editing9Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Visual Stylization9Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality9The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Music Composition8Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Spectacle6Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Grotesque5Macabre, distorted imagery.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You need an uplifting mood
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Choose life.
Heroin addict Mark Renton stumbles through bad ideas and sobriety attempts with his unreliable friends --Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud and Tommy. He also has an underage girlfriend, Diane, along for the ride. After cleaning up and moving from Edinburgh to London, Mark finds he can't escape the life he left behind as Begbie and Sick Boy come knocking.
Cult ClassicDark Comedy DramaDrug Addiction RealismGritty Social CommentaryStylized & EnergeticAnti-Hero NarrativeScottish CinemaTragicomic & BleakIconic Soundtrack
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
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Media
Questions about Trainspotting
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Trainspotting worth watching?
86
ExcellentGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 86/100 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 93%, and Metacritic 83). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Trainspotting rated?
RDrug useStrong languageViolenceSexual contentNudityDisturbing imagery
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: drug use, strong language, violence, sexual content, nudity, and disturbing imagery.
How long is Trainspotting?
1 h 34 min
Trainspotting runs 1 h 34 min.
Is Trainspotting based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a novel.
Do critics and audiences agree on Trainspotting?
Critics88
Audiences86
Yes. Critics average 88 and audiences 86 out of 100, so both groups see Trainspotting much the same way.
Was Trainspotting a box office hit?
Budget$4 million
Box office$72 million
Yes, a big one. It cost about $4 million to make and earned $72 million worldwide, 18.0 times its budget.
What language is Trainspotting in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom.
In how many countries can I watch Trainspotting?
56
+42
+42GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Trainspotting in 56 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Trainspotting use?
Better than SexIndirect KissNo Periods, PeriodThrow the Dog a BoneArmoured Closet GayCute KittenIdiosyncratic Episode NamingWhat Happened to the Mouse?Same Language DubByronic HeroDramatic EllipsisCatholic School Girls Ruleand 200 more
TV Tropes lists 212 storytelling tropes for Trainspotting, including Better than Sex, Indirect Kiss, No Periods, Period.