“People think it’s all about misery and desperation and death,” Renton says. “But what they forget is the pleasure of it.”
That line hits differently when you’re sober.
Thirty years after “Trainspotting” splashed onto screens with all its chaotic brilliance, the film still feels like a cinematic punch to the throat—one part humor, one part horror, and one part honesty so sharp it refuses to dull with time. Watching it again, especially through the lens of sobriety, is like revisiting an old wound you’ve learned how to live with, but never fully forget.
On The Sober Curator podcast, Alysse, Tamar, and Tony Harte gather for a roundtable deep dive into the movie’s grit, its genius, and everything in between. Their conversation is equal parts pop culture celebration and cultural autopsy—because “Trainspotting” doesn’t just entertain; it reveals.
And some reveals are uncomfortable.
The Film That Refused to Look Away
One of the reasons “Trainspotting” still holds its power is that it never glamorizes addiction. Not even for a second. Danny Boyle didn’t make a morality story, and he didn’t make trauma porn. He made a mirror—and every messy truth is reflected back with brutal clarity.
The infamous baby scene remains one of the rawest depictions of addiction’s collateral damage ever put on film. It’s not shock value. It’s heartbreak. It’s horror. It’s reality. And Tony points out that this is exactly why the movie stays relevant: it doesn’t let us hide from the consequences. It shows what it looks like when survival instincts override everything else.
That’s part of what makes the conversation so compelling. Tony notes the ritualistic nature of Renton’s detox attempt—the boards over the door, the lists, the rigid preparation. It’s funny and tragic, but it’s also familiar. Because addiction, no matter the substance, is ritual. It’s routine. It’s predictable in its chaos.
And watching Renton try to break the cycle is a reminder of how hard that rupture really is.
The Symbolism We Missed the First Time
Alysse invites Tony to share one of his unexpected takes: “Trainspotting” is surprisingly religious. Or at least spiritually coded.
Mother Superior acting as a warped higher power.
The toilet dive functioning as a baptism into clarity (however temporary).
The “Choose Life” monologue working like a sermon—an invitation to awaken, twisted by Renton’s addiction into defiance.
Viewed through this lens, the film becomes even more layered. Not a redemption arc—those come later in the book series—but a reminder that transformation is only possible after truth-telling. Trainspotting doesn’t offer recovery, but it does offer recognition. Sometimes that’s where healing begins.
The Characters Who Haunt Us
Among the chaotic ensemble, Tommy’s storyline cuts the deepest.
He’s the guy who swears he’ll never touch heroin.
He’s the guy whose life unravels from heartbreak, not curiosity.
He’s the guy who thinks he’s safe—until he’s not.
Every sober person has a Tommy in their life. Someone who believed they were immune. Someone who spiraled fast. Someone whose story reminds us that addiction doesn’t discriminate, and it doesn’t negotiate.
Tony highlights this arc not because it’s tragic, but because it’s true. And truth, no matter how old a film gets, doesn’t expire.
Why Sober People Still Feel This Film in Their Bones
When Alysse asks whether any modern film compares, the group can’t name one. Not Euphoria. Not Beautiful Boy. Not anything in recent memory. The difference? Tone.
“Trainspotting” isn’t interested in virtue signaling or aesthetic addiction. It’s messy, funny, ugly, and human. It’s the chaos before the clarity. It’s the spiral without the speech.
And maybe that’s why watching it sober is such an emotional experience.
You remember the pleasure.
You remember the pain.
You remember the chaos you don’t ever want back.
And you remember that laughter—dark, uncomfortable, involuntary—is sometimes part of survival too.
The Legacy That Still Matters
The film ends not with resolution, but intention. Renton chooses life—but he hasn’t lived it yet. The books fill in what happens next, but the movie leaves us in the in-between.
And that’s real. Sobriety is all about in-betweens. Choices made daily. Rituals broken and rebuilt. A future imagined but not yet lived.
Trainspotting doesn’t promise hope. But it does make space for it.
And sometimes, that’s enough.
Listen to the Full Episode
If you’re ready for nostalgia, film nerdery, and a sober lens that brings clarity to the chaos, tune in to the full episode of The Sober Curator podcast. You’ll laugh, cringe, and maybe rethink your favorite 90s movie in the best possible way.
Getting sober is one thing—but staying sober? That’s where the real adventure begins.
This show is for you if you’ve ever wondered:
– Where can I find inspiring sober podcasts, apps, and creators?
– How do I give back or stay plugged into the sober community
– What are the best sober-friendly drinks and travel tips?
– Where do I find the good NA drinks that don’t taste like regret?
The Sober Curator is your go-to for sober pop culture, booze-free travel, apps, creators, and community.
We’re not here to help you get sober.
We’re here to help you live sober—and love it.
It’s been 30 years since Trainspotting splashed into our lives with all the grit, grime, dark humor, and cultural punch that made it an instant classic. In this episode, Alysse, Tamar, and Sober Curator contributor Tony Harte take a wild, witty, and brutally honest deep dive into the most iconic addiction film ever made. From the infamous baby scene to the “Choose Life” manifesto to the worst toilet in Scotland, we unpack why Trainspotting still hits differently—especially when you watch it sober. Buckle up: this is pop culture autopsy meets sober storytelling at its finest.
Takeaways:
Trainspotting remains one of the most accurate depictions of addiction—messy, funny, tragic, and painfully human.
Irvine Welsh’s books are even darker than the film (yes, it’s possible).
Renton’s detox sequence is still one of the most iconic portrayals of withdrawal on screen.
The film’s religious symbolism is subtle but rich—from “Mother Superior” to the baptism-like toilet dive.
The soundtrack (Iggy Pop! Lou Reed! Underworld!) is a cultural time capsule of 90s grit and rebellion.
Key Timestamps:
[00:02:00] — Meet Tony Harte and his legendary Trainspotting bucket hat
[00:03:00] — Why no one watches Trainspotting sober and feels nothing
[00:07:00] — Ewan McGregor on-set: very much not sober
[00:14:00] — The brutal reality of Tommy’s storyline
[00:17:00] — The baby scene: the rawest depiction of addiction’s cost
[00:23:00] — Fun fact: Trainspotting won Seattle’s Golden Space Needle Award
[00:28:00] — Hidden religious symbolism throughout the film
Resources & Links:
Tony Harte — Sober Curator Contributor & Stoic Sobriety writer
Trainspotting book review on The Sober Curator (by Tony)
–Alcohol + Substance Use Disorder Guide
–Recovery Nonprofit Resource Guide
–LBGTQ+ Recovery Resource Guide
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About:
Sobriety isn’t the end of the party—it’s just the start of a better one. Hosted by Alysse Bryson, media powerhouse and sobriety’s ultimate hype woman, and joined by Sober Curator contributors, The Sober Curator Podcast* delivers bold convos, pop culture deep dives, and zero-proof living that doesn’t suck. Whether you're sober, sober-curious, or just looking for good vibes without the hangover, we’ve got you covered. Subscribe now—because getting sober matters, staying sober matters more.
*The Sober Curator Podcast is a space for open and honest conversations about sobriety, recovery, and alcohol-free living. While we celebrate all paths to a sober lifestyle, some topics discussed may be sensitive or triggering for certain listeners. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If you’re in recovery or exploring sobriety, please take care while listening and seek support from trusted professionals as needed.
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