James McAvoy’s gritty Scottish thriller Filth hailed as the real Trainspotting 2
James McAvoy gives one of his most ferocious performances in Filth, the 2013 black comedy crime thriller that has earned a devoted following for its dark humour, chaotic story and distinctly Scottish character.
The film is now available to stream on Amazon Prime, giving viewers another chance to discover the movie that some fans have described as the real Trainspotting 2.
Directed by Jon S. Baird, Filth is based on Irvine Welsh’s 1998 best-selling novel of the same name. Welsh is also the author of Trainspotting, and the film shares some of that earlier work’s grimy atmosphere, outrageous humour and troubled characters.
James McAvoy takes on a deeply troubled Edinburgh cop
McAvoy stars as Bruce Robertson, a corrupt and drug-addicted Edinburgh police officer whose personal life is spiralling out of control.
Bruce is determined to secure a promotion, believing that career success could help him win back his wife and daughter. To get there, he is prepared to manipulate colleagues, exploit his position and push his increasingly unstable behaviour to the limit.
His professional ambitions become tied to a murder investigation when a Japanese student is brutally killed in an Edinburgh underpass. Bruce takes on the case, seeing it as an opportunity to prove himself and move closer to the promotion he wants.
But solving the crime is only part of the story.
As the investigation continues, Bruce is forced to confront his own addictions, destructive behaviour and psychological problems. His increasingly distorted view of reality makes it difficult to separate what is happening around him from what is taking place inside his own mind.
Rotten Tomatoes describes the film as following a manipulative, drug-addled protagonist whose hallucinations become increasingly severe while he investigates the murder.
A dark comedy with plenty of Scottish humour
Filth occupies an unusual space between crime drama, psychological thriller and black comedy.
Its humour can be extremely dark, while the story becomes progressively more disturbing as Bruce’s behaviour deteriorates. The result is a deliberately abrasive film that leans heavily into the uglier side of its central character.
That mixture has led to comparisons with Trainspotting. Time Out noted the film’s connection to the style of Irvine Welsh’s earlier work, highlighting its bleak humour, heightened characters and unpredictable shifts between comedy and darker material.
The film runs for 97 minutes and was released in 2013. It features an ensemble cast that includes Jamie Bell, Imogen Poots and Jim Broadbent, alongside McAvoy.
McAvoy’s performance is the main attraction
Much of the attention surrounding Filth has focused on McAvoy’s performance as Bruce Robertson.
The role is a major departure from some of the more conventional characters associated with the actor. McAvoy plays Bruce as charismatic, unpleasant, manipulative and increasingly vulnerable, allowing the character’s darker side to dominate much of the film.
Several audience reviews have singled out McAvoy’s performance as the film’s strongest element. Viewers have described it as his best work to date, while others have praised the intensity with which he inhabits the troubled police officer.
One audience member called McAvoy an “energy ball” who was perfectly suited to the role, while another praised the performance as intense and compelling.
Other viewers have similarly highlighted the combination of McAvoy’s performance and the film’s dark Scottish humour. One described it as an excellent dark comedy drama, while another called it one of the best movies they had ever seen.
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Filth at 66% from critics and 67% from audiences, based on its available ratings.
The critical response has also recognised McAvoy’s work. Metacritic’s collection of contemporary reviews includes praise for his energetic and extreme performance, while several critics highlighted the film’s combination of black comedy, crime and psychological drama.
A cast packed with familiar faces
McAvoy is joined by a strong supporting cast.
Jamie Bell plays Ray Lennox, while Eddie Marsan appears as Bladesey. Jim Broadbent plays Dr. Rossi and Imogen Poots portrays Amanda Drummond. Joanne Froggatt, Shirley Henderson, Emun Elliott and Iain De Caestecker also appear in supporting roles.
The film was written and directed by Jon S. Baird, with Irvine Welsh’s novel providing the source material.
The story’s movement between brutal crime, dark comedy and psychological deterioration gives the supporting performances an important role in creating the strange world surrounding Bruce.
Why viewers keep returning to Filth
More than a decade after its release, Filth continues to attract viewers who enjoy unconventional crime films and Irvine Welsh’s distinctive style.
Its appeal comes largely from the collision of several elements: a murder investigation, a deeply unreliable central character, drug-fuelled chaos, Scottish humour and McAvoy’s uncompromising lead performance.
The comparison with Trainspotting is understandable given Welsh’s involvement and the film’s deliberately unruly tone, although Filth tells its own story through Bruce Robertson and his increasingly troubled state of mind.
For anyone looking for a dark, unconventional Scottish crime film, Filth offers a particularly intense 97-minute watch.
Filth is available to stream on Amazon Prime.