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Filth
2013 97 min Belgium, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★7.0
Crime, Drama, Comedy
Director: Jon S. Baird
🎭 Based on
«Filth»
byIrvine Welsh
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
A bigoted junkie cop suffering from borderline personality disorder and drug addiction manipulates and hallucinates his way in a bid to secure promotion.
Budget:
$5M
US Gross:
$34,411
Worldwide:
$9.11M
Starring
James McAvoy
Actor
Jamie Bell
Actor
Eddie Marsan
Actor
Awards
9 wins & 15 nominations total
Key opinion
Filth is a provocative, chaotic, and darkly comedic character study that centers on a career-defining performance by James McAvoy. While the film’s relentless cynicism and graphic nature may alienate some viewers, it is widely praised for its raw emotional depth and its ability to elicit unexpected sympathy for a deeply flawed protagonist.
| Acting | James McAvoy delivers a career-best, hypnotic performance that anchors the film and makes a repulsive, amoral protagonist surprisingly sympathetic. | |
| Theme | The narrative successfully transitions from a black comedy about a corrupt detective into a haunting, tragic exploration of loneliness and mental breakdown. | |
| Cinematography | The film utilizes an uncompromising and gritty visual style that effectively mirrors the protagonist's descent into madness and psychological decay. | |
| Accessibility | The film’s extreme vulgarity and cynical tone are polarizing; some view it as a daring, provocative masterpiece, while others find the explicit imagery and moral bankruptcy overwhelming. | |
| Adaptation | Opinions on the adaptation of Irvine Welsh's work vary; while some praise the courageous and bold translation of the novel's essence, others feel it condenses too much material or sacrifices depth for style. |