T2 Trainspotting (2017)

Danny Boyle’s long-awaited sequel to the 1996 cult classic brings the old gang back together for a messy, bittersweet, and surprisingly introspective reunion. T2 Trainspotting is not just about heroin and schemes—it’s about the scars of time, broken friendships, and the strange comfort of chaos.

Detailed Summary

20 Years Later – Mark Renton Returns to Edinburgh

The film begins two decades after Renton (Ewan McGregor) betrayed his friends and ran off with the money from their drug deal. He’s been living a relatively clean life in Amsterdam, until a health scare and a failing marriage push him to return to Edinburgh. His return is met with a storm of emotions—mostly resentment from those he left behind.

Old Friends, Old Wounds

Spud (Ewen Bremner) is still struggling with heroin addiction and severe depression, even attempting suicide before Renton intervenes. Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson (Jonny Lee Miller) is running a failing pub and a blackmail scheme with his girlfriend Veronika (Anjela Nedyalkova). Francis Begbie (Robert Carlyle) is in prison, still fueled by rage, and plotting his escape.

Schemes and Scams

Renton and Sick Boy reluctantly agree to collaborate on turning the pub into a brothel—a plan driven more by desperation than ambition. Meanwhile, Spud begins writing his life story, which becomes a nostalgic throughline, echoing the first film’s narration style.

Begbie’s Return

Begbie escapes prison and resumes his violent tendencies. His paths almost cross with Renton several times, building tension until the inevitable confrontation. Begbie’s estranged son, studying hotel management, wants nothing to do with his father’s criminal lifestyle, creating a subplot of generational distance.

The Climax – Confrontations and Reckonings

The tension boils over when Begbie discovers Renton is back in town. This leads to a violent chase inside the pub construction site. Begbie nearly kills Renton, but Spud intervenes, saving his friend. The police arrive and Begbie is sent back to prison. Sick Boy, despite his grudges, begins to reconcile with Renton. Spud finds a new purpose in life through writing and reconnecting with his son.

Movie Ending

In the closing moments, Veronika takes the money from the brothel scheme and leaves for a new life with Spud’s manuscript, suggesting she might help him publish it. Spud continues writing, this time with clarity and hope. Sick Boy and Renton share a quiet, heartfelt moment in the pub, marking a fragile truce. Begbie, back in prison, looks resigned but not broken. The final shot mirrors the original film’s famous scene—Renton walking into his childhood bedroom, with “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop playing. But this time, instead of sprinting toward the unknown, he seems to be embracing the familiarity of home, suggesting a more grounded, if still uncertain, future.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. There is no post-credits scene in T2 Trainspotting. Once the credits roll, the story is complete, leaving the characters’ futures open to interpretation.

Type of Movie

Drama, Crime, Black Comedy. The film blends gritty realism with stylized visuals, nostalgia, and dark humor.

Cast

• Ewan McGregor as Mark Renton
• Ewen Bremner as Daniel “Spud” Murphy
• Jonny Lee Miller as Simon “Sick Boy” Williamson
• Robert Carlyle as Francis Begbie
• Anjela Nedyalkova as Veronika
• Kelly Macdonald as Diane Coulston

Film Music and Composer

The soundtrack is a modernized reflection of the original’s iconic mix, featuring both updated tracks and reimagined classics. Music includes remixes of Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life”, Underworld’s “Born Slippy”, and songs from The Prodigy, Queen, and Young Fathers. Composer Rick Smith (of Underworld) returned to collaborate with Danny Boyle on the score.

Filming Locations

Filming took place primarily in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland. The city itself is a character in the film—its gentrification, decay, and lingering familiarity emphasize the themes of change and nostalgia.

Awards and Nominations

While not a major awards contender, the film received nominations at the BAFTA Scotland Awards, winning Best Actor for Ewen Bremner. It also earned critical recognition for cinematography and editing.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Danny Boyle initially refused to make a sequel until the cast had aged naturally to match the story’s timeline.
• Irvine Welsh, author of the original Trainspotting novel, makes a cameo as drug dealer Mikey Forrester.
• Many scenes were shot in the same locations as the first film for authenticity, even recreating certain shots frame-for-frame.
• Robert Carlyle reportedly avoided seeing Ewan McGregor off-camera before intense scenes to maintain tension.

Inspirations and References

The film is loosely based on Irvine Welsh’s 2002 novel Porno, but with major plot changes. It also heavily references the first Trainspotting, not only in visuals but in thematic callbacks, such as updated monologues and mirrored camera work.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Deleted scenes include extended conversations between Renton and his father, as well as more of Spud’s writing process. No alternate ending has been publicly released, but Boyle has mentioned a longer cut existed before trimming the pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

While Porno focused more heavily on the pornography business plot, T2 Trainspotting shifts toward personal reconciliation, mid-life crisis, and nostalgia. Several characters’ arcs are significantly altered, particularly Begbie’s more personal vendetta against Renton.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Spud’s suicide attempt and Renton saving him.
• Begbie escaping prison using a bedframe.
• Renton and Sick Boy reminiscing in the pub over drinks.
• Spud’s visualized writing sequences, blending memory and reality.
• The tense final confrontation in the half-built pub.

Iconic Quotes

• Renton: “You’re a tourist in your own youth.”
• Spud: “I’m not a junkie, I’m a survivor.”
• Begbie: “The only thing I hate more than a liar is a thief.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The hotel scene with Begbie’s son mirrors a scene from the first film, with reversed roles.
• Renton’s final bedroom dance directly mirrors his “Choose Life” sprint from the first film, this time in a calmer, more reflective tone.
• Old footage from Trainspotting is spliced into Spud’s writing sequences, connecting past and present visually.

Trivia

• The “Choose Life” speech is reimagined for the social media era.
• Ewan McGregor initially refused to work with Boyle after their fallout on The Beach, but they reconciled for this sequel.
• The script underwent multiple rewrites to balance nostalgia with a new story.

Why Watch?

If you loved the original Trainspotting, this is a powerful, bittersweet companion piece that explores what happens when reckless youth gives way to complicated adulthood. It’s a film about regret, resilience, and the strange pull of home.

Director’s Other Movies

• Trainspotting (1996)
• 28 Days Later (2002)
• Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
• 127 Hours (2010)
• Steve Jobs (2015)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Commitments (1991)
• Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)
• Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
• Requiem for a Dream (2000)
• Snatch (2000)