deloudelouvain Review of A Thousand Junkies

A Thousand Junkies (2017)

Reality is harsher but this isn't reality, this is a movie.

[8/10 · 21 February 2020]

I get it that some other reviewers call this unrealistic, I really do. They probably saw their share of desperate junkies, I did as well, so comparing their life to this movie just doesn't work. The reality of heroin addiction is much worse and harsher than shown in this movie. But nevertheless A Thousand Junkies is well made, it's interesting to watch, it has some decent acting, and even though they don't look like hardcore-beyond-saving heroin addicts there are very recognizable stereotypes portrayed in this movie. The constant lying, the fake promises, never having a dime in their pockets, always looking to con, steal or do whatever it needs to be done to get their next fix, it's like watching the daily routine of any street junkie. I've lived in a big city, saw dozens of those zombies, knew some personally that drifted away from being normal to become a waste of space, so for that the story is accurate, but the reality is just so much worse. A Thousand Junkies is just a soft impression of addiction but it's enjoyable to watch.