If you suddenly decide to read the book first and then this movie, you'd better not. The book is completely incomprehensible! More like a set of words. Only the introduction is adequately written, from which it becomes clear that everything further is a junkie nonsense. This can't be said about the movie. There is not much adequacy in it either, but it is a movie, not a book.
The main thing is not to forget that the film is about an addict, then it's easier to take.
Cronenberg knew what he was doing when he took on Burroughs' most scandalous book. Instead of another heepy "On the Needle," you get a real art house that's almost impossible to understand without training. Fortunately, the film doesn't include Burroughs' most powerful comings and goings, "Hostel 2" being a baby's plaything in comparison.
It is very difficult to understand the film, like a man who has tried all the drugs in the world, but why not try it?
The movie is not for everyone, but only for art-house lovers.