Ballad Of A Small Player

2025 Netflix

Rated: R

Length: 1 hr 41min

Drama ~ Psychological Thriller

Starring: Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings, and Tilda Swinton.

Every gamble is more than just a game.

Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is a troubled British gambler trying to escape his past and mounting debts in the opulent casinos of Macau. Doyle’s world is defined by risk and uncertainty, and his fortunes shift with every card he plays. Amidst the neon glow, he strikes up an unlikely connection with Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino worker who offers him both sympathy and subtle guidance. Their relationship brings moments of genuine warmth, even as Doyle struggles to find meaning and redemption in his turbulent lifestyle.

As Doyle’s luck teeters between boom and bust, the story delves into themes of chance and consequence. The arrival of Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), a private investigator from England, complicates his desperate bid for freedom. Cynthia challenges Doyle to confront uncomfortable truths about his past, and their interactions provide both tension and unexpected compassion. Macau itself becomes a vibrant character in the film, contrasting glitzy casino life with the darker realities lurking beneath.

The film explores Doyle’s evolving relationships and the emotional costs of living on the edge. Dao Ming (Fala Chen) acts as a confidant and a compass, while Cynthia (Tilda Swinton) exposes Doyle’s vulnerability and forces him to reconsider his choices. Each encounter pushes Doyle closer to facing the consequences of his actions, making his journey through Macau both suspenseful and introspective.

Colin Farrell delivers an engaging and nuanced portrayal of a flawed, desperate gambler, while Fala Chen and Tilda Swinton add depth and intrigue to the story. The film’s stylish depiction of Macau’s casino world, combined with its blend of dark humor and emotional depth, creates a unique cinematic experience. Though it’s not a traditional thriller or straightforward drama, its haunting mood and layered storytelling make it a captivating watch. Ballad Of A Small Player and Colin Farrell invite us into a world of risk, regret, and the search for redemption.

Ballad of a Small Player is a 2025 British psychological thriller film directed by Edward Berger and written by Rowan Joffé, based on the 2014 novel The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne.

Colin Farrell stars as Lord Doyle, a man laying low in Macao, spending his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling what little money he has left. Struggling to keep up with his fast-rising debts, he is offered a lifeline by the mysterious Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino employee with secrets of her own. However, in hot pursuit is Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), a private investigator ready to confront Doyle with what he is running from. As Doyle tries to climb to salvation, the confines of reality start to close in.