Colin Farrell stars as Lord Doyle, a desperate gambler navigating dangerous debts and personal demons in the upcoming Netflix film Ballad of a Small Player, directed by Edward Berger. The story unfolds in Macau, where Doyle’s risky bets and heavy drinking place him at odds with a relentless private investigator determined to catch him. The film’s screenplay, adapted from Lawrence Osborne’s novel by Rowan Joffe, explores themes of desperation and survival against a tense casino backdrop.
Leading Cast and Production Details
Farrell plays the troubled Doyle, who is pursued by Cynthia Blithe, a private investigator portrayed by Tilda Swinton. Fala Chen joins the cast as Dao Ming, a casino worker with hidden motives who offers Doyle a chance at redemption. The cast also includes Deanie Ip and Alex Jennings. Chen is known for her roles in high-profile productions such as
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire
and MCU’s
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Edward Berger, acclaimed for
All Quiet on the Western Front
, directs the film, with producers Berger, Mike Goodridge, and Matthew James Wilkinson overseeing the project. Colin Farrell will be honored with the Golden Icon Award at the 2025 Zurich Film Festival, where Ballad of a Small Player will also screen.
Plot Overview
The narrative follows Doyle as he hides out in Macau, spending days and nights gambling on casino floors while drowning in mounting debts and despair. Dao Ming, a mysterious casino employee, approaches him with a possible lifeline, yet Doyle’s past and present troubles are closing in. Meanwhile, Cynthia Blithe is hot on his trail, ready to uncover what Doyle has been trying to escape.
Release and Festival Screenings
Ballad of a Small Player is scheduled to premiere at the Telluride Film Festival before making its Canadian debut at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. It will be released in select theaters across the United States on October 15, followed by openings in the United Kingdom and Ireland on October 17. The film then arrives on Netflix on October 29, making it accessible to a wider global audience.
Significance and Anticipation
This film marks a compelling addition to the psychological thriller genre, combining Edward Berger’s acclaimed directing with Colin Farrell’s intense portrayal of a man on the edge. The tension between Doyle’s desperation and the pursuit by Cynthia Blithe sets the stage for a gripping exploration of fate, chance, and survival within the high-stakes world of Macau casinos. The film’s inclusion in prestigious festivals and Farrell’s recognition at Zurich underscore its industry relevance ahead of its wide release.
