Colin Farrell is having a strong year, winning a Golden Globe for his role as Oz Cobb in “The Penguin.” His next project presents serious challenges he must address with intelligence.
Ballad of a Small Player (2025) had a world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 2025, but with only 27 critics’ reviews at the time of writing, the film gained a 65 percent Rotten Tomatoes score.
Plot details of Ballad of a Small Player (2025)
Ballad of a Small Player is based on Lawrence Osborne’s novel of the same name. The story revolves around Lord Doyle (played by Colin Farrell), who is a high-stakes gambler but is struggling with his finances.
He is forced to stay low in Macau but knows he desperately needs help. That is when he has to face his gambling past to deal with his mounting debts.
One of his close family relations becomes the source of his salvation, as he tries hard to extricate himself from a dead-end situation.
Watch the trailer here:
Director’s vision for the film
Conclave’s (2024) director, Edward Berger, explained his vision in detail to Variety before the film was going to debut at the festival. He said,
“This story is a first-person perspective story. We want to go every step with Colin Farrell. We want to sweat, we want to laugh, we want to cry with them.” [Source]
He explained that Macau was selected for a reason. The place is exciting and happening. It is full of colors, sensory vibes in each passing moment, and the love of music that helped in shaping the film and the deep characterization of Farrell, as the place served as a catalyst.
He felt the best elements of his filmmaking experience this time were putting one shot after another in a way that showed Farrell’s character from all angles. He needed to be close to the character as everything was happening around him. It was the best way to represent Lord Doyle, Berger elucidated.
Far more than a backdrop, Macau’s neon-soaked streets and casino culture mirror Lord Doyle’s internal chaos, turning the city into a character of its own.
Fresh off his Golden Globe win for The Penguin, Farrell pivots from Gotham’s gritty streets to the dazzling yet desperate underworld of Macau in Ballad of a Small Player, showcasing his impressive range.
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When is Ballad of a Small Player (2025) releasing?
Ballad of a Small Player (2025) will be released in limited theatres on October 17, while for a wider audience, Netflix will be the streaming source for the film’s opening on October 29.
Genre: Psychological drama, thriller, crime, mystery
Cast: Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Tilda Swinton, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings
Director: Edward Berger
Writers: Rowan Joffe, Lawrence Osborne
Producers: Edward Berger, Mike Goodridge, Matthew James Wilkinson
Release date: October 29, 2025
Movie runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes
Could this be Farrell’s most complex role yet? Whether you catch it in theatres or enjoy it on Netflix, the question can only be answered after its worldwide premiere.
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.
When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in the world of entertainment—watching new releases, revisiting classics, exploring behind-the-scenes content, or reading books that fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives her work and helps her stay connected to what matters most in the industry.
Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.
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