Ballad of a Small Player

Ballad of a Small Player

2025
★★★☆☆ 5.8/10
⏱️ 101 minutes
📅 Released
🌐 EN
CrimeDrama
Amid the glittering casinos of Macau, a gambler running from his past — and his debts — becomes fascinated by an enigmatic woman at the baccarat table.

Where to Watch (US)

Stream

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads

User Reviews

Manuel São Bento
★ 8/10
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://movieswetextedabout.com/ballad-of-a-small-player-movie-review-a-sensory-overload-carried-by-colin-farrells-magnetic-performance/ "Ballad of a Small Player is a sensorial experience elevated by all the artists involved. It's a story about a man trying to find himself amidst a culture marked by out-of-control capitalism and greed manifested through audiovisual intoxication. Despite a slightly unbalanced first act and a central relationship that deserved more screentime, the film is a triumph of form, technique, and, above all, the magnetic performance of Colin Farrell. It's his misery and his desperate search for authenticity that grip us, culminating in a powerful, satisfying conclusion. It deserves to be seen on the big screen for its scale and ambition. When all the cards are on the table, the real bet is never on luck, but on the courage to be real." Rating: A-
October 24, 2025

Crew

Director
Edward Berger
Writer
Rowan Joffé
Producer
Mike Goodridge, Edward Berger, Matthew James Wilkinson

Production

Good Chaos, Stigma Films, Nine Hours

Keywords

based on novel or bookgamblerduringcreditsstingermacau