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Ballad of a Small Player

Play trailer 2:17 Poster for Ballad of a Small Player R 2025 1h 42m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
49% Tomatometer 150 Reviews 50% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
When his past and his debts start to catch up with him, a high-stakes gambler lying low in Macau encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
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Ballad of a Small Player

Ballad of a Small Player

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Critics Consensus

Going all in with a committed Colin Farrell and a memorably opulent presentation of Macau, Ballad of a Small Player too often squanders its virtues by doubling down on excess to diminishing returns.

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Critics Reviews

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Tim Cogshell FilmWeek (LAist) Nov 10
Colin is just outstanding in this film. He's fully and completely committed to the character. Go to Full Review
Peter Rainer FilmWeek (LAist) Nov 10
It's very loud, sleazy, lurid, and decadent -- and I enjoyed it. Go to Full Review
Will Sloan Sight & Sound Nov 4
Farrell commits with an energetic physical performance, and Berger’s camera revels in all the flaws of the star’s middle-age handsomeness, but their efforts strain what is little more than a simple, feel-good redemption story. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 4d
2/4
...an increasingly erratic endeavor that fares best within its briskly-paced, engaging first half... Go to Full Review
Filipe Freitas Always Good Movies Feb 4
3/5
The film never quite coheres as a whole, and its twists are unlikely to astonish, but Farrell remains a constant source of fascination. Go to Full Review
Alfred Castaneda Shade Studios Jan 20
There’s a twist, but overall, it’s remarkably uneven in a way that All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave weren’t. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Deal Mae In Oct 19 Saw the twist coming, so only half a star off. Colin Farrell is a raw nerve in this, with his character’s blurry need for self-implosion redeemed by his capacity for change. If his world feels decadently claustrophobic when he is at his worst, just wait, the payoff is worth the slow burn. See more Andrew G @Granty676 1d This is refreshingly different with excellent acting, a beautiful storyline, very strong characters, is elegant and convincing, with superb cinematography around Macau and a depth easily missed if you just need a 'film fix' . This is the thinking person's filmography at its best, It is a film you can watch again and find something new. It doesnt have all the inane, banal sludge that we are bombarded with today, no AI, no regurgetated storyline, no sub-standard acting bolstered with hideous special effects. In a word, Wonderful! Watch this Film !! See more Eli A @RT40328652 6d Went on a long spiral with an ending that was a let down. See more Fausto A @FaustoAlongi. 6d A ballad of disparate tales. See more Sigfus M @Sigfus Jul 9 Ballad of a Small Player 2025 directed by Edward Berger. Superb direction and I think oscar winning performance by Colin Farrel. This was a riveting deep dive into a gamblers psyche, trap of addiction, corruption and superstition. A fascinating tale with unpredictable plot twists and complex relationships that kept building leaving me still making connections and spotting moments the next morning. A must watch. See more Noel L @RT15930389 Jun 19 This basically felt like a copycat of Leaving Las Vegas, just as depressing even though it wasn't based on a true story See more Read all reviews
Ballad of a Small Player

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Movie Info

Synopsis When his past and his debts start to catch up with him, a high-stakes gambler lying low in Macau encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
Director
Edward Berger
Producer
Edward Berger, Mike Goodridge, Matthew James Wilkinson
Screenwriter
Rowan Joffe
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Stigma Films, Good Chaos
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 15, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 29, 2025
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital