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Colin Farrell Can't Save Gambling Stinker 'Ballad of a Small Player' From Going Bust
The film explores the spiraling downfall of a gambler in Macao where betting turnover is seven times higher than in London, highlighting themes of deception and decline.
- On Friday, October 17th Ballad of a Small Player opens in cinemas and streams on October 29th, following Lord Doyle, a down-and-out gambler spiraling toward ruin in Macao.
- Director Edward Berger adapted the story from Lawrence Osborne's novel, making this his third film in four years after All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave.
- With just 72 hours to settle a casino bill, Lord Doyle relies on short-lived deception while only two people in Macao see through his mask.
- Critics single out Colin Farrell's performance as the film's anchor, widely crediting him with eating the part alive even as they question the film's awards season prospects due to its fading finale.
- Set in Macau, the film uses vulgar spectacle to explore greed and excess, situating Doyle in a gambling hub where betting turnover is more than seven times its nearest rival.
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Ballad of a Small Player: Colin Farrell gives it socks but messy casino thriller fails to find jackpot
It’s all gone sideways for the man who calls himself Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell). An insatiable gambler without a penny or a clue, the best dressed tourist in Macau looks to have blown his fortune on too many card games and too many bottles of Dom Perignon.
·Ireland
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Filmmaker Edward Berger explains how, after the Vatican in "Conclave", he opted for Macau casinos.
·Montreal, Canada
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After "Konklave" the Oscar-nominated director Edward Berger follows up with a dreamy-crazy Netflix film. But does the film convince with Colin Farrell in the leading role? This article was sorted under TV series / web series, Netflix, Entertainment, series, film reviews, New on Netflix: These film and series highlights start in October 2025.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 20%
R 20%
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