Luck, or maybe the thrill of winning, is what gamblers chase until they fall deep into addiction, left with mounting debts and haunting regrets. Ballad of a Small Player asks if this luck is real or just a mirage.
Directed by Edward Berger, following last year’s acclaimed Conclave, the film stars Colin Farrell as Lord Doyle in a story about gambling addiction and crushing debt. The narrative is layered with reflective moments that feel human and instructive, balancing realism with spirituality.
When the film opens, Lord Doyle, a high-stakes gambler, wakes up in a cluttered room with leftovers scattered everywhere. He begins his morning routine with a brief voiceover introducing himself and his addiction. First a shave, then a bath. He slips into his green suit, pink shirt, and bright yellow pair of “lucky” gloves before heading out to gamble away what little money he has left.
Debt-ridden, Lord Doyle is hiding in Macau, described in the film as “the gambling capital of the universe,” not for a vacation but because of a crime he’s committed. The more his debts and drinking habits grow, the more time he spends on casino floors, drinking and gambling in pursuit of a lucky break.
Eventually, Dao Ming, portrayed by Fala Chen, a casino employee with secrets of her own, offers him a lifeline. Meanwhile, Betty, played by Cynthia Blithe, a private investigator, is hot on Doyle’s trail, determined to confront him with the truth about the crime he’s running from. As Doyle battles his addiction, reality starts to catch up. The entire plot hinges on one question: Will Lord Doyle find redemption or hit rock bottom?
The psychological thriller, adapted from Lawrence Osborne’s novel and written by Rowan Joffe, known for Before I Go to Sleep and Brighton Rock, offers a grounded look at gambling addiction set in Macau. The city is captured in all its neon-lit glory through fireworks, casinos, colors, and high-rise buildings. This gives Ballad of a Small Player a visual strength. The choice of Macau instead of the typical Las Vegas setting provides a more unique and atmospheric backdrop.
The soundtrack fits well, with deep bass and piano-driven tracks enhancing the mysterious and emotional tone. Berger uses music the way he did in Conclave, setting the mood and raising tension when needed without disrupting the flow. Production design delivers vibrant, chaotic visuals that feel alive.
Lord Doyle’s yellow lucky gloves are symbolic. For a character deep in debt and losing every gamble, the color yellow offers a subtle suggestion of hope that one day he might win. This hope is eventually fulfilled. Amid the gambling chaos around him, Lord Doyle’s wardrobe maintains bright colors suggesting possibility.
Farrell anchors the film as Lord Doyle. His character is vulnerable, reckless, relentless, and remorseful. His belief in luck is both infuriating and inspiring, something only a miracle could justify. His line, “All I need is one big win, Kai, and they will be throwing limousines at me,” cements this stubborn faith.
Farrell embodies distress convincingly, personifying the thrill of abandonment, surrender to excess, and the rush of constant, perilous risk. His pain is felt by viewers, drawing their pity. They begin to root for him as a way to compensate for his endless losses before he hits rock bottom. This is where Ballad of a Small Player gets its message right. It suggests support and forgiveness for addicts. Farrell’s character reminds viewers that everyone deserves patience, love, and a chance at redemption.
As the mysterious woman offering salvation to Lord Doyle, Chen’s Dao Ming delivers the film’s reflective core. She holds a contemplative space with her performance, prompting viewers to think about life, redemption, death, and spirituality. She represents the redemption Lord Doyle seeks.
One scene that hits hard is when Lord Doyle sees a man fall past the dining room window where he’s eating. The scene shows what hitting rock bottom looks like: a crumpled body on top of a car in a parking lot, with judging eyes all around for committing suicide. The disturbing sight deepens Doyle’s distress and his desire for redemption.
Despite its strengths, the ending of Ballad of a Small Player is confusing, especially the scene where Lord Doyle throws away the money he won. It only makes sense if viewers understand he’s giving it to the ghosts, with Dao Ming becoming his own ghost and the reason behind his streak of luck. It could also suggest his redemption after realizing everything is fleeting.
Overall, Ballad of a Small Player stands out as Edward Berger’s haunting and well-crafted follow-up, though not quite reaching the heights of Conclave. Its strong performances, striking setting, and moody soundtrack combine to create a story that lingers. While the film offers Lord Doyle salvation, the question of what might have happened if he’d never found redemption stays with you.
Release Date: October 29, 2025
Runtime: 122 minutes
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Director(s): Edward Berger
Cast: Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Selena Fong, Ellie Law, Christina Yong, Suki Wong, Tyler Holland, Alex Jennings and Tilda Swinton and is produced by Mike Goodridge, Berger and Matthew James Wilkinson.