The Ballad of a Small Player (2025)

Overview

"The Ballad of a Small Player" is a 2025 British psychological thriller with elements of black comedy and drama, directed by Edward Berger from a screenplay by Rowan Joffe, based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Lawrence Osborne. The action unfolds amid the luxurious casinos of Macau, where the protagonist, Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell), is a gambler hiding from his past and debts. He becomes fascinated by a mysterious woman (Fala Chen) at the baccarat table, and this encounter sets off a chain of events that force him to confront his own demons, addiction, and the temptation to risk everything for redemption. The film explores the psychology of a gambler, the trap of addiction, corruption and superstition, as well as the existential crisis of a man on the edge. Also starring Tilda Swinton, Alex Jennings, and Dini Ip. The world premiere took place at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 2025.