Colin Farrell Stars in Visually Striking Netflix Drama 'Ballad of a Small Player'

The Netflix film "Ballad of a Small Player," directed by Edward Berger and starring Colin Farrell, centers on a high-stakes gambler hiding out in Macau whose past and debts threaten to catch up with him. Critics have praised the film's striking visuals and Farrell's compelling performance, though the narrative has received mixed reviews, holding a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Farrell described Macau as a more family-oriented gambling hub compared to Las Vegas, highlighting its unique atmosphere which influenced the film's setting. The story explores themes of addiction and desperation, with Farrell portraying Lord Doyle, a man spiraling due to his gambling debts. Berger's direction marks a stylistic departure from his previous works, focusing on the psychological and physical effects of Doyle's struggles. However, some reviewers noted the film falls short as a psychological thriller, missing the complexity found in the original novel by Lawrence Osborne.