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Gambler's Downward Spiral Leads to Redemption in Macau
8 Oct
Summary
- Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler struggling with debts
- Fala Chen portrays a casino employee with secrets of her own
- Tilda Swinton's character is determined to uncover the gambler's past
On October 29, 2025, the psychological thriller 'Ballad of a Small Player' is set to premiere on Netflix. The film, directed by Edward Berger, stars Colin Farrell as Lord Doyle, a high-stakes gambler who has fled to Macau to escape his mounting debts.
Doyle spends his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling with the little money he has left. However, his past is quickly catching up with him, and he is thrown a lifeline by a mysterious casino employee, Dao Ming, played by Fala Chen. Dao Ming harbors secrets of her own, and her connection with Doyle may hold the key to his salvation.
Meanwhile, a sharp private eye named Cynthia Blithe, portrayed by Tilda Swinton, is closing in on Doyle, determined to uncover the very thing he is trying to escape. As Doyle struggles to climb to salvation, the confines of reality start to close in, and he must confront his demons in order to find redemption.
The film reunites director Edward Berger with key members of his 'All Quiet on the Western Front' crew, including Academy Award-winning cinematographer James Friend and composer Volker Bertelmann. 'Ballad of a Small Player' promises to be a gripping and visually stunning exploration of the high-stakes world of gambling and the human cost of addiction.
