‘Ballad of a Small Player’ Review: A Visually Stunning Film with a Predictable Climax

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Following his Oscar-nominated film Conclave, director Edward Berger delivers Ballad of a Small Player, another visually striking story about a man struggling with inner conflict. Colin Farrell stars as a slick but desperate con man fleeing gambling debts in the vibrant city of Macau. Despite his flashy clothes and confident attitude, it’s clear he’s falling apart, and he embarks on a desperate search for a way to turn things around. While Farrell gives a compelling and nuanced performance and the film boasts beautiful visuals, it doesn’t quite succeed as a thrilling psychological story. The plot feels predictable, and it lacks the depth and well-developed supporting characters found in Lawrence Osborne’s original 2014 novel.

The film Ballad of a Small Player opens with stunning views of Macau at night, showcasing its bright hotels and casinos. The camera then focuses on a lavish hotel suite where Lord Doyle (Farrell) is passed out, surrounded by empty champagne bottles and room service leftovers—evidence of a wild night. He eventually gets up, showers, and carefully grooms himself, even shaving his thin mustache, before putting on an extravagant green suit. His preparations are interrupted by a knock at the door, and Doyle quickly hides as the bill for his expenses is slipped under the door.

Doyle tries to slip away unnoticed in the hotel lobby, but the manager, Mr. Huang, stops him and points out the large amount of money he still owes. Doyle assures him that his bank in London will send the payment as quickly as possible, likely by the next business day since it’s the weekend. Huang makes it clear that if Doyle doesn’t pay or tries to leave Macau without doing so, he’ll have to contact the authorities.

Even though he has no money left, Doyle heads to another casino in the rain, convinced his luck has to change. He’s confident his talent for baccarat will return and allow him to pay off his debts. Unaware he’s being followed by a mysterious woman (Tilda Swinton), Doyle asks the casino for a loan so he can play against Grandma (Deanie Ip), a notoriously tough and wealthy card player.


Netflix

Actor Benedict Berger (known for roles in Patrick Melrose and All Quiet on the Western Front) consistently keeps the story focused on his character, Doyle. We experience Ballad of a Small Player entirely through Doyle’s eyes, with the cinematography emphasizing his frantic and deceptive nature. Doyle stubbornly ignores the obvious – that he’s a fraud, as the locals clearly see. He’s labeled a “gweilo” – a Cantonese term for white people used as a racial slur – and continues to pretend, desperately hoping for a major success. He’ll take advantage of anyone’s kindness to maintain his dishonest lifestyle, but the film leaves you wondering: what happens when he’s exhausted all his options and has no one left to exploit?

Fala Chen plays Dao Ming, a casino worker who extends credit to wealthy gamblers in Macau. She’s seen firsthand the tragic consequences of addiction. Her sympathy for Doyle, whom she sees as a troubled man, sets him on a perilous path of self-discovery. It’s unclear why Dao Ming chooses to help him, or if he even deserves it, considering his life of theft and betrayal. Doyle is the cause of his own problems, making every bad situation worse. The question remains: can he overcome his destructive tendencies?

Despite his terrible choices, Doyle remains a compelling and sympathetic character. Colin Farrell doesn’t play him as a ruthless villain; instead, Doyle comes across as genuinely warm and, surprisingly, someone you almost root for. He desperately wants to be seen as a rich, important man, and this desire never lets up, even as his body falls apart. We see him physically decline, nervously handling cards with shaking hands. Each game he plays feels like it could be his last, or a chance at redemption. Farrell masterfully gives this flawed and arguably reprehensible character a surprising amount of heart.


Netflix

Despite a strong performance by Farrell, Ballad of a Small Player doesn’t quite come together. The different storylines feel disconnected, and Doyle’s complicated situation unfolds slowly and unsatisfactorily. What should be a shocking ending falls flat, and a major plot point is obvious from the beginning, leaving it without the intended emotional impact. Doyle ultimately arrives at a conclusion that the audience anticipates, but the film stretches out the journey unnecessarily. His eventual realization feels forced rather than genuinely moving or regretful.

While the film showcases Macau’s flashy side alongside its gritty underbelly, the contrast feels superficial. The beautiful scenes don’t quite connect to the story, and the film relies too much on visuals instead of developing the plot and characters. It’s a surprisingly shallow work from a director known for his depth, resulting in a visually appealing movie that ultimately lacks substance.

The movie Ballad of a Small Player is playing in select theaters now, and will be available to stream on Netflix starting October 29th.

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2025-10-29 18:39