Netflix’s latest psychological thriller Ballad of a Small Player has quickly captured viewers’ attention since its release last week, sparking a flood of reactions on social media.
Directed by Edward Berger and based on Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel — hailed as a modern masterpiece — the film explores the fragile human psyche amid the dazzling chaos of Macau. The screenplay comes from Rowan Joffé, known for 28 Weeks Later and The American.
Colin Farrell stars as a professional gambler drowning in debt and self-destruction, spending his days drifting between the neon-lit casinos and smoky bars of Macau. His portrayal captures both the addiction and emptiness that define his character’s slow collapse.
Visually, the film is stunning. Berger, acclaimed for All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave, once again blends haunting imagery with emotional subtlety, turning Macau into a living, breathing character.
Viewers have called the movie “hypnotic,” praising Farrell’s “mesmerizing, emotionally restrained performance.” One fan wrote on X: “The story drew me in, the city was mesmerizing, and Colin Farrell was incredible. A must-watch.”
However, critics remain divided. The Guardian gave the film three stars, while The New York Times noted, “It holds a great story, but gets lost in its own decoration.”
Featuring Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings, and Tilda Swinton alongside Farrell, Ballad of a Small Player offers a haunting reflection on luck, loss, and loneliness — shimmering under the neon lights of a city that never truly sleeps.