Ballad of a Small Player is a new film set to release on Netflix on October 29. Before its streaming debut, it screened at this year’s Telluride Film Festival and premiered in select U.S. theaters on October 15. Written by Rowan Joffé and directed by Edward Berger, the film stars Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings, and Tilda Swinton. The story follows a high-stakes gambler who retreats to Macau after his debts and past misdeeds catch up with him — only to encounter a kindred spirit who may hold the key to his salvation.

In recent years, Edward Berger has become one of the most exciting filmmakers working today, earning a reputation for precision and emotional depth. While Colin Farrell’s name alone draws plenty of attention, it’s Berger’s involvement that gives Ballad of a Small Player an extra layer of prestige. It’s always impressive when a director consistently delivers new work every year or two — and given that Berger’s previous film was a Best Picture nominee, expectations for this one are understandably high. Unfortunately, those hoping for something on par with his last effort may come away disappointed. This is a film best approached with tempered expectations.

With a brisk 102-minute runtime, the film unfolds across three distinct acts — each tonally different, yet ultimately cohesive. The first act is nothing short of phenomenal. Fueled by a roaring score and breathtaking cinematography, it pulls you straight into its dark, alluring world. It may very well stand among the strongest opening acts of any film this year.

Then comes the second act. As the story shifts locations, the visuals lose some of their earlier brilliance, and the pacing begins to drag — a noticeable issue given the film’s relatively short length. With a score this sweeping, you’d expect relentless suspense, but the tension falters here. The middle section not only slows the film’s momentum, it also builds toward a climactic twist that, unfortunately, feels telegraphed long before it arrives.

The third act initially seems poised to bring the film full circle, thematically tying everything together. However, once the twist is revealed, much of the preceding momentum dissipates. It feels as though the film wants us to empathize with a man who believes he’s won it all, yet that emotional connection never fully lands — largely because the plot point driving it feels underdeveloped. With so many morally ambiguous, even despicable characters in play, it becomes difficult to root for anyone.

That said, Colin Farrell remains exceptional. Remarkably, he released three films in 2022 — all of which earned critical acclaim — and hasn’t appeared on screen again until this year, with Ballad of a Small Player and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. Regardless of a film’s overall quality, Farrell consistently elevates the material; this performance is no exception. He’s one of the rare actors who can shine even in a project that doesn’t quite land. In a role that relies so heavily on his presence and nuance, it’s easy to imagine Farrell and Berger collaborating again in the future — and hopefully with even greater results.

Some filmmakers seem as though they never stop to take a break. Christopher Nolan continues to deliver a major film every few years, and Luca Guadagnino appeared unstoppable for a while — though his constant output seemed to catch up with him in this year’s After the Hunt. Similarly, of the three films Edward Berger has released in as many years, Ballad of a Small Player appears to be the least well-received — and it’s not hard to see why. It’s easy to imagine the film being rushed through production. Even taking a different approach to the twist — or omitting it altogether — might have allowed the film’s themes to resonate more deeply.

As it stands, Ballad of a Small Player doesn’t leave the audience with much to hold onto. I understand what it’s trying to say, but the storytelling feels too hurried to let those ideas sink in. The result is a film that’s admirable in craft but uneven in execution — one that seems to be sprinting toward its conclusion instead of letting its story and setting breathe naturally.

Overall, Ballad of a Small Player is a visual feast, anchored by an awe-inspiring score and a captivating lead performance. Yet, despite these strengths, the film leans more toward style than substance. As a story positioned as a character study, it ultimately needed more depth and exploration. There’s a rich narrative at its core that feels rushed, leaving some of its thematic potential unrealized. For viewers familiar with the well-received novel it’s based on, it’s understandable why the film may feel underwhelming. Still, there’s reason to be optimistic: Edward Berger has demonstrated remarkable skill in the past, and it’s easy to imagine him taking lessons from this experience to deliver something exceptional in his next project.

VERDICT: 3/5 – Good