The Ballad of a Small Player: Everything we know about Netflix's upcoming psychological thriller drama starring Colin Farrell

After assuming the role of a big player in The Penguin, Colin Farrell is now set to appear in Edward Berger's The Ballad of a Small Player, where he is in the lead, so we assume he is the small player here. While Berger is behind the camera, Rowan Joffe has given the screenplay for it.

The plot is based on the eponymous book by Lawrence Osborne, who has written other stories like The Forgiven, Hunters in the Dark, and more. Other than that, he is known for his long-form writings in publications including The New Yorker, Salon, The New York Times Magazine, and more.

Despite the film's announcement last year, we are yet to see the trailer. There isn't an update regarding it, nor do we have any release window for it. As for its cast, Tilda Swinton, Fala Chen, and more are in it.

---

Everything confirmed about The Ballad of a Small Player

Colin Farrell is the leading man in The Ballad of a Small Player, while more members are likely to join the cast. That said, who plays whom in the upcoming film is still a big question, but Farrell will be portraying Lord Doyle in it. Other than that, we can only give a list of confirmed actors other than Farrell and Swinton, which goes like this:

• Alex Jennings
• Jason Tobin
• Fala Chen
• Deannie Ip
• Adrienne Lau
• Margaret Cheung

According to Netflix Tudum, the synopsis of the film reads:

"When his past and his debts start to catch up with him, a high-stakes gambler laying low in Macau encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation."

Though it was mainly filmed in Macau, some parts are said to have been shot in Hong Kong too. James Friend, who has also worked with Berger on All Quiet on the Western Front, helmed the cinematography of The Ballad of a Small Player.

---

What is the original story about?

The Ballad of a Small Player revolves around Lord Doyle, who is hiding in Macau, which is China's equivalent to Las Vegas. His favorite game in the story remains punto banco baccarat, sort of akin to what we saw Bond participating in Casino Royale.

Casinos, hotels—he is seemingly living his life but that's not the case here. Doyle isn't just a gambler but a thief too. This is proved when he meets Dao Ming, whom Fala Chen will likely play in the movie, who tries to save him.

Doyle's health is deteriorating and Dao helps him recover by taking care of him at her home. Everything turns out just fine, only that Doyle escapes after stealing whatever he can from her. He later uses them for, yes! you guessed that right, gambling. And he wins. A lot.

All in all, the story is about desires that never, ever get satisfied. We don't know if the film will follow everything in the book, but the film adaptation of The Ballad of a Small Player is likely to have luxury food and alcohol.

---

Also Read: Locked: Everything we know about the upcoming thriller film starring Anthony Hopkins and Bill Skarsgård