A highly anticipated Netflix thriller is already being hailed as a potential award winner, boasting a cast of almost unrecognisable stars.
Colin Farrell, star of The Batman spin-off series The Penguin, takes the lead in the forthcoming film Ballad of A Small Player, which is based on an award-winning novel.
The much-anticipated thriller is also helmed by Oscar-winning director Edward Berger.
His English-language debut Conclave was both a critical and commercial triumph. It followed another successful film from the director, All Quiet on the Western Front, which was also launched on Netflix.
Netflix has now unveiled a fresh trailer, offering fans a sneak peek at what’s to come. But what is the film about? Who else stars in it? When is it released? And what are fans saying? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is Ballad of A Small Player about?
Lord Doyle is keeping a low profile in Macau, spending his days and nights in the casino, drinking heavily and gambling away his remaining money. Struggling to keep up with his rapidly increasing debts, he is thrown a lifeline by the enigmatic Dao Ming, a casino worker with her own secrets.
However, hot on his heels is Cynthia Blithe – a private investigator ready to confront Doyle with what he is fleeing from. As Doyle attempts to ascend to salvation, the boundaries of reality begin to tighten, reports the Mirror.
The film is based on the eponymous novel penned by Lawrence Osbourne. The screenplay was written by Rowan Joffe, known for his previous work on 28 Weeks Later.
Who stars in Ballad of A Small Player?
The full cast list for the film has yet to be disclosed. However, here’s what we know so far:
- Colin Farrell as Lord Doyle
- The Undoing’s Fala Chen as Dao Ming
- Tilda Swinton as Cynthia Blithe
- Deanie Ip
- MobLand and The Crown star Alex Jennings in an unknown role.
What’s the buzz around Ballad of A Small Player?
Fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the film, with excitement building since the debut of the first trailer. Many are already lauding what appears to be a stellar performance from leading man Colin Farrell.
Some have speculated that he could be in line for more accolades following his role in The Penguin series. One fan remarked on the trailer: “This era of Collin is the one we’ve been wanting since he broke in. Love it.”
Another concurred: “Colin Farrell is an amazing actor. He deserves an Oscar soon.” With another adding: “Netflix please don’t fail him, getting Colin his Oscar!”
Meanwhile, one viewer declared: “Colin is so underrated. He was always unfairly typecast and he’s just now getting the roles he deserves. I’d love to see him in more indie stuff. And mad love for Tilda. I’ll be paying for this. Give us real movies again!”.
Others are keen to see what the director of the film has been up to since they themselves won an Oscar. One person posted: “Betting it all on Berger. The cinematography in this looks absolutely incredible, with stylistic flourishes that we’ve never seen from him. This is gonna be a great film and a major awards contender.”
Another viewer enthused: “Edward Berger is making back to back masterpieces with All Quiet and Conclave as if it were nothing.”
When will A Ballad of A Small Player be released?
The film is among a select few Netflix titles that will have a brief cinema run before being available for streaming. It will grace the big screen in a limited number of cinemas from 15 October.
Subscribers won’t have to wait too long to enjoy it from their own living room. It will be ready for streaming just a fortnight later, from 29 October.