Edward Berger’s Ballad of a Small Player Gets First Netflix Teaser
Colin Farrell leads the tense psychological thriller Ballad of a Small Player, with Netflix releasing the film worldwide this October after its Toronto premiere.
Netflix has unveiled the first official teaser for Ballad of a Small Player, a psychological thriller directed by Oscar winner Edward Berger. Adapted from Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel, the film stars Colin Farrell as a down-on-his-luck gambler navigating the casinos of Macau. With its release, Netflix launches the film’s global campaign ahead of its fall debut.
The film will make its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2025, before arriving in select U.S. theaters on October 15. It will then stream worldwide on Netflix starting October 29, giving audiences the choice to experience it on the big screen or from home.
Berger, who recently won acclaim for All Quiet on the Western Front, reunites with a strong creative team. Screenwriter Rowan Joffé adapts Osborne’s acclaimed novel, while producers Mike Goodridge, Edward Berger, and Matthew James Wilkinson bring the project to life under banners Good Chaos, Nine Hours, and Stigma Films.
Joining Farrell in the cast are Fala Chen, Tilda Swinton, Deannie Yip, and Alex Jennings. Their ensemble promises layered performances that echo the film’s central themes of excess, desperation, and the dangerous allure of gambling. The Macau setting, captured on location, adds authenticity and atmospheric weight to the story.
The trailer highlights tense casino sequences and Farrell’s portrayal of a gambler ensnared by his own addictions. It teases the psychological edge that sets Ballad of a Small Player apart from typical gambling dramas. The adaptation is expected to resonate with fans of dark thrillers and character-driven stories.
Netflix has emphasized the prestige of this release, positioning it alongside its other literary adaptations and award-season contenders. By pairing an A-list star with a celebrated director, the streaming giant is betting on another global hit. For audiences, the question becomes not just whether Farrell’s character can escape his debts, but how far into obsession the film will plunge.
The novel’s author, Lawrence Osborne, has long been praised for blending sharp psychological insight with atmospheric storytelling. Berger’s adaptation looks set to honor that tradition, while also amplifying it through cinema. With TIFF, theatrical rollout, and streaming lined up, Ballad of a Small Player is one of the fall’s most closely watched releases.
The teaser, officially titled “Ballad of a Small Player | Official Teaser | Netflix,” has already sparked conversation about the high-stakes tension and Farrell’s gripping performance. For both literary fans and thriller seekers, the film appears primed to deliver a haunting look at the cost of chasing fortune.
