Ballad of a Small Player
Updated: 12/10/2025, 10:27:01 AM Wikipedia source
Ballad of a Small Player is a 2025 British black comedy psychological thriller film directed by Edward Berger from a screenplay by Rowan Joffé, based on the 2014 novel The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne. The film stars Colin Farrell, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, Alex Jennings, and Tilda Swinton. Ballad of a Small Player had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival on 29 August 2025, and was released in select cinemas in the United States on 15 October 2025, and in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2025, before its streaming debut by Netflix on 29 October 2025. The film received mixed reviews from critics, while Farrell's performance received praise.
Infobox
Directed by
Edward Berger
Screenplay by
Rowan Joffé
Based on
The Ballad of a Small Playerby Lawrence Osborne
Produced by
mw- Mike Goodridge Edward Berger Mathew James Wilkinson
Starring
Colin Farrell Fala Chen Deanie Ip Alex Jennings Tilda Swinton
Cinematography
James Friend
Edited by
Nick Emerson
Music by
Volker Bertelmann
Productioncompanies
Good Chaos Nine Hours Stigma Films
Distributed by
Netflix
Release dates
29 August 2025 (2025-08-29) (Telluride) 17 October 2025 (2025-10-17) (United Kingdom)
Running time
102 minutes
Country
United Kingdom
Language
English
Tables
· Reception › Accolades
San Sebastián International Film Festival
San Sebastián International Film Festival
Award
San Sebastián International Film Festival
Date of ceremony
27 September 2025
Category
Golden Seashell
Nominee(s)
Ballad of a Small Player
Result
Nominated
Zurich Film Festival
Zurich Film Festival
Award
Zurich Film Festival
Date of ceremony
27 September 2025
Category
Golden Icon Award
Nominee(s)
Colin Farrell
Result
Won
Middleburg Film Festival
Middleburg Film Festival
Award
Middleburg Film Festival
Date of ceremony
19 October 2025
Category
Spotlight Actor Award
Nominee(s)
Won
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
| San Sebastián International Film Festival | 27 September 2025 | Golden Seashell | Ballad of a Small Player | Nominated | |
| Zurich Film Festival | 27 September 2025 | Golden Icon Award | Colin Farrell | Won | |
| Middleburg Film Festival | 19 October 2025 | Spotlight Actor Award | Won |
References
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/07/first-image-ballad-small-player-release-netflix-1236460877/
- Ballad of a Small Playerhttps://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/ballad-of-a-small-player-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdmxotg2
- Netflix Tudumhttps://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/new-movies-on-netflix-2025
- Gold Derbyhttps://www.goldderby.com/film/2025/netflix-ballad-of-a-small-player-reviews-colin-farrell/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/ballad-of-a-small-player-review-colin-farrell-1235440137/
- Ming Paohttps://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/latest/20251031/1761893960890/%E9%BB%83%E7%A7%8B%E7%94%9F%E5%AE%A2%E4%B8%B2netflix%E3%80%8A%E5%B0%8F%E4%BA%BA%E7%89%A9%E4%B9%8B%E6%AD%8C%E3%80%8B-%E5%8B%B8%E9%80%80%E8%A2%AB%E9%AC%BC%E7%BA%8F%E8%BA%AB%E5%93%A5%E9%80%A3%E8%B2%BB%E8%B7%AF
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oct/10/its-like-fencing-with-a-close-friend-terrifying-in-a-lovely-way-colin-farrell-and-tilda-swinton-on-taking-a-gamble-with-their-new-drama
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/04/colin-farrell-edward-berger-the-ballad-of-a-small-player-netflix-1235879450/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/colin-farrell-star-edward-berger-netflix-1235870121/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/04/tilda-swinton-colin-farrell-netflix-ballad-small-player-ed-berger-1235898397/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/05/fala-chen-joins-colin-farrell-tilda-swinton-netflix-ballad-small-player-1235913984/
- Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbookhttps://www.kftv.com/news/2024/06/27/netflix-ballad-of-a-small-player-colin-farrell-macau
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/08/telluride-film-festival-2025-movies-1236499034/
- Toronto International Film Festivalhttps://tiff.net/films/ballad-of-a-small-player
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2025/07/tiff-lineup-sydney-sweeny-dwayne-johnson-nuremberg-1236463346/
- Ballad of a Small Playerhttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ballad_of_a_small_player
- Ballad of a Small Playerhttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/ballad-of-a-small-player
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sundays-san-sebastian-golden-shell-the-voice-of-hind-rajab-1236387424/
- DatoCMShttps://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/jay-kelly-middleburg-film-festival-2025-chloe-zhao-honorees-1235151946/
- IndieWirehttps://www.indiewire.com/news/festivals/jay-kelly-middleburg-film-festival-2025-chloe-zhao-honorees-1235151946/