After Edward Berger’s visually rich and thematically intense film Ballad of a Small Player has ended, is there more?
The Conclave director returns with a Colin Farrell-led spiral into gambling addiction in Macau, a dazzlingly filmed story that goes all in — fistfuls of lobster included. After premiering at Telluride Film Festival, then hitting Toronto International Film Festival and BFI London Film Festival, Ballad of a Small Player is out now in limited cinemas in the U.S. and UK. And we’re here to tell you whether to stick around for the end credits or not — without spoiling anything.
‘Ballad of a Small Player’ review: Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton front a trippy thriller
Adapted from Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel, the film sees Berger and screenwriter Rowan Joffé plunge Farrell into the unravelling character of sharply tailored Lord Doyle, whose thirst for the big win may never be quenched. Over a few tempestuous days, as his debts overwhelm him, he befriends the mysterious Dao Ming (Fala Chen) while trying to avoid British tourist Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton), who finds herself scoffing at the invitation of “dinner and a dance” with Lord Doyle for various reasons.
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Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko wrote of these performances in her review: “Farrell is solid as a scam artist whose charm is a blessing and a curse. Swinton’s a joy in a bit part that at least gives her opportunity for eccentric choices and even more eccentric outfits. Chen is enigmatic and lovely as a loan shark haunted by her past.”
And it’s these characters you should stick around in the end credits for.
So, does Ballad of a Small Player have an end-credits scene? Yes, yes it does. And you should absolutely watch it.
Ballad of a Small Player is out now in cinemas before streaming on Netflix starting Oct. 29.
