From smoky poker rooms in Casino to the supernatural chills of The Haunting of Hill House, audiences have always adored the gambling life and ghostly genre alike. Netflix has already excelled in both territories, giving us Martin Scorsese’s inspired crime classics and terrifying original productions that left viewers sleeping with nightlights. Now, Ballad of a Small Player arrives to marry baccarat with the bizarre, offering a union so unusual it might just bankrupt boredom itself.  Which naturally brings us to its particulars.

The enthralling plot, distinguished cast, and confirmed release date of Ballad of a Small Player are guaranteed to intrigue.

Ballad of a Small Player will first reach select theaters in October before its global premiere on Netflix on October 29. The film marks another significant project for German director Edward Berger, who has become widely respected for translating literature into cinema with striking precision.

After earning acclaim for All Quiet on the Western Front and steering Conclave, a film that continues to spark curiosity about its streaming availability, Edward Berger now directs his attention to Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel. With adaptation by Rowan Joffé, the project heightens anticipation and further solidifies Berger’s reputation for bringing literary works to the screen with distinction.

The central figure of Ballad of a Small Player is Lord Doyle, a high-stakes gambler attempting to vanish into the shimmering and unrelenting world of Macau, China. Burdened by a troubled past and mounting debts, Doyle finds his carefully constructed façade beginning to collapse. The narrative takes a transformative turn when he encounters a kindred spirit, a presence that offers both companionship and the tantalizing prospect of deliverance from his downward spiral. Their fragile bond becomes the core of the tale.

Netflix Announces Legendary Father-Son Duo Barry and Eddie Hearn Documentary 'Matchroom': Rare BTS, Release Date and More

The film’s layered narrative of risk, secrecy, and salvation relies heavily on strong performances, and the cast has been assembled to embody this tension in the most compelling way possible.

The cast of Ballad of a Small Player is an international ensemble that reflects the cultural intersections of Macau itself. Fala Chen, known for The Undoing, and Deanie Ip, acclaimed for A Simple Life, add depth and authenticity to the film’s local dimension. Joining them are Alex Jennings of The Crown and the always formidable Tilda Swinton, whose presence brings a magnetic edge. Together, this group balances regional talent with established global names, ensuring the drama resonates widely.

Behind the performers, director Edward Berger assembled an equally accomplished creative team. Director of photography James Friend and composer Volker Bertelmann, both Academy Award winners for All Quiet on the Western Front, reunite with Berger. They are joined by producers Mike Goodridge and Matthew James Wilkinson, as well as acclaimed professionals Jonathan Houlding, Heike Merker, Lisy Christl, and Nick Emerson. This collaboration underscores Netflix’s commitment to delivering cinematic precision and narrative intensity.

‘Two Graves’ on Netflix: Cast, Plot, Release Date, and All You Need to Know About the Streamer’s New Limited Series

Are you ready to go on an exciting ghostly adventure in A Ballad of a Small Player? Let us know in the comments down below!