The teaser trailer for Netflix’s psychological thrillerBallad of a Small Player, starring Oscar nominee​​​​​Colin Farrell, has been released, advertising the movie’s theatrical and streaming release dates. Based on Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel of the same name, theNetflix filmhas already generated speculation of another possible Oscar nod for Farrell, who plays a troubled gambler and a swindler.

Ballad of a Small Playeris helmed byAll Quiet on the Western FrontandConclavedirector Edward Bergerand also stars Oscar winner Tilda Swinton, Fala Chen, Deanie Ip, and Alex Jennings. It will have one ofNetflix’s rare theatrical releases from Jul 04, 2025, before debuting on the streaming platform on Oct. 29. Check out the teaser forBallad of a Small Playerbelow:

Colin Farrell lit in neon from behind in The Ballad of a Small Player

The Ballad of a Small Playertrailer findsColin Farrell’s Lord Doylehiding out in Macau, wasting his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking and gambling away the last of his money. With his debts piling up, a mysterious casino worker, Dao Ming (Fala Chen), offers him a way out, though she seems to harbor secrets of her own.

However, Doyle isn’t free quite yet. On his trail isCynthia Blither (Tilda Swinton), a relentless private investigator determined to confront Doyle about the past he’s been hiding from. As Doyle struggles with redemption, the line between reality and illusion begins to blur around him.

Colin Farrell crying while on the phone in The Ballad of a Small Player

Before its theatrical and Netflix releases,The Ballad of a Small Playeris set to have its world premiereat the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9. Once it premieres, it will be easier to gauge the amount of Oscar buzz for Farrell’s performance, but based on the trailer alone, it looks like his intense and increasingly unhinged performance could easily earn him another nomination.

Among his many acclaimed roles, Farrell already has an Oscar nod to his name for Martin McDonagh’sThe Banshees of Inisherin, which was a quieter and more subdued performance, and he could very well earn a second nomination forBallad of a Small Player, which seems to be a much more intense and unhinged performance.

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In addition to Colin Farrell,Ballad of a Small Playercould also land its director, Edward Berger, in the awards season conversation. His last two films, Netflix’sAll Quiet on the Western Front(2022) andConclave(2024), were nominated for 17 Academy Awards combined, winning five. Based on the trailer, Berger should continue his hot streak withBallad of a Small Player​​​​​​.