You’ve probably seen the face of Oswald Cobb plastered everywhere lately, but Colin Farrell is doing a total 180 from the grime of Gotham. It's wild. One minute he’s unrecognizable in prosthetic jowls, and the next, he’s starring in a trippy, neon-soaked romantic fantasy that feels more like a fever dream than a standard Hollywood flick. If you’re looking for Colin Farrell latest movie, you’re likely talking about A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which just hit Netflix on January 17, 2026.
Honestly, the timing is perfect. After the heavy-hitting intensity of The Penguin, seeing Farrell play a regular guy named David—well, as regular as you can be in a movie about time-traveling through your own memories—is the palette cleanser we needed. But there's a lot of noise about this one. Some people love the whimsy; others think it’s a bit too out there.
What’s the Deal With A Big Bold Beautiful Journey?
Basically, the movie follows two strangers, David (Farrell) and Sarah (played by Margot Robbie), who meet at a wedding. Standard rom-com setup, right? Wrong. Through a "twist of fate"—which is a polite way of saying some high-concept sci-fi magic—they end up on a road trip where they literally step through doors into the most defining moments of their pasts.
It’s directed by Kogonada. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he worked with Farrell on the gorgeous After Yang. Kogonada doesn't do "fast-paced." He does "vibe." This movie is a visual spectacle. Think lush colors and long, quiet shots that make you feel like you’re eavesdropping on a private moment.
Farrell described it as a "heart opener." That’s a very Colin Farrell thing to say, isn't it? He’s always been pretty open about the emotional weight of his roles.
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Why Colin Farrell Latest Movie is Dividing Fans
Here’s the thing: it didn't exactly set the box office on fire when it had its theatrical run back in late 2025. We’re talking a $20 million global haul on a $45 million budget. Ouch. Critics weren't exactly unanimous either. The Rotten Tomatoes score sat around 42% for a while, which is kind of shocking given the star power involved.
People expected a blockbuster. They got a poem.
- The Pace: It’s slow. Very slow.
- The Tone: It bounces between being funny and deeply, almost uncomfortably, sentimental.
- The Logic: Don’t go in expecting a Christopher Nolan-style explanation for the time travel. It just happens.
But now that it’s on Netflix, it’s finding a second life. That’s the beauty of streaming, right? You can watch it at 2 AM on a Tuesday when you’re feeling existential, which is exactly when this movie hits the hardest.
The Ballad of a Small Player: The Other Recent Gem
If A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is too soft for you, you’ve probably missed The Ballad of a Small Player. This one dropped on Netflix in late October 2025, and it’s a completely different beast. Directed by Edward Berger (the guy behind All Quiet on the Western Front), it features Farrell as "Lord Doyle," a high-stakes gambler hiding out in Macau.
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He’s got a "spivvy" mustache and a permanent layer of flop sweat. It’s glorious. Tilda Swinton is in it too, playing a character that some critics called "cartoonish," but in that delightful, unsettling Tilda Swinton way.
It’s a movie about "hungry ghosts" and addiction. While A Big Bold Beautiful Journey looks at the past with nostalgia, The Ballad of a Small Player looks at it with terror. It’s a great double feature if you want to see the full range of what Farrell is doing right now. He’s clearly moved past the "leading man" phase and into the "fearless character actor" phase of his career.
What Most People Get Wrong About Farrell's Current Run
There’s this narrative that Farrell is "struggling" because his recent movies haven't been massive hits. That’s a bit of a reach.
After his 2022 winning streak with The Batman and The Banshees of Inisherin, he’s choosing projects based on directors, not projected earnings. He’s working with Kogonada, Edward Berger, and Yorgos Lanthimos. These aren't "safe" choices. They’re artist choices.
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Also, we can't ignore the elephant in the room: The Penguin. Even as he’s doing these indie-leaning films, he’s still the face of one of the biggest TV franchises on the planet. Even though he’s been a bit "meh" about the physical toll of wearing that suit, The Penguin Season 2 is reportedly in early development. He’s also confirmed for a small but "scarier" role in The Batman Part II, which is currently aiming for a 2027 release.
Practical Tips for Watching His Latest Stuff
If you're diving into Colin Farrell latest movie tonight, here's how to actually enjoy it:
- Lower the lights for A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. It’s a cinematography-first movie. If you’re scrolling on your phone, you’ll miss the subtle visual cues that make the story work.
- Watch the "After Yang" connection. If you haven't seen After Yang, watch it first. It’ll help you understand Kogonada’s rhythm so you don't get frustrated by the slow start of the new film.
- Check out Macau. After watching The Ballad of a Small Player, look up the filming locations. They shot on-site in Macau and Hong Kong, and the sense of place is half the reason that movie works.
- Expect the unexpected with Phoebe Waller-Bridge. She’s in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey too, and her energy is a wild contrast to Farrell’s more grounded performance.
Farrell is in a place right now where he’s taking huge swings. Not all of them are home runs, but they’re all interesting. Whether he’s a sweaty gambler in Macau or a time-traveling romantic, he’s at the top of his game.
If you want to stay caught up, keep an eye on Netflix’s 2026 slate. They seem to be his primary home for now, especially with the Sony "first-window" deal bringing his theatrical releases to the platform just a few months after they leave cinemas.
To make the most of Colin Farrell’s recent output, start by streaming A Big Bold Beautiful Journey on Netflix to see his softer side, then pivot to The Ballad of a Small Player for a masterclass in tension and character work.