TIFF 2025 Review Roundup: Ballad of a Small Player, The Wizard of the Kremlin & Easy’s Waltz

Three TIFF 2025 Films That Missed the Mark (But Still Sparked Conversation)

Not every TIFF premiere blows the roof off. Some films land, some stumble, and some just sit in the middle. Here’s a quick roundup of three TIFF 2025 titles that had strong talent attached but left us mixed: Ballad of a Small Player, The Wizard of the Kremlin, and Easy’s Waltz.

Ballad of a Small Player (7/10)

Colin Farrell shines as a gambler haunted by his past, trying to gamble his way into redemption. The visuals are gorgeous, the score is tense, and Farrell captures both the highs and crushing lows of addiction.

The Wizard of the Kremlin (6/10)

Paul Dano and Jude Law give standout performances, and the political subject matter is fascinating. But the pacing drags, and too often the film leans on telling rather than showing.

Easy’s Waltz (6/10)

Better than expected in moments, but weighed down by flat storytelling. The story has flashes where it feels like it might build into something fun, but instead it drifts, with characters making choices that feel more convenient than convincing. Vince Vaughn’s big singing moments are played up like a revelation, but honestly, they land closer to “just okay.”

Netflix releases Ballad of a Small Player on Netflix October 29th, 2025

The Wizard of the Kremlin has no release date for Canada but has a  theatrical release in France on January 21, 2026

Easy’s Waltz has no theatrical release date as of now