Some might say that German director Edward Berger has been afforded an element of luck with his last two films (All Quiet on the Western Front and Concave), with both of them winning Oscars.

With his latest, he chooses to tackle the theme of luck head on with a tale of a British gambler in the neon saturated skies of Macau.

Having spent a large period on time in the casinos of Macau, Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) has finally run out of luck. And that also means money.

He finds himself in a predicament in the suite he’s staying in within the hotel, having no money to cover his bill there.

Not only has his gambling addiction finally caught up with him, he soon realises that his past has too, and his demons.

But when he attempts to play the tables of another casino, the employee there, Dao Ming (Fala Chen), appears to be a kindred spirit, and despite his odds, could she be his salvation?

This is a mesmerising adaptation of Lawrence Osborne’s 2014 novel of the same name. It’s an intimate portrayal of Doyle, played with sublime precision by Farrell, as he showcases the mental and physical torture he descends into.

And Berger surrounds this intimacy in an extraordinary landscape; Macau’s casinos seem to overshadow the bright lights of Las Vegas, as well as pair it with the gritty, working class accommodation of the casino workers. And the marriage of the intimate story and bold backdrops is breathtaking.

Holding attention throughout is Farrell, who appears strikingly vulnerable throughout the film, including a constant sweating facial.

Encounters he has with a handful of other characters, played by Alex Jennings and Tilda Swinton, more than hold their own against him forever, making for a number of absorbing scenes.

It is then, an assault on one’s senses, with its absorbing narrative and landscapes especially, that you can’t help but stake your entire attention on.

Berger has created yet another truly unique film from his cinematic anthology, with this particular gamble definitely paying off, for all concerned.