Down to the Felt will debut on Apple TV+ on Friday
A new poker-inspired film, Down to the Felt, is set to debut on Apple TV+ on October 17, bringing another gritty gambling story to the screen. Many poker enthusiasts will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting this film and the whole story behind it.
The movie follows Paul, a down-on-his-luck gambler from Columbus, Ohio, portrayed by Michael Stahl-David. When his debts and bad decisions catch up with him, he hires a hitman, played by Michael Weston, to take his life in two weeks so his family can collect his insurance payout. The story mixes gambling drama with dark humor and psychological tension.
Director Jon Osbeck described the film as a story about emotional risk as much as financial ruin. “I’ve always been drawn to stories about redemption — about people who’ve taken hits in life but refuse to fold,” Osbeck said.
He explained that the movie explores what happens when someone goes “all-in” emotionally, not just at the poker table. That sense of desperation and human vulnerability sits at the heart of the film’s tone.
The trailer hints that while the film centers on gambling, poker may appear more as a symbol than the main focus. Scenes of casino tables, chips, and dimly lit rooms suggest an atmosphere familiar to anyone who’s ever risked it all for one last chance. Hawk Hill Pictures will handle the film’s distribution, and early buzz suggests it could appeal to fans of psychological thrillers as well as poker enthusiasts.
Down to the Felt joins a long list of poker-related movies that explore risk, obsession, and redemption. Classics like Rounders (1998) and Molly’s Game (2017) helped define the poker film genre, while titles like Mississippi Grind and The Card Counter examined the darker side of gambling. Whether it becomes a cult favorite remains to be seen, but Down to the Felt looks ready to deal another hand in Hollywood’s long-running fascination with poker.
