By Isha Sharma | Oct 03, 2025 | 04:43 pm
**What’s the story?**
*Cillian Murphy’s Steve*, out now on Netflix, is directed by Tim Mielants, who previously collaborated with Murphy on *Small Things Like These*. Based on Max Porter’s 2023 novella *Shy*, the film traces a turbulent, nerve-racking day in the life of Steve, the headmaster of a reform school for boys. Murphy excels in his complex role, but the film leaves much to be desired.
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### Plot: A committed, troubled teacher at a reform school
The film follows Steve, the headmaster of Stanton Wood, a reform school for unruly male teens. His mental health is in tatters, the staff is underpaid and overworked, and the boys show little to no sign of progress. One day, authorities inform Steve that the school will be closed in six months, leaving him to come to terms with this shocking, unfortunate news.
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### #1 Murphy delivers a stirring act
Murphy captures the ache, anxiety, and aggression of Steve exceedingly well—you can sense the storm brewing inside him. Steve wears himself out trying to help the kids, and Murphy essays this role with just the right amount of intensity. He views the job as a form of redemption; saving the boys would mean rescuing himself, too.
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### #2 The film has ambition, but not everything comes together
The film offers sharp dialogue and features an ensemble cast of talented, experienced actors such as Emily Watson and Tracey Ullman. However, aside from Steve, every character is underwritten and remains distant from the audience. To make matters worse, the ending feels quite incomplete. It doesn’t invite reflection but rather leaves you frustrated.
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### #3 The movie begins to feel weary after a point
A sense of unbridled energy and chaos defines the film—the boys are fighting, the teachers are struggling, and an exploitative documentary crew conducts interviews. Everything happens simultaneously, and the school is in complete disarray. While this energy works initially, it soon begins to overwhelm the film, leaving viewers feeling exhausted rather than entertained.
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### #4 More on the above aspect
The film takes an unapologetically raw and realistic approach but struggles to maintain engagement. You stick with it because you want to see how Steve’s journey unfolds, but the wayward, sloppy writing never makes it easy. The boys receive ample screen time, yet by the end, we know little more about them than before.
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### Verdict: Murphy’s performance alone can’t save the film — 2.5/5 stars
Cillian Murphy delivers a scintillating performance in *Steve* and leaves no room for complaint, but his artistic chops alone cannot save the movie. The film feels tiring and tedious, often teetering on shaky, uneven ground. Murphy’s portrayal is one for the ages, and the film is intense and gritty, but overall, it is an unrewarding and unentertaining ride.
**Rating: 2.5/5 stars**
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