Netflix’s Steve, the latest collaboration between actor-producer Cillian Murphy and director Tim Mielants, marks one of the streaming giant’s most compelling awards-season entries for 2025. Developed by Big Things Films, the movie made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before heading to limited theaters in the U.S., Ireland, and the UK. Reuniting the creative team behind Small Things Like These, Steve offers a deeply personal and humane study of mental health within a struggling institution, showcasing Murphy’s unmatched ability to inhabit emotionally complex roles.
Story
Adapted from Max Porter’s novella “Shy”, who also pens the screenplay, Steve follows the tense 24-hour journey of Steve, a headteacher at Stanton Wood Manor, a residential school for troubled youth. As a documentary crew visits the school, Steve must juggle his responsibilities as both leader and caretaker while navigating a volatile environment plagued by budget cuts, emotional crises, and escalating violence among students.
Amid the chaos, Steve fights his own inner battles—haunted by loss, burnout, and guilt—while striving to maintain stability for those who depend on him. The film insightfully balances institutional critique and personal redemption, exposing how systemic neglect pushes both educators and students to the brink.
Performances
At the heart of Steve is Cillian Murphy’s masterful performance—his quiet intensity and emotional restraint reveal a man simultaneously holding others together and falling apart inside. Murphy captures the fragility and resilience of someone who gives everything to his work, even when his soul is fractured.
The supporting cast impresses as well. Emily Watson lends compassion and strength as Jenny, Tracey Ullman offers warmth as Amanda, Little Simz brings edge and authenticity as Shola, and Jay Lycurgo delivers a raw, breakout turn as Shy—the student whose journey mirrors Steve’s own psychological struggle. Together, they embody the exhausting yet noble mission of those who choose to care for society’s forgotten.
Behind the Scenes
Director Tim Mielants uses a handheld, documentary-style approach to evoke realism and immediacy, immersing viewers in the unpredictable world of Stanton Wood Manor. Porter’s script, filled with empathy and urgency, is elevated by naturalistic cinematography that captures the tension, exhaustion, and fleeting hope pulsing through every frame.
The film also functions as a pointed social commentary—challenging a system that opts for punishment over rehabilitation, and calling attention to the silent sacrifices made by educators and mental health professionals.
Final Verdict
In just 90 minutes, Steve delivers a captivating, emotionally grounded portrait of people fighting invisible battles every day. With Murphy’s commanding performance and a story rooted in compassion, this Netflix original stands out as one of the most affecting dramas of the year.
Steve doesn’t just portray mental illness—it humanizes it. Through its mix of empathy, realism, and artistry, the film becomes both a personal redemption story and a clear-eyed critique of institutional failure. For viewers seeking an authentic, thought-provoking film about resilience, Steve is essential viewing.
Steve is now streaming on Netflix.
