Steve Movie Review: The English drama film “Steve” marked the long-awaited release of Cillian Murphy, and it has already created buzz among the audience. The movie, which was released on September 19, 2025, in selected theatres in the USA, was finally released on Netflix on October 3, 2025. This much-awaited movie is earning a lot of praise and attention from the viewers. In this write-up, we will dissect every small detail of Steve.
Steve Movie Overview and Rating
- Premiere Date: 3rd October 2025
- Premiere Platform: Netflix
- Director: Tim Mielants
- Based on: Shy by Max Porter
- Stars: Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson
- Rating: 3.5/5
Steve Story and Setting
The movie takes us to the walls of Stanton Wood, which is a reform school on the brink of closure. Steve takes us to the harrowing day in the life of teachers and students, and it’s very promising. The arrival of a documentary crew and a politician’s superficial visit make things more interesting as they expose the harsh realities of neglected boys and the educators who are trying to hold everything together.
Murphy’s character is named Steve, and he uses coping mechanisms like meditation and substance abuse to survive the teaching. His other colleagues, including Amanda (Tracey Ullman), Shola (Simbi Ajikawo), and Jenny (Emily Watson), have revealed the sacrifices educators make.
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Cast Performances: Murphy and Lycurgo Shine
Murphy is the heart of Steve, and it takes us to a powerful dynamic between Murphy and Jay Lycurgo. Jay Lycurgo plays Shy, who is a sensitive student, and he is grappling with past mistakes and abandonment. Murphy is shown as a quiet sufferer with masterful restraint, and Lycurgo injects much-needed raw intensity into Shy’s emotional decline. Their parallel struggles mirror each other in haunting ways. The film is titled Steve, but its soul lies in Shy’s story, and it might be surprising for the viewers.
What Works Well in Steve
The biggest strength of the film is Murphy’s performance. He is the highlight of the movie, and he delivers much-needed depth to the audience. His burnout is painfully relatable. The direction by Mielants is very natural, as he provides the raw documentary-style camerawork. The story is present with intimate, quiet moments that expose the hidden vulnerabilities of the characters. Cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert has won it for the movie, as he perfectly amplified the tension with shaky and perfect vision.
Steve covers a very sensitive story that sheds light on the struggles of educators. Steve covers misogynistic insults thrown at female teachers and also takes us to the emotional exhaustion of keeping troubled students safe. Steve pays tribute to teachers who keep showing up despite impossible odds.
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Where the Film Falls Short
Steve doesn’t fully explore some of its most important subplots. The film keeps shifting its perspective from the novella Shy to Murphy’s character, which sidelines Shy’s significance at times. The narrative balance is very unbalanced as he keeps shifting from the Shy to Murphy. Issues of race and class are briefly acknowledged; however, they are never deeply unpacked and feel like a missed opportunity. There are a lot of secondary characters that remain underdeveloped and serve more as background than as meaningful contributors.
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Baap of Movies Final Review and Conclusion
Overall, Steve is poignant. It refuses to sugarcoat the lives of troubled boys and the educators who dedicate themselves to them. The narrative choices are occasional, but the film’s raw performances and visual style make it unforgettable.
This Steve movie review tells us that the film is not only Murphy’s darkest role since Oppenheimer but is also one of his most humane roles. So, if you are a fan of gritty realism and powerful character studies, then Steve is a must-watch when it premieres on Netflix. Go watch Netflix on Steve now.
Watch Steve Trailer
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