Steve (Film)

Steve is a drama film co-produced by Ireland and Türkiye in 2025. Directed by Tim Mielants and written by Max Porter, adapting his own 2023 short novel Shy, the film stars Cillian Murphy, Jay Lycurgo, Tracey Ullman, and Emily Watson in the lead roles.

Plot and Themes

The film is set in the mid-1990s in a reform school where troubled youth are sent as their last chance. At the center of the institution is Steve, the headmaster struggling to prevent the school’s closure while battling his own mental collapse. A figure caught between authority and compassion, Steve confronts his inner disintegration as he tries to save his students’ futures. Another central character is Shy, a young man grappling with past trauma and violent tendencies.

Throughout the film, the teacher-student dynamic takes center stage. Adapted from Max Porter’s novel, the film titled Steve aims to explore not only the fragility of the adolescents but also that of the adults who oversee them. This approach highlights the parallels between teacher and student, revealing how an authority figure can inwardly transform into “the most difficult student” himself.

Narrative Structure

The film focuses on events unfolding over a single day. On the day a local television crew arrives to film at the reform school, Steve learns that the institution will be shut down. This revelation becomes a turning point in both Steve’s life and that of his students. Shy, one of the students, struggles to contain his suppressed rage after learning he has been completely rejected by his family. Meanwhile, Steve, who has spent years trying to approach his students with patience and understanding, has become an emotionally broken adult. Battling alcohol and substance addiction, Steve’s attempts to maintain his authority only lead to further disintegration.

Production and Presentation Details

The film was produced by Big Things Films, with Cillian Murphy, Alan Moloney, and Tina Pawlik among its producers. A co-production between Ireland and Türkiye, the film runs for 93 minutes and is in English.

Release History:

• Its world premiere took place at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2025.
• Its limited theatrical release began on 19 September 2025.
• Its global streaming release on Netflix occurred on 3 October 2025.

The film is available to audiences in Türkiye through Netflix Türkiye distribution.

Cast

• Cillian Murphy – Steve
• Jay Lycurgo – Shy
• Tracey Ullman – Amanda (deputy headmaster)
• Emily Watson – Jenny (therapist-counselor)
• Simbiatu Ajikawo (Little Simz) – New teacher
• Roger Allam – Local Member of Parliament
• Araloyin Oshunremi, Priyanga Burford, Youssef Kerkour, Ruby Ashbourne Serkis, Douggie McMeekin – supporting roles.

Style and Visual Narrative

The film draws attention through its documentary-style cinematography. Camera movements and rapid cuts aim to immerse the viewer directly in the school’s chaotic atmosphere. The visual language is supported by a muted color palette reflecting 1990s England, reinforcing the suppressed emotions and social alienation depicted in the story.

Critics have compared the style of Steve to character-driven independent dramas such as Mid90s and Sound of Metal. The film’s soundtrack includes Kruder & Dorfmeister’s tracks “Deep Shit Part 1 and Part 2.”