What can we expect from Cillian Murphy’s new movie ‘Steve’?
We have seen him rule the streets of Birmingham, face nuclear catastrophe, and survive zombie outbreaks. Cillian Murphy does not just play characters. He becomes them. Whether it is the cold command of Tommy Shelby or the unravelling mind of Oppenheimer, he brings an intensity that never feels forced. Now, in Steve, Murphy steps into one of his most grounded roles yet. And this time, the explosions are emotional, not literal.
Steve is set to release on Netflix in October 2025. The film follows a reform school headteacher navigating a system that has long since stopped working. Based on Max Porter’s novella Shy, the original story focused on a troubled teenager. But this adaptation turns the lens on the adult in the room. Murphy’s Steve is a man under pressure. The school is failing. The students are difficult. And his own inner world seems to be slowly crumbling.
The film is directed by Tim Mielants, who has previously worked with Murphy on Small Things Like These. That project was quiet, emotional, and visually stripped back. It is safe to expect the same atmosphere here. Tense conversations in quiet rooms. Heavy pauses between small, sharp lines of dialogue. And a focus on subtle performances that do not need dramatic music or long speeches to land hard.
Murphy is known for portraying powerful men, often haunted by their pasts. In Steve, the power is missing. There is no criminal empire, no world-altering mission. There is only a man trying to keep his job, protect his students, and make it to the end of the day without breaking down. For an actor like Murphy, that simplicity opens up room for nuance. We may see a different side of him. A quieter, softer, but no less gripping Murphy.
The film is structured to take place over a single day. That kind of tight timeline usually means the emotional stakes will rise with each passing hour. One hallway interaction, one failed conversation, one spark of hope or disappointment. Everything will matter. With the looming threat of school closure and the fragile emotional state of both staff and students, the film promises tension without theatrics.
Jay Lycurgo plays Shy, a key student in Steve’s world. Their dynamic is expected to be the heart of the film. Other cast members like Emily Watson, Tracey Ullman, and Simbi Ajikawo bring further emotional weight. This is not just about one man. It is about an entire institution on the brink and the people inside it trying to make sense of the chaos.
Murphy has spoken about how moved he was by the story. Coming from a family of teachers, there is likely a personal connection here. That might explain his choice to take on a role this intimate, especially at a point in his career where bigger projects were surely available.
So what can we expect from Steve? A quiet storm. A man quietly unravelling as he tries to help others hold themselves together. A film that does not shout but leaves a lasting echo. And another reminder that Murphy does not need big sets or loud scripts to completely command the screen.