Steve

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1:29

Steve

R

Sep 2025

1h 33m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

94 Reviews

66%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

Set in the mid-90s, Steve is a reimagining of Max Porter's Sunday Times bestseller Shy. The film follows a pivotal day in the life of headteacher Steve and his students at a last-chance reform school amidst a world that has forsaken them. As Steve fights to protect the school's integrity and impending closure, we witness him grappling with his own mental health. In parallel to Steve's struggles, we meet Shy, a troubled teen caught between his past and what lies ahead as he tries to reconcile his inner fragility with his impulse for self-destruction and violence.

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Critics Consensus

A sobering drama that throws everything along with the kitchen sink at its doggedly determined hero, Steve's pileup of crises can strain credulity but Cillian Murphy's superb performance keeps it grounded in reality.

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Craig Mathieson

The Age (Australia)

[Cillian Murphy's] turmoil is magnetic, but the storytelling can be explanatory and sometimes the overt technique of Belgian director Tim Mielants (Small Things Like These) is skilful but distancing.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 16, 2025

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Robert Levin

Newsday

Most importantly, the movie approaches the stories of these people and their challenging mission with a big, open heart, with the compassion necessary to see the value in the teens' lives instead of simply sweeping them away.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 7, 2025

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David Fear

Rolling Stone

It’s handled in such a slapdash, klutzy manner, and feels so cut-rate, that you may find yourself raging alongside the movie’s youngsters. Not even Murphy can sell it.

Oct 3, 2025

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Matthew St. Clair

Cinematic Words of a Chaotic Gemini (Substack)

The acting along with its messaging on the importance of teen mental health and feeling less alone, which especially hits home during the climax, make Steve an affecting-enough drama.

Rated: B

Oct 30, 2025

Full Review

Lisa Trifone

Third Coast Review

The film is at its most heartbreaking when Steve and the young men in his charge are given space to be vulnerable, something that doesn't come naturally to any of them.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 24, 2025

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

The film’s style is so hysterically over the top that it dilutes its power rather than enhancing it.

Rated: C

Oct 23, 2025

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Ghederick Eshmont

Cillian Murphy is the preeminent actor working these days & his partnership with Tim Mielants is producing some pitch black, beautiful films

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

matthias s

“**Steve**” is another wild ride from Steve Mielants and Murphy — and yes, maybe I’m biased as a fellow Belgian, but these two really know how to turn chaos into cinema. It’s hectic, messy, and beautifully shot; the kind of film where you forget you’re watching actors because everyone’s just that good. The topic hits hard — painfully relevant, reminding us how little support people still get. Technically, it’s near flawless: acting, visuals, pacing — all spot on. But somehow, it didn’t fully click with me emotionally. Maybe that’s on me, not the movie. A brilliant, heavy watch, but not love at first sight.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/06/25

Full Review

Fiona H

School teacher here. So relatable on many levels. Especially the theme of the adults having a desire to help young people with complex needs with limited resources. The lack of support and funding and the unnecessary noise surrounding their efforts making their job even more difficult. The acting in this movie is next level. Brilliant from the boys and Cillian. It was hard hitting and difficult to watch but worth it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/03/25

Full Review

Arty M

As a reform school teacher I must comment on the exceptionally realistic reform school behaviour from the young actors. Too stylised and the camera work is so disjointed and disorientating that I was not able to continue watching. My eyes could not focus on the perpetual movement and sloppy cinematography.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/25/25

Full Review

Abu C

Solid performance from Cillian as per usual, but the performances of all the boys are the highlight. The movie itself is engaging throughout but can feel a little unoriginal, as if you’ve seen the same kind of movie a few times before. I think it would be great for Cillian to maybe move away from this type of role and do something a bit lighter and different in his next few movies.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/24/25

Full Review

Les N

I know what he means.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/21/25

Full Review

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Steve: Trailer 2

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Synopsis

Set in the mid-90s, Steve is a reimagining of Max Porter's Sunday Times bestseller Shy. The film follows a pivotal day in the life of headteacher Steve and his students at a last-chance reform school amidst a world that has forsaken them. As Steve fights to protect the school's integrity and impending closure, we witness him grappling with his own mental health. In parallel to Steve's struggles, we meet Shy, a troubled teen caught between his past and what lies ahead as he tries to reconcile his inner fragility with his impulse for self-destruction and violence.

Director: Tim Mielants
Producer: Cillian Murphy, Alan Moloney, Tina Pawlik
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: Big Things Films
Rating: R (Pervasive Language|Substance Abuse|Some Sexual Material)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: British English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 3, 2025
Runtime: 1h 33m

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