Steve

Steve is a relatively short film, running for about an hour and a half. The story unfolds over the course of a single day inside a school for minors who come from violent and troubled backgrounds. At its core stands the character of Steve, the head teacher, as he faces a long, emotionally charged day filled with professional and psychological challenges within a tense and complex environment.

What immediately stands out is the remarkable performance of Cillian Murphy, who once again proves himself to be one of the finest actors of his generation. His expressions alone carry a dramatic power that elevates every scene. Jay Lycurgo also delivers an honest and touching performance, adding emotional depth to the students that Steve interacts with.

The film's strength lies more in its social depth than in narrative entertainment. Steve doesn't aim to thrill the audience with fast-paced events or an intricate plot; instead, it wants you to feel the weight of reality and the pressure of working in such a demanding environment. It's a film that reflects society more than it tells a traditional story.

For that reason, it's not exactly a "movie night" kind of film, but rather a contemplative piece-the kind of work that feels right at home in festivals like Cannes, where films focusing on psychological and social realism are truly appreciated. The elements of entertainment are largely absent here; my personal taste leans toward films built on powerful moments, strong storytelling, and deep, meaningful themes - something this film doesn't fully deliver.

In the end, Steve is not an entertaining film as much as it is an honest and human one. It serves as a reminder of the importance of giving young people the chance to rebuild their lives.

My rating: 7/10.

Good to see Netflix showing this visceral uncommercial piece. Cillian Murphy eschews his pretty boy persona to get to grips with portraying a caring involved principal of a challenging college for difficult youth. It's set in the 90's. It really could have been twice as long . The stress and complexities will ring true for teachers who care enough to try to deal with our societies failures: people with difficulties with mental health and unacceptable failures who would end up in prison or worse. Not only does he have all this to deal with but also has a historical trauma of his own. The ending is somewhat compressed and really could have been extended but all in all a worthy effort that draws you in .

Steve, portrayed brilliantly by Cillian Murphy, had something to say - he just didn't know how to express it.

The film tries to depict a single day in a linear way, yet its psychological segments disrupt that structure.

Still, the core idea is remarkable - thoughtful and original.

It begins strong and ends strong, but the middle feels confusing, leaving the audience waiting for something that never quite comes.

The cinematography is stunning, though at times a bit exaggerated.

In the end, Murphy's performance deserves a standing ovation.

Films about teachers that sacrifices a lot for their students were popular much more in the nineties, as I remember, but still, it is a sub-genre for the drama genre. It is much more interesting to check out a movie with this kind of plot, once Cillian Murphy is in it. Even if it is Netflix's property.

Cillian Murphy is a special type of actor, that takes extra-large projects but keeps a room in his heart and in his schedule for almost Indy type of movies. This one is based on a novel, that was originally made of a side character in this movie - Shy. He is the supporting character in this movie, but an important one.

This movie demonstrates how a small staff of teachers handles young and problematic youth, that should be in prison. The challenge is to keep them safe, help them find their potential and fulfill it. On the days we, the audience, get a glimpse of how this place runs, a camera crew enters the establishment and picks in all of their lives.

The usage of Tim Mielants in the camera team is not good enough, there is a scene, that demonstrates how this team invade one of the students personal space, but nothing is developed from there. It is mainly to show just another angle of how those guys see this place and the people that inhabit it.

The disrespect of the environment in this educational institution will get another turn, that will make the main character lose his good temper, but the main failure of this movie to be really outstanding is that except Shy, no one from the students made me feel for him or to have any empathy at all.

We watch a staff of un-orthodox teachers, that tries un-orthodox method of teaching in an un-orthodox institution, but no actual results that convinces the audience that it is a story of success. The teachers are taking night shifts like prison guards and loves their students, but no change is actually being demonstrated to the viewers.

The bottom line is that I identified more with the characters that wants to close this school and not with the teachers, which sacrifices their private lives and families (that are nowhere to be seen, except somewhere towards the end of the movie). Having said all of that, it was still a fine crafted movie with personal highs from Cillian Murphy and especially young Jay Lycurgo.

Another good production of Netflix, that goes to waste between a hundred others. Great cast and performances but missing a little bit more to make it shine brighter and actually be brilliant.

Shocked by some of the dismissive comments from certain people including some critics. The quality of acting in this is outstanding with some very credible borderline chaotic ensemble work very skilfully shot.

The person who said the characters Steve (head teacher) and Shy (seventeen year old) are two versions of the same pain made a great point.

Tracy Ullman's part is not huge but she makes every second compelling. Cillian Murphy - this is the best performance I've seen from him. He digs deep and it's totally believable.

Some of the artifices of the plot are not perfect but really the whole thing lives or dies on the emotional investment it asks of the viewer. If you are standoffish with it you won't get it. Open your heart to the script, the actors, the cinematography and the music and you'll be overwhelmed.