When Cillian Murphy steps into the role of a beleaguered headteacher in the Netflix original Steve, the streaming giant’s newest drama feels like a thunderstorm in a classroom – wild, haunting, and oddly inspiring.
The film dropped on Netflix on after a limited theatrical run in the United Kingdom and the United States on September 19, 2025. Directed by Tim Mielants and scripted by novelist Max Porter, who turned his 2023 novella Shy into a screenplay, the movie first flickered on the big screen during the Platform Prize section of the Toronto International Film FestivalToronto.
Background and Production
Porter’s original novella, a thinly veiled memoir about a boy named Shy navigating a grim reform school, caught the eye of Netflix’s original content division in early 2024. The platform green‑lit the project in March 2024, betting on Murphy’s recent Oscar win for Oppenheimer to draw viewers to a more intimate, character‑driven piece.
Filming took place over six weeks in late 2024, primarily at a repurposed Victorian school in Manchester, England. The production team kept the schedule tight to mirror the film’s real‑time 24‑hour narrative, which spans exactly 1,440 minutes of on‑screen chaos. The final cut clocks in at 108 minutes – a trimmed yet potent slice of the original material.
Plot and Themes
Set in the mid‑1990s, Steve follows the eponymous headteacher (Murphy) as he battles bureaucracy, teenage rebellion, and his own haunting past within a state‑funded reform school. Over a single, relentless day, he fights to keep the institution from shuttering its doors.
The story rides on a relentless pace, punctuated by moments of dark humor – think a dead‑pan one‑liner from Tracey Ullman’s Amanda that lands like a slap in a quiet hallway. Critics have called the tone "gonzo energy" and "death‑metal chaos of emotional pain," a phrase that might sound over the top, but it captures the film’s jagged rhythm.
Critical Reception
The Guardian’s review hailed Murphy as "outstanding," noting the film is "suffused with gonzo energy and the death‑metal chaos of emotional pain, cut with slashes of bizarre black humour." Empire likened the movie to a modern answer to Dead Poets Society, praising it as "a rallying, railing portrayal of a broken education system" that leans heavily on Murphy’s "emotional range."
Rolling Stone called the drama "darkly funny and thought‑provoking – and as nail‑biting as you might expect," emphasizing that the focus stays squarely on Steve, whose personal demons are peeled back like layers of bruised skin.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film sits at a solid 78% fresh, based on 46 critic reviews. Audience scores are a bit lower at 66%, hinting that while critics adore the intensity, casual viewers may find the relentless tone a tough watch.
Industry Outlook and Awards Potential
Industry observers are cautious. Netflix’s original slate in 2025 already boasts three blockbuster‑type releases, and Steve is a small‑scale, niche drama. Data from Nielsen suggests an opening weekend viewership of around 2.5 million households – respectable, but not the 10‑plus million Netflix hopes for a hit.
Nevertheless, awards analysts argue the film could punch above its weight. With Murphy’s performance already in the conversation for supporting‑actor categories at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, the film might slip into the “best limited series or film” conversations, especially if it maintains momentum on the awards‑season circuit.
What to Expect When You Press Play
If you queue up Steve, brace for a roller‑coaster that never really slows. The cinematography leans on handheld shots, making you feel as if you’re walking the hallways alongside the troubled teens. The soundtrack – an eclectic mix of early‑90s grunge and subtle orchestral swells – mirrors the film’s swing between chaos and melancholy.
Even though the narrative is tight, there’s space for the ensemble cast to shine. Jay Lycurgo’s Shy delivers a performance that is both fragile and fierce, while Emily Watson’s Jenny is a seasoned teacher whose quiet resolve anchors the frantic plot.
Bottom line: expect a movie that asks you to sit on the edge of your seat for a full day, and then leave you with a lingering sense that you’ve just survived a turbulent school year.
Key Facts
- Release on Netflix:
- Directors: Tim Mielants
- Screenwriter: Max Porter
- Runtime: 108 minutes
- Rotten Tomatoes: 78% fresh
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Steve differ from other Netflix dramas?
Unlike Netflix’s big‑budget spectacles, Steve is a tight, 24‑hour character study set in a 1990s reform school. Its gritty realism, handheld camera work, and dark humor set it apart from the platform’s more polished, effects‑heavy fare.
Is the story based on real events?
The film adapts Max Porter’s novella Shy, which draws on the author’s own experiences in a British reform school, but the plot and characters are fictionalized for dramatic effect.
Will Steve be eligible for awards?
Because it premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and has a theatrical release in the UK and US, Steve qualifies for major awards such as the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes, provided it meets each body’s specific criteria.
What audience is the film aimed at?
The drama targets mature viewers who appreciate intense, character‑driven stories – fans of gritty school‑setting films like Dead Poets Society or Freedom Writers will likely connect with it.
How has Netflix’s audience responded so far?
Initial streaming data shows about 2.5 million households watched within the first week, with a retention rate of roughly 68%. While not a breakout hit, the numbers suggest a solid niche following.