Steve review: Cillian Murphy is in awards-worthy form in this powerful film

by

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

The saying that a bit of craziness is useful for this job has never been more accurate than when describing Cillian Murphy’s character, Steve. He’s the principal of a boarding school for troubled teenage boys with extremely difficult behavior.

Stanton Wood is a troubled school for troubled kids – a place where teenagers are sent when other options have failed. One resident describes it as a holding pattern before more serious consequences. The exception to this atmosphere is Steve, a staff member, and his direct, honest colleague, Tracey Ullman.

The students’ difficulties reflect Steve’s personal challenges. He’s a dedicated teacher and social worker who is increasingly relying on alcohol and substance abuse to manage a demanding workload as his life around him becomes chaotic.

The next 24 hours will be crucial and intensely stressful, as depicted in this gripping film. While it uses dark humor, the movie ultimately reveals a deeply troubling situation, brought to life by consistently excellent acting from the entire cast.

Stanton Wood is particularly busy today. A TV crew is filming a short news segment at the same time as a visit from the local, rather self-important MP (played with appropriate seriousness by Roger Allam).

The biggest blow comes when representatives from the organization funding the project announce that the buildings have been sold, and the school will be closing in six months.

Director Tim Mielants reveals a major plot point relatively early in the film, but not before expertly introducing us to the characters. We quickly meet Steve, who’s hilariously struggling with a dangerous traffic circle he calls “a roundabout of doom,” and Ullman, who’s more level-headed. However, the real heart of the story might be the boys themselves, who deserve just as much attention.

Jay Lycurgo delivers a compelling performance as Shy, a troubled but intelligent young man who initially seems carefree. However, his world quickly unravels when he receives a phone call from his mother, informing him she wants no further contact with him. Shy is the central figure among a group of troubled youth, and the story is based on Max Porter’s novel of the same name.

Shy’s story is brought to life through memorable glimpses of his classmates. Characters like the clever but tough Luke Ayres and the energetic Joshua J Parker really stand out, often appearing in direct-to-camera interviews that feel both genuine and funny. These moments are presented as if filmed by a television crew, adding to their impact.

They can be really challenging, even harmful at times, but like Ullman says about the people she works with – and I feel the same way – I absolutely love them all.

I was really impressed by the performances of Murphy and Ullman, and they were beautifully supported by Simbi Ajikawo, who plays a new, understandably anxious teacher – I know her as the amazing rapper Little Simz! Emily Watson also shines as a calming counsellor. The whole cast felt so complete, it almost felt like the film was telling multiple stories, just like the book it’s based on.

Despite the ensemble cast, Cillian Murphy’s captivating presence and charm consistently draw our attention, and it’s largely through his character that we witness the unsettling beginning of Stanton Wood’s descent into a dark and uncertain fate.

He gives a truly remarkable performance, with his expressive eyes standing out even as he appears stressed and untidy. Despite personal difficulties, which are subtly revealed throughout the show, his dedication to his students remains unwavering.

The film is intense and sometimes difficult to watch, but the filmmakers skillfully address larger problems with our social and educational systems without being overly didactic or preachy.

This film is thoughtful and well-made, tackling important questions with intelligence. It’s more substantial than typical award-winning dramas like *The Holdovers*, and avoids unnecessary shock tactics, unlike films like the controversial *Scum* from 1979.

As a movie fan, I really have to give props to the director for getting me to actually *like* a bunch of characters I’d normally steer clear of! And the lead, played by Murphy, is fantastic – he perfectly embodies that feeling of being a hardworking person, constantly worried about keeping their job when things are tough. It’s a really relatable and powerful portrayal.

Okay, so there’s this one scene near the end of the movie that *really* got to me. It’s completely silent – no dialogue at all – but it perfectly captures that connection teachers have with their students. Honestly, after an hour of being frustrated with how the powerful people in the film were treating this overlooked group, this quiet moment just hit me hard and, yeah, I admit it, it made me a little teary-eyed.

Read More

2025-09-17 18:35