Steve (2025 film)

Last updated

Steve
Steve 2025 film poster.jpg
Release poster
Directed by Tim Mielants
Screenplay by Max Porter
Based on Shy
by Max Porter
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography Robrecht Heyvaert
Edited byDanielle Palmer
Music by
Production
company
Distributed by Netflix
Release dates
  • 5 September 2025 (2025-09-05)(TIFF)
  • 3 October 2025 (2025-10-03)(Netflix)
Running time
92 minutes [1]
Countries
  • Ireland
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Steve is a drama film directed by Tim Mielants and written by Max Porter, based on his 2023 novella Shy . It stars Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson.

Contents

The film will have its world premiere in the Platform Prize section of the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, followed by its global release by Netflix on 3 October 2025.

Premise

Steve (Murphy) is a headteacher in charge of a school for boys with societal and behavioural difficulties. [2]

Main Cast

Additional Cast

[3] [4]

Production

The project was announced for Netflix in February 2024 as being produced by Cillian Murphy's production company, Big Things Films, with his collaborator Alan Moloney also a producer. Tim Mielants is directing, and Max Porter has adapted his own novel Shy for the film. [5] Murphy and Porter previously collaborated on the stage adaptation of Porter's Grief Is the Thing with Feathers and on the short film All of This Unreal Time. Porter gave Murphy a copy of Shy in a proof edition before it was completed and Murphy was quoted as saying "it just broke my heart. They're the sorts of things I love as a reader and as a performer". [6] Jay Lycurgo also joined the cast. [7]

Filming

Principal photography began on May 24, 2024, and wrapped on July 5 in the UK. [8] Filming locations included Bath, Somerset. [9]

Release

Steve is scheduled to be released in select theaters in the United States on 19 September, before being released worldwide on Netflix on 3 October 2025. [10]

Reception

Metacritic , which uses a weighted average , assigned the film a score of 76 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [11]

References

  1. "Steve (2025)". Irish Film Classification Office . 22 August 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  2. Stedman, Emily (9 February 2024). "Cillian Murphy lands next lead role in Netflix movie". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  3. Tartaglione, Nancy (24 June 2025). "Cillian Murphy-Led 'Steve' Sets Fall Theatrical & Netflix Release; Supporting Cast Includes Tracey Ullman, Simbi Ajikawo, Emily Watson – First-Look Photo". Deadline. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  4. "Steve (2025) - Cast & Crew on MUBI". mubi.com. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  5. Tartaglione, Nancy (8 February 2024). "Cillian Murphy Sets Next Movie: Will Star In & Produce 'Steve' For Netflix As He & Alan Moloney Officially Launch Production Company Big Things Films – Q&A". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  6. "Cillian Murphy teams up with Netflix for next film". RTE. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  7. "Cillian Murphy and Jay Lycurgo Netflix Movie 'Steve': Everything We Know So Far". What's on Netlix. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  8. Tartaglione, Nancy (3 July 2024). "Cillian Murphy-Led 'Steve' Wraps Production With Jay Lycurgo Co-Starring: First-Look Set Photo". Deadline. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  9. Brazier, Tori (9 June 2024). "Oscar-winning actor looks unrecognisable while shooting powerful new Netflix film". Metro. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  10. "Cillian Murphy-Led 'Steve' Sets Fall Theatrical & Netflix Release; Supporting Cast Includes Tracey Ullman, Simbi Ajikawo, Emily Watson – First-Look Photo". Deadline Hollywood . 24 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  11. "Steve". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 6 September 2025.