Cillian Murphy STUNS in Netflix’s Steve — Critics Call His ‘Awards-Worthy’ Performance a Career High
Cillian Murphy STUNS in Netflix’s Steve — Critics Call His ‘Awards-Worthy’ Performance a Career High
Cillian Murphy has once again proven why he’s one of the most magnetic actors of his generation. In Netflix’s new drama Steve, the Irish star delivers what critics are calling an “awards-worthy” performance, portraying a headteacher teetering on the edge of collapse in a story that’s as raw as it is devastating.
Early reviews have been nothing short of glowing, with many outlets describing the film as “urgent,” “powerful,” and “cinematic dynamite.” One critic summed up the experience by saying the movie “grabbed them by the throat and didn’t let go.”
A School on the Brink
Murphy steps into the role of Steve, the exhausted headmaster of Stanton Wood, a residential reform school for boys with severe behavioural issues. The institution has been dubbed a “last-chance saloon” for troubled teenagers—at one point, even referred to as “a waiting room for borstal.”
Over the course of a tense 24 hours, both Steve and the school itself are pushed to breaking point. Alongside him is his deputy, played with grit and warmth by Tracey Ullman, whose sharp pragmatism becomes a much-needed counterbalance to Steve’s crumbling resolve.
But while the premise may seem straightforward, the execution is anything but. Director Tim Mielants and writer Max Porter weave a story that captures not just the chaos within the school, but also the systemic failures of society that leave teachers like Steve fighting impossible battles.
Critics Hail Murphy’s “Explosive” Performance
Murphy, fresh from his Oscar win for Oppenheimer and his acclaimed role in Small Things Like These, has been singled out as the driving force of Steve.
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Radio Times (★★★★☆) praised his “awards-worthy form” and highlighted his “bright, expressive eyes piercing through a flustered, dishevelled frame.”
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Empire (★★★★☆) called the film “cinematic dynamite,” lauding Murphy’s ability to capture the “sheer force of emotion” that fuels the narrative.
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Metro (★★★★☆) described Steve as “a smaller-than-usual but no-less-worthy awards-season contender” that lingers long after the credits roll.
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Rolling Stone UK (★★★★☆) hailed it as “darkly funny, thought-provoking, and nail-biting,” with Murphy’s performance described as “committed and believable.”
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Financial Times (★★★★★) gave it top marks, calling the ensemble “superb” and noting Murphy’s work as “brilliant and eloquent.”
Even less enthusiastic reviews couldn’t deny Murphy’s magnetism. The Times awarded three stars but admitted the actor was “mesmerising,” while The Washington Post applauded the film’s refusal to cave to Hollywood clichés, calling its ending “an honest, unexpected sigh for those crushed by unbearable burdens.”
Beyond the Role — A Human Story
What makes Steve stand out isn’t just its high-voltage drama but its heart. The relationship between Murphy’s Steve and Shy (Jay Lycurgo), a fragile teen wrestling with self-destructive impulses, provides the film with its most emotional core. It’s a dynamic that critics say transforms Steve from a bleak tale into something painfully human.
Release and Legacy
Steve hits cinemas September 19 before landing on Netflix October 3, positioning itself squarely in the awards-season conversation. With its intense performances, sharp social commentary, and Murphy at his career best, the film looks set to be one of the most talked-about dramas of the year.
As The Telegraph summed up: “At a crisp 92 minutes, the film adds vital layers without belabouring its points. Raw, jagged, even crude — choices that feel more truthful the longer you sit with them.”
For Murphy, whose career has already spanned everything from Peaky Blinders to Oppenheimer, Steve may be remembered as one of his most vulnerable and unforgettable roles.