Steve is a 2025 Irish-British drama comedy film directed by Tim Meilants from a screenplay by Max Porter. The film premiered on the Netflix movie platform on 3 October 2025.
The story revolves around a day in the life of a school principal, a man struggling with an internal crisis as he tries to save his last chance at reduction (a reform school) from the threat of closure. The plot also follows Shai, a teenager torn between feelings of inferiority, inner anger, and a desire for redemption.
Centered on a critical day, the film focuses on the protagonist's psychological struggle as he manages to restore order in the classroom while his own stability cracks. Beautifully shot in stylized 90s tones, the action unfolds within a darkened reality in which hope, anxiety, and institutional uncertainty intertwine beautifully.
He is at the front. Cillian Murphy — Oscar winner — who delivers a deep and physically palpable performance as a principal with a very personal breakdown. In this portrayal, the viewer feels the weight of responsibility, but also the humanity behind it. Shai, played by Jay Lycurgo, is the confused student — fragmented, but also fragilely awake to change. The rest of the cast, such as Tracey Ullman, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson, enrich the spectrum with supporting but vibrant characters who contribute to the sense of a community, exhausted but still insistent.
