Netflix has released the first trailer for “Steve,” an upcoming drama starring Cillian Murphy in what appears to be a compelling role. Set in the mid-1990s, the movie is a reimagining of Max Porter's acclaimed novella “Shy.”
Murphy portrays the titular character Steve, a devoted headteacher at a reform school for boys, grappling with a day that tests his patience, his principles, and his ability to keep his troubled students on track.
The narrative intertwines Steve's efforts to maintain the school's integrity amidst impending closure with the struggles of Shy (Jay Lycurgo), a troubled teen battling internal conflict and violent impulses.
Following its festival debut, “Steve” will be released in select theaters on September 19 and will stream globally on Netflix starting October 3.
The trailer begins with Steve being prompted to sum himself up in just three words. He chuckles before admitting, “Very, very tired.” From there, we see him trying to connect with the challenging students in his care, even as he leans on substances to get through the pressure.
As the trailer progresses, Steve’s world grows increasingly chaotic. The students’ turmoil intensifies around him, and he finds himself sinking deeper, desperately clinging to whatever coping strategies he can muster.
From this footage alone, I can tell that “Steve” is likely to be an emotional watch, with something real to say.
‘Steve’ on Netflix — what we know right now
Along with the trailer, we also have an official synopsis: “Set in the mid-90s, Steve is a reimagining of Max Porter's Sunday Times bestseller Shy. The film follows a pivotal day in the life of headteacher Steve and his students at a last-chance reform school amidst a world that has forsaken them.
“As Steve fights to protect the school’s integrity and impending closure, we witness him grappling with his own mental health. In parallel to Steve’s struggles, we meet Shy, a troubled teen caught between his past and what lies ahead as he tries to reconcile his inner fragility with his impulse for self-destruction and violence.”
Directed by Tim Mielants, known for his work on “Peaky Blinders,” and adapted by Porter himself, “Steve” looks at what it means to be alone, to keep going, and to try to support others along the way.
Murphy told Deadline: “I gotta say, it was one of the most kind of exposing and terrifying characters I’ve ever played, because it was written bespoke for me by Max [porter], but also had, I think, quite a lot of him in there… There’s elements that I feel like, you know, there was no accent.”
He added: “Both my parents are teachers, so I grew up in a household where I saw the after effects of standing in front of 35 teenagers all day long while my mother was trying to raise four of her own, and they were both out at work. My grandfather is a headmaster. All my aunts and uncles are teachers. So I know the inside-out of that world.”
With a standout cast including Tracey Ullman, Emily Watson, and Simbi Ajikawo, “Steve” from Murphy’s Big Things Films is set to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2025.
Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow’s score is designed to deepen the drama’s emotional impact, layering ambient textures with hints of 1990s-inspired tones. Another reason why I’m excited to see this Netflix original.
Most of all, the trailer hints at a movie that may fuse high-stakes intensity with deeply human moments, exploring the complicated realities of life at a reform school. With Murphy at the helm alongside a talented cast, “Steve” looks set to offer a mix of tension and heart, hinting that it could become one of the year’s more compelling streaming originals. I've already added it to my must-watch list.
“Steve” releases in select theaters on September 19 and will stream on Netflix starting October 3.
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