Cillian Murphy is stepping into one of his most emotionally charged roles yet in the upcoming Netflix film Steve, and the early buzz suggests it could become one of the platform’s most talked-about dramas of the year.

The film, adapted from Max Porter’s 2023 novel Shy, follows a pivotal day in the life of Steve, a headteacher at a last-chance reform school facing an uncertain future. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the school’s possible closure.

Murphy’s character fights to protect both the institution and the fragile young people who depend on it. Central to the plot is Shy, played by Jay Lycurgo, a troubled teenager struggling to escape the pull of his violent impulses while confronting a turbulent past.

The tense dynamic between Steve and Shy is at the heart of the film, promising emotionally raw and unpredictable moments. The supporting cast includes Tracey Ullman, Simni Ajikawo and Emily Watson, adding further depth to the ensemble.

The project reunites Murphy with director Tim Mielants, with whom he previously worked on Peaky Blinders and the 2024 feature Small Things Like These. Murphy also shares a creative history with Porter, having starred in a stage adaptation of Grief Is the Thing with Feathers in 2019 and collaborated on the short film All of This Unreal Time in 2021.

The film’s score, created by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, is expected to intensify the already high-stakes atmosphere. Set for release in select cinemas on September 19, before its global Netflix premiere on October 3, Steve is already generating a wave of anticipation.

Early reactions to the trailer hint that Murphy’s performance could be both haunting and career-defining. Fans are eager to see how he balances the authority of a headteacher with the vulnerabilities of a man battling his own inner conflicts.