7 reasons why Cillian Murphy's latest drama film Steve is way ahead of time (& a classic already)

Rarely does a film come out that early in its release timeline and be called a classic, yet Steve does just that, Starring Cillian Murphy as a headteacher in a failing reform school, this one-day drama goes deep into mental health, institutional collapse, and human compassion.

Adapted from Max Porter's novella Shy, the film takes a fresh emotional perspective by shifting its gaze away from troubled youth to the adult burden of care.

The bomb cinematography, evocative sounds, and misses that remain etched in the mind after the credits make Steve feel like a film made years before. I can think of 7 reasons why Steve isn't just good, it's on its way to becoming unforgettable.

7 reasons why Cillian Murphy's latest drama film Steve is way ahead of time (& a classic already)

1. Cillian Murphy’s transformative performance

Cillian Murphy yet again demonstrates why he is one of the best actors today. In Steve, he is a fiery yet shattered headteacher in a reform school, and he displays raw emotion and restraint simultaneously. His performance retrieves both rage and tenderness, bringing the audience to experience every fight. Critics from The Guardian and Roger Ebert lauded his deeply humane performance.

Murphy's talent for vanishing into a character reminds us of his scope from Oppenheimer to Peaky Blinders. Steve demonstrates him at his best, playing vulnerability and strength with a quality that already seems timeless.

2. A bold narrative that challenges convention

Steve doesn't adhere to a standard drama equation. Rather, it portrays the course of one disorganized day in a dysfunctional school system through unorthodox storytelling that grabs genuine emotions. The film's director, Tim Mielants, takes artistic chances with close camera shots, unrehearsed dialogues, and pauses that convey a thousand words.

The movie doesn't spoon-feed, but compels the viewer to experience the tension and disorder Cillian Murphy's character endures. The critics have called it "a cry of rage about a dysfunctional system." This fearless reporting puts Steve out there; it's not merely a drama, it's a reflection of society's weaknesses.

3. Deep philosophical themes

At its core, Steve delves into loneliness, community, and the human requirement for care in a society that sometimes forgets both. The film depicts how even leaders who appear to have it all, such as Cillian Murphy's teacher, are hurt internally. The themes of the movie mirror humanity's quest for meaning, acceptance, and redemption.

Through each intense moment, Steve reminds us that mercy is not weakness, but rather survival. Its emotional depth has made it so much more than a school drama; it's a commentary on humanity itself. That's why audiences and critics alike are hailing Steve as one of the most cerebral films of 2025.

4. Visionary direction and cinematic style

Director Tim Mielants, Cillian Murphy's previous collaborator on Peaky Blinders, gives Steve a new look. The movie was filmed consecutively in 29 days to achieve a real emotional rhythm. The rough, gritty handheld camera work immerses audiences inside the school with the characters. Every shot is alive, occasionally frantic, occasionally heartbreakingly silent. Mielants' choice to blend realism with poetic imagery makes Steve appear and feel unlike any other recent drama.

His visual style transforms mundane settings into powerful metaphors for loneliness and hope, while also demonstrating that creativity can lift even the most straightforward narrative.

5. Haunting music and sound design

Steve's score, created by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, contributes to the emotional depth. Their ethereal music subtly builds tensions and mirrors the psychological struggles of the characters. Rather than drowning scenes, the sound design enhances them, and the smallest things, like a breath or a heartbeat, become significant.

The silence of the film is as intense as the sound, and the audience can totally feel the emotions. Critics have commented on how the sound transports the audience into Cillian Murphy's universe, heightening every sense of fear, hope, and fatigue. This close attention to sound work is one of the reasons Steve is unforgettable.

6. Social relevance and future impact

Steve is deeply prophetic in his social statement. It confronts the dysfunctional care and education system, demonstrating how disadvantaged young people are stuck in vicious cycles of failure. The film doesn't criticize its characters; rather, it demands sympathy. Its unflinching narrative provokes the viewer to ask how society reacts to vulnerability.

The Guardian described it as "a cry of rage about a dysfunctional system," and that's what makes Steve so compelling. At a moment when viewers hunger for authentic tales, Steve presents one that is excruciatingly honest and profoundly human, guaranteeing it will be read and remembered for decades to come.

7. The emotional legacy it leaves behind

Few movies linger after the credits finish, and Steve does. Its closing scenes, where Murphy's character wonders if "it's enough," are the essence of hope and human fatigue. That one line sums up self-forgiveness, something we all understand. The emotional depth of the film lingers long after the viewing ends, leaving us to think about care, resilience, and empathy.

Critics have already labeled it "a future classic," and it is easy to understand why. Steve doesn't merely recount a tale; it makes you feel understood. It's a movie that will resound throughout the ages, much in the same vein as Cillian Murphy's unforgettable portrayal.

Steve shows that movies can be, at the same time, raw, poetic, and socially powerful. Fearless is Cillian Murphy's performance, with Tim Mielants' audacious direction carrying the simple story and transforming it into an eternal meditation on care and broken systems. Every single component, including the sound design and ominous final line, haunts you long after it's over.

It is rare for a film to feel both utterly of the moment and ahead of its time. And Steve manages just this feat and accordingly ranks among the most important dramas of the past decade.