Steve ★★★★★

Stars: Cillian Murphy, Jay Lycurgo, Tracy Ullman and Emily Watson

Director: Tim Mielants

Writer: Max Porter

Where: In cinemas now for a limited run. Streaming on Netflix from 3 October.

Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders) and Tim Mielants (Patrick, Small Things Like These) reunite, but this time in a wildly contrasting film that will have a lasting impact on audiences, showcasing the marvellous but strenuous work of teachers.

Set in Stanton Wood reform school, the film focuses on the teachers and pupils during a single day in what is a very exhausting twenty-four hours, that begins with a newscast wanting to film a bulletin. Told through therapy sessions, newscast interviews and the events that transpire within the day, we uncover more about the characters in this incredibly heavy piece. Max Porter has turned his novella Shy into a film that elegantly deals with serious themes in a story that keeps surprising. The ninety-minute running time flies by due to a gripping story and the connection audiences start to feel towards these layered characters.

Tim Mielants has truly elevated his directing style, encapsulating perfectly the mayhem within the school while playing with audience emotions as he captures these raw, intimate character moments. It’s a full contrast from his previous collaboration with Murphy, as this is louder, daring and more experimental in its visuals. Robrecht Heyvaert gets creative with peculiar camera movements and long tracking sequences that swirl the audience into this volatile atmosphere with extreme close-ups capturing character emotions. While most of the film’s visual style works, there is a bizarre drone sequence with a pumping electronic score that’s well-crafted but feels out of place. While direction, visuals and an electrifying score certainly contribute to the insane ride this film takes you on, it’s the cast are ultimately the standout.

Cillian Murphy fully embodies Steve, a character who is extremely passionate, but for whom everything, including himself, is slowly falling apart. Murphy demonstrates profound emotional depth when trying to keep things together but also takes on a commanding role, taking charge when situations are tough – a truly exceptional performance. Furthermore, Tracey Ullman brings the warmth and heart, as she displays in her performance a character who is needlessly exhausted but loves her job. The entire ensemble is outstanding, as the young cast bring most charismatic, charming and obnoxious characters to the core of the film. From Jay Lycurgo’s character being a silent teenager coping with sadness to Joshua J Parker, who is a loudmouth energetic force, the movie highlights a wide range of characters that are fascinating to watch.

Steve is a film that captures the audience from the moment we enter the school and will stay with them long after the final credits roll. While it’s strange in its visual style, the entire cast are exceptional, with a story that is fascinating.