Steve
2025
***
Director: Tim Mielants
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman, Jay Lycurgo, Simbi Ajikawo, Emily Watson, Douggie McMeekin, Youssef Kerkour, Luke Ayres, Joshua J. Parker, Araloyin Oshunremi, Tut Nyuot, George Fouracres, Shelley Longworth, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Priyanga Burford, Ruby Ashbourne-Serkis, Roger Allam
During a tense 24 hours at Stanton Wood, an English reform school for troubled boys, headteacher Steve is close to breaking under the strain of his job and mental health, while a boy named Shy faces a crisis of his own. Tim Mielants' drama is short and intense, but not what I'd call enjoyable. The performances are strong, though it is puzzling we are introduced to the troubled boys only in the final 10 minutes. The restless handheld camerawork (plus one baffling drone shot) suits the material but becomes exhausting. The film is based on Max Porter's 2023 novella Shy. The story is set in 1996, either because Porter was 15 then or because the school system has changed since.
