Cillian Murphy's Journey of Redemption in 'Steve'

Steve (2025)
Written by Max Porter
Directed by Tim Mielants

"We all seek redemption or a second opportunity."

Cillian Murphy won the Oscar in 2023, and this is only his second film after that. According to numerous reports, he was offered many big studio films, but he didn't choose any of those, and I'm actually glad that he chose to make this movie.

Steve is about a man running a school for children who are either abandoned or who are left for good. This is a very loud film; there's a lot of screaming, running around, and chaos happening in a very small & congested area. And cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert captures that in the same manner: rough, chaotic & handheld. This creative choice by Director Tim Mielants suits the narrative of the film & the titular character, played beautifully by Cillian Murphy. He, like those kids, is very disorganized, anxious, and not exactly sure how to deal with life, just trying to do what he feels is right & how he feels is right; his angst is captured so well by the long tracking shots that even I felt anxious for almost the entirety of the film. The sound design is also intentionally loud to give you the exact feel of a place like this.

Writer Max Porter doesn't really give you a lot about the kids & Steve with flashbacks or backstories; he focuses on their present. There's a beautiful monologue written & narrated exceptionally by Murphy in the end that makes you familiarize yourself with the characters more. I think in the entire film, through the documentary crew's questions and everything, the narrative really is that these are just kids who are put in the wrong direction, trying to improve, trying to get better, but at the same time, being spoiled, fighting with each other, knowing very well that this is the only place they are safe, and still complaining about being where they are because they are stubborn, spoiled kids and teenagers, including Steve, a middle-aged man dealing with life and his past traumas, and as the film progresses, you see that this film is more about Steve chasing his redemption than it is about those kids. When you finish the film, when you have full information about Steve, you really understand that everyone is looking for a second chance.

Do we all deserve a second chance? The film raises the exact same question. Do give this beautiful film a watch; I promise it's worthy of your time.

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