If you’ve been keeping an eye on Netflix lately, you probably noticed a familiar, intense pair of blue eyes staring back at you from the thumbnail of a new movie called Steve. Released in late 2025, this film isn't your typical high school drama. It's grittier. Set in the mid-90s, the story follows a headteacher at a reform school—a "last-chance" place for kids the rest of the world has basically given up on.
Honestly, the cast of Steve 2025 is what makes this thing work. Without these specific actors, it might have just felt like another depressing British school story. But because it’s led by Cillian Murphy—who is currently on a massive hot streak—it feels more like an event.
The movie is actually a reimagining of Max Porter's novella Shy. If you’ve read the book, you know it’s mostly about a kid. The movie flips that, focusing on the teacher, Steve, while keeping the kid’s story running right alongside it. It’s a 92-minute pressure cooker.
Cillian Murphy as Steve: The Man at the Center
Cillian Murphy plays the titular Steve. This is his first big move after winning the Oscar for Oppenheimer, and he’s not exactly going for "lighthearted" here.
Steve is a man on the brink. He’s the headteacher of Stanton Wood Manor, a reform college that’s literally crumbling around him. The roof leaks, the funding is gone, and a local politician (played by Roger Allam) is breathing down his neck to shut the place down.
What makes this performance interesting is that Murphy’s own parents were teachers. He’s mentioned in interviews that he grew up around educators, which might be why he looks so exhausted in every scene—it’s a lived-in kind of tired. Steve is juggling a crumbling school while dealing with his own mental health struggles, and watching Murphy play that "quietly losing it" vibe is pretty much what he does best.
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The Supporting Players: Familiar Faces and Newcomers
While Murphy is the hook, the rest of the cast of Steve 2025 fills out a world that feels incredibly lived-in. You’ve got legends like Emily Watson and Tracey Ullman, but you’ve also got a group of younger actors who honestly steal a few scenes.
Jay Lycurgo as Shy
If anyone is the "co-lead," it’s Jay Lycurgo. He plays Shy, a student caught in a cycle of self-destruction. Lycurgo was in The Batman (the guy in the face paint at the beginning) and Titans, but this is way more grounded. He spends a lot of the movie with headphones on, listening to 90s drum ‘n’ bass, trying to drown out the world. The chemistry—or rather, the shared desperation—between his character and Steve is the heart of the film.
Tracey Ullman as Amanda
Tracey Ullman plays Amanda, the deputy headteacher. She’s basically Steve’s backbone. While Steve is spiraling, Amanda is the one trying to keep the administrative side from collapsing. It’s a more serious role than we usually see from Ullman, but she brings a certain maternal toughness that feels very real.
Emily Watson as Jenny
Emily Watson shows up as Jenny, the school counselor. She’s worked with Murphy before (most recently in Small Things Like These), and they have a shorthand that works. She represents the "soft" side of the school—the part that still believes these kids can be saved through empathy, even when the budget says otherwise.
Little Simz (Simbi Ajikawo) as Shola
The casting of Simbi Ajikawo—better known as the rapper Little Simz—was a smart move. She plays Shola, a newer teacher at the school who is still finding her footing. She also contributed an exclusive song to the soundtrack, "Don’t Leave Too Soon," which fits the mid-90s aesthetic perfectly.
Why the 1990s Setting Actually Matters
It’s not just for the cool jackets. Setting the film in 1996 serves a few purposes. First, it removes the "smartphone problem"—these kids can’t just go on TikTok to escape. They are stuck in their own heads and in that physical building.
The movie also features a documentary crew filming the school. In the mid-90s, fly-on-the-wall documentaries were huge in the UK. This adds an extra layer of tension. The cast of Steve 2025 has to act like they are being watched by cameras within the movie, which makes everyone a little more performative and stressed.
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The Full Ensemble List
If you’re looking for a specific name you saw in the credits, here’s a quick rundown of the rest of the faculty and students:
- Roger Allam: Sir Hugh Montague Powell (the politician trying to close the school)
- Douggie McMeekin: Andy
- Youssef Kerkour: Owen
- Araloyin Oshunremi: Benny
- Tut Nyuot: Tarone
- Priyanga Burford: Kamila
- Ben Lloyd-Hughes: Julian
- George Fouracres: Angus
There are about twenty different students and staff members who pop up. Because the movie is so short, some of them don’t get a ton of backstory, but they make the school feel crowded and chaotic, which is exactly what director Tim Mielants was going for.
What to Expect If You Watch It
Don't go into this expecting Dead Poets Society. It’s much darker. It’s rated R (or 15/18 depending on where you are) for language and drug use.
The film is only about an hour and a half long, so it moves fast. It’s less about a plot where "everything gets solved" and more about a character study of two people—Steve and Shy—who are both trying to figure out if they have a future.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you liked the vibe of the cast of Steve 2025, here are a few ways to dive deeper:
- Read the book: Shy by Max Porter is a quick read and gives you a lot more insight into what’s going on in the kid’s head.
- Watch 'Small Things Like These': It’s the previous collaboration between Cillian Murphy and director Tim Mielants. It has a similar "quiet but intense" energy.
- Check the soundtrack: The 90s jungle and drum 'n' bass tracks are curated by Geoff Barrow (from Portishead). It’s worth a listen on its own.
Ultimately, Steve is a small, heavy movie that relies entirely on its performances. It’s not a blockbuster, but as a showcase for some of the best British and Irish talent working today, it’s pretty hard to beat.
To get the most out of the experience, try to watch it in one sitting without distractions—the sound design and the "shaky cam" style are meant to make you feel as overwhelmed as the characters themselves.