‘Steve’ First Look: Cillian Murphy Reunites With ‘Small Things Like These’ Director

Here’s your first look at Cillian Murphy in “Steve,” which follows a harrowing day in the life of a teacher at a last-chance reform school.

Murphy plays the title role — a man desperately trying to hold together a crumbling institution while quietly unraveling himself. It’s adapted from Max Porter’s novel Shy, with Porter himself penning the screenplay.

The film reunites the actor with Belgian director Tim Mielants, who helmed last year’s “Small Things Like These” — also starring Murphy — to strong critical notices. Joining Murphy are Tracey Ullman, Simbi Ajikawo, and Emily Watson.

Word from an early test screening: this isn’t ‘Small Things Like These 2.’ Steve is heavier, rawer, and stylistically distinct — a full-on pressure cooker of a film. Murphy’s performance is said to be magnetic and deeply interior.

I would bet this one hits the fall fests, potentially Venice, maybe not in competition, but Mielants is now on people’s radar after “Small Things Like These.” His previous credits were underseen Belgian films, “Wil” and “Patrick.”

Seems like Murphy loves working with Mielants — his two post-Oppenheimer projecta have been directed by the Belgian filmmaker. Of course, Murphy has another film shot and ready to go, and that’s his ‘Peaky Blinders’ movie with Steven Knight, which might be released later this fall.

“Steve” hits select theaters this September before landing on Netflix October 3.