Here’s your first trailer for Cillian Murphy in “Steve,” which follows a harrowing day in the life of a teacher at a last-chance reform school. The film is set to world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
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 Murphy 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.
Seems like Murphy loves working with Mielants — his two post-“Oppenheimer” projects 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.
Mielants is now on people’s radar after “Small Things Like These”; his previous credits were underseen Belgian films, “Wil” and “Patrick.” “Steve” hits select theaters this September before landing on Netflix October 3.