Steve (2025)

Ide delivers a strongly positive verdict, calling the film gripping and exhausting and Murphy’s performance devastating. She especially praises the frazzled tension created by the cinematography and the standout performances from Murphy and Jay Lycurgo.

The critic calls the film an emotionally powerful, rallying portrayal of a broken education system. They praise its forceful emotion and disorienting cinematography, while noting that some aerial shots overreach.

Debruge calls the film profoundly moving and superbly acted. He praises Murphy’s committed performance alongside the convincing young ensemble.

The review presents the film as powerful and stylish, with Cillian Murphy in awards-worthy form. It particularly praises the drama’s responsible and intelligent approach.

Bradshaw finds the drama fiercely affecting and ultimately hopeful, while noting that its ending softens some of its earlier ferocity. He praises Cillian Murphy and Jay Lycurgo’s performances, which lead an outstanding cast.

Rooney finds the film harrowing but deeply moving, and ultimately compassionate rather than despairing. He especially praises Cillian Murphy’s riveting performance as a teacher whose care for his students persists through personal strain and institutional neglect.

Baughan’s headline signals a positive verdict, describing Cillian Murphy as impressive. The standfirst also characterizes the film as propulsive, but the review’s details are behind a paywall.

Abele finds the film sincere and energetic but too scattered to deliver its full emotional impact. He praises its vivid performances and especially its moments focused on the vulnerability of Steve and Shy.

The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or complaint can be verified.

The article body is inaccessible, so the critic’s verdict cannot be established. No praise or complaint can be reliably identified.

The page identifies this as a review of the film, but its article text is unavailable. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be verified.

Oller finds the film a frustratingly abbreviated, cluttered drama that leaves its characters and story underdeveloped. He praises Cillian Murphy’s magnetic performance as the weary headmaster, but says the film’s short runtime and split attention undermine it.

Lawson finds the film a frustrating, hollow exercise that mistakes frantic style for meaningful realism. He faults its failure to show the school’s educational work or give its students nuance, despite Cillian Murphy’s energetic performance.

The review finds the film frantic and overstuffed, with too little detail to make its emotions convincing. It praises Tracey Ullman’s appealing, nuanced performance.

Wise finds the film thoughtful, affecting, and a bittersweet celebration of caring for people in their darkest moments. He praises Cillian Murphy’s immersive performance and the ensemble, especially Tracey Ullman.

Hassenger finds the film unfocused and only half-successful as a character study. He praises the chemistry, charisma, and humor of the young performers, and notes that Murphy’s unusual outbursts have novelty.

The review finds Steve powerful but flawed, with a premise and direction that never quite come together. It praises the performances, especially Cillian Murphy and Jay Lycurgo, and the student ensemble.