The role of an adult is to act as a role model for those who rely on the principles of being good citizens in a well-behaved, respectful society. While this is easier said than done, there are children who don’t fit the norms we imagine our surroundings should be built upon. What do we do then? Do we give up on them, or do we offer another chance? And if given that chance, will those kids embrace it — or exploit it?
Steve follows its titular character through an unrelenting day, when he must navigate the chaos of troubled teenagers so unruly that even their parents have given up hope. As a documentary crew arrives to film the reform school, the question becomes glaringly obvious: will they even survive the day?
It is an astonishing portrayal of how quickly an ordinary day can spiral into madness. As a viewer, you are confronted with the unsettling reality of what happens if a school collapses under pressure and its students are left abandoned. With tempers flaring and violence escalating to the brink of catastrophe, their only hope is Steve, who knows how to reach each boy individually, with empathy and authority.
Director Tim Mielants and Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy form a remarkable creative partnership, delivering a film that redefines social expectations. It demonstrates that even the most “lost cause” can transform into something meaningful when met with patience, persistence, and proper guidance — qualities that can triumph over circumstances designed to crush any chance of redemption.
Anchored by Murphy’s searing performance, Steve becomes a poignant character study and a bruised elegy for institutions under siege. It is not merely a story about wayward boys but about the fragile flickers of possibility that remain when hope seems nearly extinguished.