"Steve": Unveiling the Rough Diamond of Netflix Releases

There are some students who are a handful, but at Stanton Wood School, all of them are. This troubled establishment, run by the lead character Steve (portrayed by Cillian Murphy), draws in deeply troubled young men from across the country. Our friend Steve's committed team of teachers and therapists at this beleaguered institution strive to break through the boys' anger and nurture their prime potential.

Whereas many films of this caliber would have made their debuts at Venice or Telluride, "Steve" humbly bows at the Toronto Film Festival. Sandwiched between over 200 other flicks, it might risk getting lost in the crowd. So, we're taking the responsibility of flagging it for you! It’s a resounding “heck yes!” for "Steve". This electrifying flick is a hidden gem, outperforming any films put forward by Netflix for top honors. Netflix plans to screen "Steve" in theaters from September 19, followed by an October 3 release on their platform.

Of course, some of you might find strands of Netflix's surprise hit "Adolescence" or FX's "The Bear" in "Steve." The reunion between Murphy, co-star Emily Watson and Belgian director Tim Mielants, the trio behind last year's gut-wrenching "Small Things Like These", brings in an acting and directing tour-de-force.

Remember Max Porter's heartbreaking book, “Shy”? That's what gave life to this project, with Murphy personally urging Porter to morph his novel into a script for him to star in. And voila, “Steve” was born! Our titular character represents the terrible toll of years spent fighting for the futures of these troubled teens under his care.

It's 1996 and the government has cruelly cut the school’s funding, leaving Steve and his team, including psychiatrist Jenny and stern-but-motherly Amanda, to fend for themselves. Steve opens Stanton Wood’s doors to a documentary film crew, providing us with a breathtakingly raw portrayal of the hard truths of teenage rebellion. Amid this setting, their responsibility is not only to prevent the students from hurting each other but also from hurting themselves.

Mielants takes us through 92 minutes of gripping tension with his empathetic portrait of the school and its inhabitants. Our hearts reach out to Shy, a nerve-wracking yet tender character, as he carries around his heavy rucksack, suggesting the weight of his troubled mind.

Unfolding in scenes of raw emotion and intimate moments, we are introduced to a side of Steve unseen by others. We learn that the slightly scruffy-looking Steve has had a bottle of alcohol or two up his sleeve around school – a picture of a man dealing with guilt and addiction.

Many might have lauded Murphy's performance in "Oppenheimer," but his role in "Steve" adds another badge of extraordinary performance to his actor's sash. Steve’s unstinting dedication to his school is brought to life by Murphy's impressive commitment to his craft.

In the end, “Steve” pushes past any clichés associated with the genre to deliver something you might not expect, shifting the main spotlight from Shy towards Steve. A pivot that adds another layer of texture to this already multi-dimensional narrative.