LakshmiWhether he is embodying the tormented genius Oppenheimer, the brooding antihero Thomas Shelby, or the quietly compelling Steve, Cillian Murphy consistently delivers performances of astonishing depth and brilliance. His transformative prowess renders him irreplaceably authentic in every character he inhabits, making each portrayal a masterclass in nuanced acting.
One Lash Shot had the chance to briefly speak with the legendary actor about his powerful new role as Steve. Read on for an in-depth look at his reflections, insights, and the emotional weight behind the performance.
This Irishman catapulted onto the stage with a searing debut in Disco Pigs (1996), later immortalized on screen in 2001. His early cinematic ventures revealed a chameleonic range—from the haunting dystopia of 28 Days Later to the razor-edged satire of Intermission, the taut suspense of Red Eye, the lyrical resistance of The Wind That Shakes the Barley, and the existential glow of Sunshine. His fearless turn as a transgender woman in Breakfast on Pluto earned him his first Golden Globe nod, cementing his status as a risk-taking virtuoso.
Murphy’s creative alchemy with director Christopher Nolan began with his eerie portrayal of Scarecrow in The Dark Knight trilogy, evolving through the dreamscapes of Inception and the immersive chaos of Dunkirk. He captivated global audiences as the magnetic Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders and added gravitas to A Quiet Place Part II with another soul-deep performance.
In 2023, he ascended to cinematic legend with his incandescent embodiment of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a role that swept the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes—sealing his legacy as one of the most formidable actors of his generation.
Now, in 2025, Cillian Murphy returns as Steve. The film had its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5th and is set for its global Netflix release on October 3rd.
Director Tim Mielants and Cillian Murphy reunite after their collaborations on Small Things Like These and Peaky Blinders for a powerful new take on Max Porter’s acclaimed 2023 novella Shy.
Set in the mid-’90s, the film follows Steve (Murphy), the devoted head of a struggling reform school for troubled boys. With little funding and burned-out staff, Steve faces a tense, high-stakes day—made worse by the arrival of a documentary crew that may expose more problems than successes. The school, housed in a rundown country estate, is part institution, part social experiment where the boys walk a fine line between aggression and deep emotional pain.
Speaking about his experience working with teenagers, he reflected, “I think if you’ve ever been to school, you might appreciate it. It’s quite universal, I hope.”
When asked what sparked his passion for the character, he smiled and said, “Well, I read the novel, you know, and Max is a dear friend of mine. We’d collaborated a few times before this — Tim too — so I was genuinely excited to join forces with them again.”
Reflecting on the parallels between his own life as a father and his role as Shy’s teacher, he admitted to feeling a deep connection with the character, saying:
“Hugely. I mean, it’s a very difficult job, and this is an even more challenging one, I think, because, you know, these kids are under a lot of pressure—emotionally, kind of—and so I think Steve is under a lot of pressure too. And, you know, you’ve just got to dive into it, really.”
When asked to distill the essence of Steve into a single word—speaking not of the film, but of the man himself—he didn’t hesitate. With a quiet sincerity, he answered: “The character? Tired. Really tired.”
Regardless of the character he inhabits, Cillian Murphy doesn’t merely act—he embodies, dissolving into his roles with such mesmeric precision that one cannot help but be enthralled by it. In Steve, as ever, he conjures a presence so palpable, so luminously nuanced, that the performance lingers—indelible, ineffable, and utterly ineluctable.
Lakshmi
