Steve Movie Ending Explained: Cillian Murphy Interview Insights

Cillian Murphy is breaking down the ending to his latest movie, Steve, and tells you where to look for answers.

The film follows a headteacher named Steve (Cillian Murphy) trying to fight and save his reform college while simultaneously battling his mental health. Meanwhile, student Shy (Jay Lycurgo) has to navigate his violent tendencies while battling his past and potential future.

In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, Cillian Murphy reveals his thoughts on the movie’s ending and what the audience can take away:

Liam Crowley: I do have one spoiler question for you that we would say for after release. Fair game?

Cillian Murphy: Sure.

Liam Crowley: The ending with Shy, we don’t see him come out of the water, and Steve is all muddied up, and he had his trip. Do you believe Steve had a physical role in saving Shy’s life?

Cillian Murphy: Oh, I ain’t going to answer that.

Liam Crowley: No? All up for interpretation?

Cillian Murphy: I think it’s up to the audience to decide. Yeah.

Liam Crowley: My perspective is tough. My perspective is that Shy heard Steve calling for him, and that was enough to change his mind, and he got out of the water on his own.

Cillian Murphy: I like it. I also think there’s another version. If you read the novel, there’s another version. People should go and read the novel as well.

Warning: Below are spoilers for Steve

What Cillian Murphy’s Answer Means For Shy And Steve

Steve was released on Netflix on October 3 and has already been receiving incredible feedback. Steve is based on the 2023 novella Shy by Max Porter, and is set around the 1990s, focusing on key themes of poverty and mental health.

The film focuses on the fact that the students are struggling as much as the teachers and highlights how internal struggles can impact anyone, no matter the age, gender, or race.

Murphy refuses to give a clear answer about what the ending means and leaves the audience to interpret what they believe happened between Shy and Steve. Troubled teen Shy heads to the water with a backpack filled with rocks. Steve senses something wrong, but is intoxicated and stumbles in a clumsy attempt to save Shy.

Both Steve and Shy are at a crossroads where giving up feels like the only option, but the audience sees flashbacks between Shy and Steve as they deliver heartfelt monologues. The audience is left perplexed as they don’t see Shy leave the water, but instead see Steve return to his family home.

In the following scene, Shy is seen throwing a rock through the school’s window, and his classmates celebrate his vandalism. Steve and Shy embrace, but Steve appears to enter his attic, and his ending is left mysterious and vague.

Our Take On Steve’s Ending

Steve was very clear in its intentions by showing both the student and the teacher’s dynamic as well as the struggles they both faced, which they hid.

Steve’s ambiguous ending can be interpreted in many different ways. I don’t physically see Steve saving Shy from the water, but perhaps his role as his teacher gave Shy enough of a push to get out.

However, it’s not clear whether Steve could escape his addiction and his constant internal battles; thus, the ending has left many in a state of discomfort rather than a clean-cut final moment.