“Steve” is a nervous breakdown disguised as a movie, and while it’s almost exactly the opposite of enjoyable, it continues the impressive collaboration of star Cillian Murphy and Belgian director Tim Mielants after numerous episodes of “Peaky Blinders” and the stark 2024 drama “Small Things Like These.” Murphy continues to spend his “Oppenheimer” credit in smart and creative ways, and this drama set at a residential reform school for delinquent teenage boys offers ferocious performances and a big, beating heart. (Opening in theatres Friday, the film will stream on Netflix starting Oct. 3.)

The star (who also produced) plays the title character, the head teacher at Stanton Wood and a deeply troubled man. Adapted by Max Porter from his 2023 novel “Shy,” “Steve” takes place over the course o

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