Cillian Murphy arrived at the world premiere of Steve at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday with a striking new look, debuting long, curly hair as he posed on the red carpet.
The 49-year-old actor, best known for his role in Peaky Blinders, wore a classic black single-breasted blazer with a crisp white shirt, tailored black trousers and polished black leather shoes. Murphy appeared in high spirits, smiling for selfies and greeting fans ahead of the screening of the Netflix drama.
In Steve, Murphy plays an exhausted headteacher at a last-chance reform school. The trailer, released last month, showed his transformation into a dishevelled, sleep-deprived educator fighting to keep the school open. The film unfolds over a pivotal day in the character's life as he struggles to uphold the institution's integrity while confronting the intense emotional toll of his work.
The Toronto screening provided audiences an early look at the performance and the film's intimate, character-driven focus. Murphy's red-carpet demeanor — relaxed and engaging with fans — contrasted with the harried figure he portrays in the promotional material, emphasizing the actor's shift into the role.
Steve is among the high-profile premieres at the festival this year that highlight streaming platforms' increasing presence on the TIFF schedule. The premiere is part of the film's festival engagements ahead of its planned availability on Netflix.
Murphy's appearance in Toronto continues a pattern of high-profile festival dates for actors promoting dramatic turns in streaming features. Observers noted the actor's new hair and understated tailoring as a departure from the shorter styles he has often worn in public, reinforcing the transformative approach he brings to his characters.
With the trailer already circulating and the festival screening completed, attention will turn to audience and critical reactions as Steve moves toward wider release on Netflix. The film centers on themes of institutional pressure and personal exhaustion, framing a single day as a crucible for the central character's professional and emotional challenges.