Cillian Murphy Broke Down The Personal Meaning Behind His Character’s Final Words To His Recorder At The End Of Steve

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Spoilers for Steve are ahead! Read with caution, and watch the movie with a Netflix subscription.

Cillian Murphy stars as Steve in Netflix’s upcoming 2025 release of the same name. The character is a teacher who consistently uses a voice recorder to document his thoughts and feelings – a technique that effectively reveals his inner world. During an interview with Murphy, I asked him about Steve’s frequent use of the recorder, and specifically about the meaning behind his final recording, which prompted a very thoughtful and personal response.

The movie, based on Max Porter’s novel *Shy*, frequently shows Steve, played by Murphy, speaking into a recorder. He uses it to update Shola and also to work through his thoughts and feelings. It appears to be how he copes with the challenges of his demanding job. When asked about this, Murphy explained that the recorder served those two purposes for him.

It seems like he does it to calm himself down. He’s just really busy and doesn’t have enough time for everything. It’s similar to how we all use our phones to jot things down today – that’s his way of doing it. It’s also helpful because he’s trying to get Shola up to date. He’s constantly behind on things, always making notes and trying to catch up. It was a really effective way to show his personality and how he operates.

Read More Of Our Exclusive Steve Coverage

I recently learned that the incredibly touching scene between Steve and Amanda wasn’t scripted – it was completely made up on the spot. Cillian Murphy explained to me why that spontaneous moment was so powerful and actually gave him goosebumps.

The instrument was a great way to show what both characters were thinking and feeling. It allowed us to hear Steve’s inner thoughts as if he were talking to himself, and it helped Murphy sort through his own feelings and make sense of events by letting him vocalize his internal process.

After discussing the importance of the recorder, Murphy and I talked about the last thing he records: “It’s enough, isn’t it?” I thought it was a really moving line, particularly after Steve shared how proud he was of his students. It also resonated with me personally.

The actor shared a similar experience, explaining how it related to his own life, not necessarily to the character Steve. His explanation was surprisingly relevant to the film and very easy to connect with, and he put it this way:

It’s funny, a lot of people have been asking me what advice I’d give my younger self back in 1996. Since I was just starting out as an actor then, I think I’d tell myself that you’re enough as you are. Don’t be so hard on yourself, and remember to be kind to yourself. That’s what feels most important to me now.

It was really touching to hear Murphy reflect on his early acting career. He shared how much he values kindness and being gentle, and explained how those qualities connect to the movie’s final message.

Before finishing up the 2025 movie schedule, Steve shared a wish for his students and daughters: to appreciate all life has to offer, beyond just challenges. He talked about the exciting possibilities that lie ahead, and ended with the question, “It’s enough, isn’t it?” It was moving to hear Murphy reflect on that sentiment, considering where he was at the beginning of his career.

If you’d like to revisit that last point, or how the recorder was used in the film *Steve*, you can watch Cillian Murphy’s excellent movie on Netflix.

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2025-10-06 03:01