First Reformed
First Reformed isn't just a film; it's a potent, unsettling journey into the soul of a man grappling with a profound crisis of faith and the crushing weight of the modern world. Written and directed by the legendary Paul Schrader and starring an unforgettable Ethan Hawke, this psychological thriller challenges viewers to confront urgent existential questions about belief, despair, and the future of humanity. Its masterful storytelling and raw performances leave an indelible mark, inviting us to explore the shadows lurking within the human spirit. "First Reformed" meticulously explores the unraveling psyche of a minister tormented by personal tragedy and global despair, leading him to radical thoughts. The film garnered widespread critical acclaim, recognized for its masterful direction, potent screenplay, and a career-defining performance by Ethan Hawke. Paul Schrader employs a distinct "transcendental style" in filmmaking, echoing cinematic masters while tackling urgent contemporary issues like climate change and radicalism.
AI Summary
First Reformed isn't just a film; it's a potent, unsettling journey into the soul of a man grappling with a profound crisis of faith and the crushing weight of the modern world. Written and directed by the legendary Paul Schrader and starring an unforgettable Ethan Hawke, this psychological thriller challenges viewers to confront urgent existential questions about belief, despair, and the future of humanity. Its masterful storytelling and raw performances leave an indelible mark, inviting us to explore the shadows lurking within the human spirit.
- "First Reformed" meticulously explores the unraveling psyche of a minister tormented by personal tragedy and global despair, leading him to radical thoughts.
- The film garnered widespread critical acclaim, recognized for its masterful direction, potent screenplay, and a career-defining performance by Ethan Hawke.
- Paul Schrader employs a distinct "transcendental style" in filmmaking, echoing cinematic masters while tackling urgent contemporary issues like climate change and radicalism.
First Reformed: A Descent into Despair
Our story begins with Reverend Ernst Toller, played by Ethan Hawke, a minister presiding over the dwindling First Reformed Church in Snowbridge, New York. He meticulously journals his thoughts, intending to destroy them after a year—a poignant act that immediately signals a man wrestling with profound internal conflict and a tormented past.
A Troubled Congregation
Toller's church boasts a rich history, once a vital stop on the Underground Railroad over 250 years ago. Today, however, it primarily functions as a tourist attraction, with attendance dwindling under Toller's leadership. This historical legacy stands in stark contrast to its present reality, struggling for relevance and owned by a more contemporary, charismatic megachurch, Abundant Life.
Privately, Toller battles his own demons, including a struggle with alcoholism and the crushing guilt over his son Joseph's death in the Iraq War—a conflict Toller himself encouraged his son to join. Seeking solace, he delves into mystical writings and Catholic authors like Thomas Merton, searching for a deeper spiritual experience beyond his traditional Reformed faith.
Seeds of Doubt and Radicalization
Toller's world is further shaken by Mary, a troubled parishioner seeking counseling for her radical environmentalist husband, Michael. Michael's request for Mary to have an abortion, born from despair over climate change and a world he believes is doomed, becomes the catalyst that ignites Toller's own existential crisis.
The discovery of Michael's suicide vest in their garage plunges Toller deeper into Michael's fervent, desperate worldview. Toller decides against involving the police, believing it would only worsen Michael’s state. Tragically, Michael takes his own life, leaving Toller to grapple with the fallout and the unsettling questions Michael's actions raised.
Following Michael's will, a haunting service is held at a local toxic-waste dump, scattering his ashes amidst the industrial blight. This stark setting underscores the film's environmental themes, which soon lead Toller to a heated confrontation with Edward Balq, a powerful industrialist and major benefactor of the Abundant Life megachurch, over the moral implications of climate change and Christian stewardship.
Toller's Spiral
As Toller's mental and spiritual state deteriorates, his body begins to betray him too, with physical pains leading to a suspected stomach cancer diagnosis. He obsessively delves into Michael's laptop, immersing himself in the same radical environmentalist materials that fueled Michael's despair, mirroring his tragic descent.
One night, Mary visits Toller at the parsonage, leading to a deeply unsettling, yet profound, act of intimacy. They reenact a non-sexual ritual Michael called "The Magical Mystery Tour," where Mary lies atop Toller, creating a moment laden with empathy, transference, and a blurring of emotional boundaries.
The climax builds towards the church's sestercentennial service, a grand event planned with dignitaries and Edward Balq in attendance. Toller, now utterly consumed, begs Mary not to come. He dons Michael's explosive vest, arming it in a chilling echo of Michael's radicalism, only to remove it upon seeing Mary arrive. Instead, he wraps himself in barbed wire beneath his alb and prepares to drink drain cleaner—a desperate, self-destructive act. But then, Mary interrupts him, and the film cuts to black in a sudden, ambiguous, and profoundly impactful embrace.
Crafting the Transcendental
Paul Schrader, the film's writer and director, is renowned for his 1972 book "Transcendental Style in Film," which analyzed the work of masters like Yasujiro Ozu, Robert Bresson, and Carl Theodor Dreyer. "First Reformed" is a masterclass in applying these theories, showcasing a restrained yet deeply impactful style that recalls those cinematic giants.
Cinematic Echoes and Influences
The film's script is rich with allusions, drawing inspiration from Bresson's "Diary of a Country Priest" (1951) and Ingmar Bergman's "Winter Light" (1963)—both tales of priests grappling with spiritual crises. Schrader even subtly weaves in elements from his own iconic script for "Taxi Driver" (1976), particularly in the protagonist's descent into isolation and radicalism.
Visually, Schrader made a deliberate choice to shoot in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, a square-like frame inspired by Paweł Pawlikowski's "Ida." This decision wasn't merely aesthetic; Schrader noted it "drives the vertical lines," creating a powerful sense of claustrophobia and emphasizing the human body within the frame, reflecting Toller's internal confinement.
Acclaim and Impact
First Reformed made its highly anticipated world premiere at the 74th Venice International Film Festival in August 2017, generating significant buzz. It then continued its festival journey, captivating audiences at Telluride and Toronto before being acquired by A24 for North American distribution and a limited theatrical release in May 2018.
Box Office Performance
Despite its art-house nature, the film opened strongly, earning $100,270 from just four theaters, averaging an impressive $25,067 per screen. This marked one of the best per-screen averages of Schrader's long and distinguished career, ultimately leading to a worldwide gross of nearly $4 million.
Critical Adoration
Critics showered "First Reformed" with praise. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a remarkable 94% positive rating, with the consensus highlighting "delicate work from writer-director Paul Schrader and a standout performance by Ethan Hawke." Metacritic awarded it an 86 out of 100, signifying "universal acclaim."
A.O. Scott of The New York Times lauded its wrestling with contemporary reality, noting its formal dialogue and crisp images. Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times called it "a cinephile's delight and a believer's conundrum," praising its blend of austere art film and bracing B-movie soul. These powerful reviews underscored the film's unique ability to provoke thought and emotion.
Critics like David Sims of The Atlantic described it as "a tale of existential woe" and "one of the most searing cinema experiences of the year." Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian found its "Bunyanesque severity" as refreshing as "ice-cold water," even pointing out the lead character's name, Ernst Toller, as an allusion to a German playwright, adding layers of literary depth.
Award Season Recognition
"First Reformed" was a prominent fixture during award season. Ethan Hawke's searing portrayal of Reverend Toller earned him the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead, with the film also receiving nominations for Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay at the same ceremony.
Paul Schrader's masterful script was particularly celebrated, winning Best Original Screenplay at the Critics' Choice Awards and a Best Screenplay award at the Gotham Independent Film Awards. Hawke also received the Gotham Award for Best Actor, cementing their collaborative triumph.
Both the prestigious National Board of Review and the American Film Institute recognized "First Reformed" as one of the Top 10 Films of 2018. The culmination of this critical and industry adoration came with Schrader's first-ever Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the 91st Academy Awards—a remarkable career milestone for a filmmaking icon.
Even years after its release, the film continues to resonate deeply. In 2025, it was voted onto The New York Times' "Readers' Choice" list of the "100 Best Movies of the 21st Century," finishing at number 122, and ranked number 39 on Rolling Stone's similar list, solidifying its place as a modern cinematic classic.
Article
First Reformed
First Reformed is a 2017 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Paul Schrader. It stars Ethan Hawke as a minister of a small congregation in upstate New York who grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns, and a tormented past. Amanda Seyfried, Cedric Kyles, Victoria Hill, and Philip Ettinger appear in supporting roles.
The film had its world premiere at the 74th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2017, and was theatrically released in the United States on May 18, 2018, by A24. It grossed $4 million worldwide and received positive reviews from critics, who mostly praised Hawke's performance and Schrader's direction and writing. Both the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute selected First Reformed as one of the top ten films of 2018, and Schrader was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 91st Academy Awards for his work on the film. At the 24th Critics' Choice Awards, Hawke was nominated for Best Actor and Schrader won Best Original Screenplay, and, at the 34th Independent Spirit Awards, the film garnered nominations for Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, while Hawke won Best Male Lead.
Plot
First Reformed
Reverend Ernst Toller of the First Reformed Church in Snowbridge, New York is writing down his thoughts in a journal for a year, after which he intends to destroy it. He leads a 250-year-old Dutch Reformed Church which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad; it faces dwindling attendance under Toller's leadership, which has taken the church in a new direction and away from its historical focus on Reformed theology and today it serves mostly as a tourist attraction. In trying to manage his own life issues, such as his alcoholism, Toller seeks a deeper experience through reading Roman Catholic writings (G.K. Chesterton and Thomas Merton) and mystical books (The Cloud of Unknowing). This new spiritual direction leads him to seek support from a nearby charismatic megachurch, Abundant Life, which owns First Reformed.
Toller, a former military chaplain, is also struggling with the death of his son Joseph, who was killed in the Iraq War; Toller had encouraged him to enlist. He meets Mary, who is seeking counseling for her radical-environmentalist husband, Michael. He further challenges Toller's beliefs: Michael explains that he wants Mary to get an abortion, because he does not want to bring a child into a world that will be rendered almost uninhabitable by climate change.
Mary finds a suicide vest belonging to her husband in their garage. Toller takes it, promising to counsel Michael about it. Mary and Toller discuss going to the police, but Toller feels it would dramatically worsen Michael's state. Just before their next appointment, Michael sends Toller a text message asking to meet in a local park. Toller arrives to find Michael dead of a self-inflicted shotgun wound. In accordance with Michael's will and testament, a service is held at a local toxic-waste dump, where his ashes are scattered. Meanwhile, plans are underway to celebrate the sestercentennial of First Reformed with a service attended by the mayor, governor, and a notable industrialist, Edward Balq, a key financial backer of Abundant Life. At a meeting in a diner, Toller argues with Balq over climate change after Balq finds Toller honoring Michael's will a political act: Balq dismisses it as "complicated", but Toller sees it as a straightforward matter of Christian stewardship.
Experiencing various physical pains, Toller reluctantly sees a doctor, who suspects stomach cancer and schedules tests. Using Michael's laptop, which he took after his suicide to prevent the police discovering his radicalism and making trouble for Mary, Toller researches Michael's concerns further, including the materials which inspired him to make the explosive vest. One night, Mary visits Toller in the parsonage of the church, and he plays Michael's role in a nonsexual rite of physical intimacy that the couple used to perform, called "The Magical Mystery Tour", that involved Mary lying on top of her husband.
Toller begs Mary not to attend the anniversary service. Preparing for his role in the ceremony, he puts on the explosive vest, and arms it. When he sees Mary entering for the ceremony, he removes the vest and instead wraps himself in barbed wire under his alb. Toller pours a glass full of drain cleaner and is about to drink it when Mary interrupts him. The two embrace, kissing passionately before the film abruptly cuts to black.
Production
First Reformed
The restrained style of First Reformed recalls the films of Yasujiro Ozu, Robert Bresson, and Carl Theodor Dreyer that Schrader wrote about in his 1972 book Transcendental Style in Film. Elements of the script allude to Bresson's Diary of a Country Priest (1951), Ingmar Bergman's Winter Light (1963), and the work of Dreyer, as well as Schrader's own script for Taxi Driver (1976). Schrader said that Paweł Pawlikowski's film Ida (2013) inspired him to shoot in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, saying it "drives the vertical lines, so you get more of the human body in the frame." Before approaching Seyfried, Schrader discussed casting Michelle Williams in the role of Mary.
Principal photography lasted 20 days, with a budget of $3.5 million. The film was shot around Brooklyn and Queens, New York, including the building and grounds of the Zion Episcopal Church in Douglaston.
Release
First Reformed
First Reformed premiered in the main competition section of the 74th Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2017. It was also screened at the 44th Telluride Film Festival on September 2, and at the 42nd Toronto International Film Festival on September 12.
In September 2017, A24 acquired the film's North American distribution rights. It was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 18, 2018, and was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2018. The screenplay was published by Archway Editions on January 31, 2023, with an introduction by Masha Tupitsyn.
Reception
Box office
Its opening weekend, the film made $100,270 from four theaters, averaging $25,067 per screen—one of the best per-screen averages of Schrader's career. By the end of its theatrical run, it had grossed $3,448,256 in the United States and Canada and $540,356 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $3,988,612.
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 254 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Brought to life by delicate work from writer-director Paul Schrader and elevated by a standout performance by Ethan Hawke, First Reformed takes a sensitive and suspenseful look at weighty themes." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 86 out of 100, based on 48 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
A. O. Scott of The New York Times wrote: "First Reformed wrestles with contemporary reality, but it isn't a work of realism in the way that term is conventionally understood. The dialogue is delivered with formal, almost stiff cadences, and the images are crisp, graceful and plain." Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times described the film as "a cinephile's delight and a believer's conundrum, an austere American art film with a bracing B-movie soul, and a story in which the cruelest of cosmic punchlines may finally be no different from the most beautiful accession of grace." David Sims of The Atlantic called the film "a tale of existential woe [...] an embittered look at our world through the eyes of someone who’s increasingly horrified to be a part of it, and a film that’s one of the most searing cinema experiences of the year." Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said that "the sheer Bunyanesque severity of this film is as refreshing as a glass of ice-cold water", and called it "a passionately focused film but not a masterpiece", noting that the name of the lead character is an allusion to the German playwright Ernst Toller. Michael Phillips of The Chicago Tribune stated that "for such a deliberate exercise in a specific, methodical style, First Reformed is oddly bracing, full of unresolved, contradictory, vital ideas."
In July 2025, it was one of the films voted for the "Readers' Choice" edition of The New York Times' list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century," finishing at number 122. That same month, it ranked number 39 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century."
Accolades
The film received nominations at the 34th Independent Spirit Awards for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay, and Hawke won the award for Best Male Lead. At the 24th Critics' Choice Awards, the film was nominated for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay, winning the latter. Schrader and Hawke were awarded Best Screenplay and Best Actor, respectively, at the 28th Gotham Independent Film Awards. Both the National Board of Review and American Film Institute listed First Reformed as one of the Top 10 Films of 2018, and the National Board of Review also gave Schrader their award for Best Original Screenplay. Schrader's screenplay was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 91st Academy Awards, marking the first Oscar nomination of his long filmmaking career.