First Reformed

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2:20

First Reformed

R

2018

1h 53m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

255 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

The pastor of a small church in upstate New York spirals out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Chris Nashawaty

Entertainment Weekly

First Reformed is a bleak, punishing movie and the furthest thing imaginable from an easy crowdpleaser. But Hawke juices it with an austere sense of grace.

Rated: B

Dec 26, 2018

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David Stratton

The Australian

The film is a cry of rage against the polluters and corrupters who, Schrader contends, are destroying the planet, as well as against the commercialisation of the churches and the growth of terrorism.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 9, 2018

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Mark Kermode

Kermode & Mayo's Film Review

They are weird moments of almost hypnotic transcendence, but at the center of it is that tortured God's lonely man character perfectly embodied by Ethan Hawke.

Aug 28, 2018

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JD Duran

InSession Film

Amplified by a career performance in Ethan Hawke, it’s a fascinating film about a man who struggles to maintain his faith as he sees the world around him crumble to pieces.

Aug 7, 2024

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Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

Deep, thought-provoking and resolute, First Reformed grapples interestingly with the questions of faith and morality, and, by the end, becomes both a subdued and quiet meditation on life and internal despair, and an explosively powerful statement on hope.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 30, 2024

Full Review

Mitchell Beaupre

Paste Magazine

First Reformed is the distillation of the scream inside us all—or at least those of us paying attention.

Rated: 10/10

Jun 24, 2024

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Katie M

Such a waste of time. Don’t bother watching seriously made no sense.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/08/25

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Henry M.

Timely and important examination of faith in a world that persists in punishing and disappointing us, but promises us meaning in social and political causes. Cedric the Entertainer and Amanda Seyfried convincingly portray those who make peace with the world while Ethan Hawke perfectly represents the justifiable pain of the conflicted faithful. Not since Mass has a movie offered something profound for believers wanting a challenge.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/25

Full Review

Javan S.

One of the most fantastic films I’ve seen in a long time. A rallying cry against American-Proseperity-Jesus and church as corporation by means of dialectical metaphysical conversations on very earthly problems.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/16/25

Full Review

Angelina D.

Expected more from the ending. Wasn’t worth watching.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/24/25

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Madam D

Love & despair seem to be the themes of this plot. Hawke brillantly plays a man trying to be a good person, but feeling that he is not good at all. His deep feelings about serving the greater good are put to the test. The ending is achingly human.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

Steven N

So glad I finally got around to watching this. Slow burn here and deep into the spiral of a man dealing with his own depression and traumas. Crazy story that ends about as badly as you fear. 5/5 no question. Maybe Ethan Hawk’s best film?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

Full Review

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Paul Schrader

Director

Ethan Hawke

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Amanda Seyfried

Mary

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First Reformed: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The pastor of a small church in upstate New York spirals out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.

Director: Paul Schrader
Producer: Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Victoria Hill, Gary Hamilton, Deepak Sikka
Screenwriter: Paul Schrader
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Killer Films, Fibonacci Films, Omeira Studio Partners
Rating: R (Some Disturbing Violent Images)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 18, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 31, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 53m

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