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First Reformed

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for First Reformed R Released May 18, 2018 1h 53m Mystery & Thriller Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer 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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First Reformed

First Reformed

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member One of Schrader's better works that goes off the cliff in the third act. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/22/24 Full Review Dan R 2017's 'First Reformed' is a powerful film that isn't all you believe it to be right up until its conclusion. SYNOPSIS: 'A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past.' This film feels like an unappreciated work of art. Most people, like myself, will never have heard of this, yet it's so emotionally charged it's difficult to shake off it's messages after watching it. Ethan Hawke is outstanding in his role of a reverend battling his own inner demons, his own questions about faith and how they fight against the world of big business. His performance is raw, ragged and taut. His exasperation leads to hopelessness which in turn nearly leads to a desperate end. A portrait of spiritual agony that I've never seen on screen before. As much as this film is a slow burn, maybe tedious at times, it's a film which is so impactful it'll pose so many questions for the viewer. A masterful piece of cinema. 8/10 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/17/24 Full Review Alec C What do we have left to believe in when we don't have our faith?! A reverend starts to spiral as he begins to doubt his church and its supposed morals, causing him to resort to some extremities. An insightful look into the churches many have put their faith in and the many moral hypocrisy that has questioned the path of God! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/06/24 Full Review Chuck Houck C I thought this was better-than-average the first time I saw it. After seeing it 2-3 more times over the years, my opinion has become that this is one of Ethan Hake's best performances. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/05/24 Full Review Jeff M I normally post reviews of movies within 48 hours of watching them so they are fresh in my mind. I've actually been sitting on this one for a week going back and forth, reliving scenes and performances in my mind and actually re-watching a couple. Let's say this upfront - Hawke is extraordinary! It baffles me how the Academy can hand the Oscar to a cartoonish performance like Rami Malek in BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY and in the same year not even nominate sublime work such as this. Art is indeed truly subjective. Thankfully, the film itself is almost as good as Hawke, and as someone who has serious concerns about organized religion after being highly involved in my younger years, it really gave me a lot to think about. It's a quietly devastating film whose atmospheric darkness and dreariness is a perfect companion to the lead character's anxiety and depression. I really wanted to give this at least 1/2 a star more, but I was let down by the very final seconds of the film which sadly turn conventional and are not worthy of what has come before it. Not a lot of laughs here, obviously, but a lot to think about and discuss afterwards. And, again, Hawke has never been better and carries this film on his shoulders like a pro! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review Alec B This is one of Schrader's best movies, with a screenplay reworking elements of "Taxi Driver" to ask serious moral questions about modern American Christianity and what, if any, purpose it can serve. Also, this career best work from Ethan Hawke. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews
First Reformed

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

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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