First Reformed

Name: First Reformed
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Released: May 18, 2018
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Bill Hoag, Cedric the Entertainer, Elanna White, Ethan Hawke

2018

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 47 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 132 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 132 Ratings

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First Reformed

Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

A24 | Release Date: May 18, 2018

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Bill Hoag, Cedric the Entertainer, Elanna White, Ethan Hawke, Frank Rodriguez, Gary Lee Mahmoud, Kristin Villanueva, Krystina Alabado, Mahaleia Gray, Michael Gaston, Michael Metta, Philip Ettinger, Ronald Peet, Satchel Eden Bell, Van Hansis, Victoria Hill

Summary: Reverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the church is now a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, eclipsed by its nearby parent church, AbundantReverend Ernst Toller (Ethan Hawke) is a solitary, middle-aged parish pastor at a small Dutch Reform church in upstate New York on the cusp of celebrating its 250th anniversary. Once a stop on the Underground Railroad, the church is now a tourist attraction catering to a dwindling congregation, eclipsed by its nearby parent church, Abundant Life, with its state-of-the-art facilities and 5,000-strong flock. When a pregnant parishioner (Amanda Seyfried) asks Reverend Toller to counsel her husband, a radical environmentalist, the clergyman finds himself plunged into his own tormented past, and equally despairing future, until he finds redemption in an act of grandiose violence. [A24]… Expand

Director: Paul Schrader

Genre(s): Drama, Thriller

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 113 min

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Awards & Rankings

38	#38 Best Movie of 2018
65	#65 Most Discussed Movie of 2018
86	#86 Most Shared Movie of 2018

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Total Film - Jamie Graham

Jul 9, 2018

Paul Schrader’s best for 20 years. A stunning study of one man’s flaws and an apocalyptic vision of mankind’s fate. Read full review

100

RogerEbert.com - Godfrey Cheshire

May 18, 2018

A stunning, enrapturing film, a crowning work by one of the American cinema’s most essential artists. Read full review

Vanity Fair - K. Austin Collins

May 24, 2018

Schrader’s film is a wise, shocking, intellectually prodigious masterpiece. It’s a classic Schrader slow burn that seems to reach, in its final moments, for the impossible. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Phillips

May 24, 2018

An act of spiritual inquiry, a coolly assured example of cinematic scholarship in subtly deployed motion and one of the strongest pictures of 2018. Read full review

TheWrap - Alonso Duralde

Paul Schrader has always been a faith-based filmmaker in the truest and most challenging sense, and First Reformed is the sort of stimulating work that a writer-director of a certain age can deliver when he returns to his creative sweet spot; rejoice, Schrader fans, rejoice. Read full review

Empire - Ian Freer

Jul 16, 2018

Schrader’s best in yonks, a powerful meditation on faith’s place in the modern world. Hawke, as a kind of Travis Bickle in a dog collar, gives one of the performances of the year. Read full review

New Orleans Times-Picayune - Mike Scott

Jun 14, 2018

Admittedly, I'm in the minority here, with many other critics swooning over First Reformed and the big questions it raises. Regardless, the biggest question I had after watching it was simple: What the hell did I just witness? Read full review

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User Reviews

DavidWasHere

Aug 22, 2018

Paul Schrader is best known as a writer than he is as a director, best known for his work with Martin Scorsese writing the screenplays for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, the Last Temptation of Christ, and Bringing Out the Dead. And while he has continued to work, he has not made a movie outsidePaul Schrader is best known as a writer than he is as a director, best known for his work with Martin Scorsese writing the screenplays for Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, the Last Temptation of Christ, and Bringing Out the Dead. And while he has continued to work, he has not made a movie outside of the shadows of the former two films. First Reformed might as well be that shot of acclaim. What Paul Schrader did is make a breathtaking examination of depression and salvation.

The first thing that is striking is the atmosphere, creating an ambient tone of quiet and grey, symbolizing the state of mind of the main character. All of which matched by the amazing cinematography Alexander Dynan. The movie has a unique framing, being shot in 16:9, or fullscreen. I'm not sure why exactly, but Schrader made it works regardless. The acting is also great too, with Ethan Hawke giving what might be his best performance of his career, definitely worth an Oscar (or at least a nomination), with Amanda Seyfried and Cedric Kyles (a.k.a. Cedric the Entertainer) delivering some fantastic supporting roles.

I feel like one of the most divisive aspects of the film is the reoccurring environmental messages. I will admit it can be preachy, however I don't really mind because the movie is more about depression and a deconstruction of salvation and God. It's brilliant with how Schrader uses God with the examination of hopelessness and the feeling of regret and betrayal in the backdrop of serious issues that really compliments what is going on. Also more of a nitpick but I wish the movie was entirely set in silence than having an ambient score that doesn't really show up a lot, but it did it's job well enough so I can't complain.

Overall, First Reformed is a brilliant movie that is powerful in it's unsettling deconstruction of the Church. It's hard to watch, but one that you won't forget!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

The3AcademySins

May 27, 2018

First Reformed is a near perfect offering from cinematic master Paul Schrader, and another notch on the belt for the impressive studio A24. Despair, hope, faith, isolation, and social decay are all explored to their fullest depths in a manner that is perfect for audiences in 2018. ThisFirst Reformed is a near perfect offering from cinematic master Paul Schrader, and another notch on the belt for the impressive studio A24. Despair, hope, faith, isolation, and social decay are all explored to their fullest depths in a manner that is perfect for audiences in 2018. This might be Ethan Hawke's best performance as an actor. Amanda Seyfried is also incredible, and Cedric the Entertainer also busts out some fine acting chops. There truly is not a weak link in the cast, even among the minor characters.

The script is a slow-burning engine that drives it's way home. You'll be really emotionally effected by First Reformed. If you are a fan of serious film, this is a must-see. I'll be genuinely surprised if Hawke and Schrader don't get nominations at this year's Academy Awards.… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

grantpolifka

Sep 1, 2018

Guided by an outstanding performance by Ethan Hawke, First Reformed acts as a spiritual sequel to Taxi Driver with its thought-provoking questions and artistic style.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarcDoyle

May 20, 2018

Outstanding film - Ethan Hawke at the peak of his powers. And Cedric is really good in this serious role. It's a little out there, but I enjoyed the pacing - the directing is immaculate.

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

CosiMOLOGO

Sep 10, 2018

El guionista de Taxi Driver y Toro Salvaje, fiel al estilo de sus anteriores trabajos, Paul Schrader, que ahora se encarga del guión y la dirección, junto con A24 (una gran productora de cine independiente). En Taxi Driver teníamos a Travis, un excombatiente de la guerra en Vietnam que alEl guionista de Taxi Driver y Toro Salvaje, fiel al estilo de sus anteriores trabajos, Paul Schrader, que ahora se encarga del guión y la dirección, junto con A24 (una gran productora de cine independiente). En Taxi Driver teníamos a Travis, un excombatiente de la guerra en Vietnam que al ver lo oscura y perversa que era su ciudad decide "limpiarla" por su cuenta. Ahora se nos presenta a Toller, que perdió a su hijo en la guerra y ahora es el sacerdote de una pequeña iglesia en una parte de Nueva York.

Las preocupaciones y todo el dolor que Toller carga se demuestra en el montaje y fotografía, que se inclina a colores blancos y grises, que bien podrían representar la desesperación por los problemas que lo aquejan que abruman a Toller.

Pero también hay espacio para colores más oscuros. La película aprovecha de una manera magnifica todos los elementos cinematográficos y así sabe como crear ambientes valiéndose solo del la iluminación y fotografía, en su mayor parte sin música. Escenas con elementos surrealistas se usan como metáforas que refuerzan el tono de la historia .Pero aparte de la fotografía la interpretación de Ethan Hawke como Toller es conmovedora y convincente.

Paul Schrader a filmado una película conmovedora y honesta… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Aug 15, 2018

This is definitely Ethan Hawke's best performance since Before Midnight, although Born to Be Blue is also a good starting point.

But definitely the actor without taking risks - which are not necessary - delivers a solid, emotional and sensitive performance with which undoubtedly becomes theThis is definitely Ethan Hawke's best performance since Before Midnight, although Born to Be Blue is also a good starting point.

But definitely the actor without taking risks - which are not necessary - delivers a solid, emotional and sensitive performance with which undoubtedly becomes the strongest reason to watch this film. There are other good interventions, especially from Amanda Seyfried, but the film belongs completely to Hawke.

The story is simple but penetrating and intense. A look at depression in a daily routine centered on the thoughts of the character of Hawke: a tormented priest who decides to translate into a diary everything that happens to him, in scenes that work as excellent internal monologues about his mental state.

It's dark and also a bit ambiguous, especially the ending but it's a pretty good film and another success for A24.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

PurpleCrayon4U

Dec 21, 2018

A political message film using religion as a backdrop
to deliver. Ethan Hawke is not that great of an actor,
no matter what he says to the contrary. This film will
be a waste of your time-so wait to rent it or find one
of the thousands of sites to watch it for free.

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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