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First Reformed

  • 2017
  • R
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
66K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,111
318
Ethan Hawke in First Reformed (2017)
A former military chaplain is wracked by grief over the death of his son. Mary is a member of his church whose husband, a radical environmentalist, commits suicide, setting the plot in motion.
Play trailer2:15
7 Videos
99+ Photos
Psychological DramaPsychological ThrillerSuspense MysteryTragedyDramaMysteryThriller

A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past.A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past.A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns and a tormented past.

  • Director
    • Paul Schrader
  • Writer
    • Paul Schrader
  • Stars
    • Ethan Hawke
    • Amanda Seyfried
    • Cedric The Entertainer
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    66K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,111
    318
    • Director
      • Paul Schrader
    • Writer
      • Paul Schrader
    • Stars
      • Ethan Hawke
      • Amanda Seyfried
      • Cedric The Entertainer
    • 427User reviews
    • 285Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 62 wins & 108 nominations total

    Videos7

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:15
    Official Trailer
    Ethan Hawke Inspired by Paul Schrader for Grim Opening Ritual of "Moon Knight"
    Clip 3:38
    Ethan Hawke Inspired by Paul Schrader for Grim Opening Ritual of "Moon Knight"
    Ethan Hawke Inspired by Paul Schrader for Grim Opening Ritual of "Moon Knight"
    Clip 3:38
    Ethan Hawke Inspired by Paul Schrader for Grim Opening Ritual of "Moon Knight"
    First Reformed: Always In The Garden
    Clip 0:40
    First Reformed: Always In The Garden
    First Reformed: Paul Schrader's Process (Featurette)
    Featurette 2:48
    First Reformed: Paul Schrader's Process (Featurette)
    First Reformed: The Cinema Of Paul Schrader (Featurette)
    Featurette 1:43
    First Reformed: The Cinema Of Paul Schrader (Featurette)
    First Reformed: Crisis Of Faith (Featurette)
    Featurette 1:31
    First Reformed: Crisis Of Faith (Featurette)

    Photos139

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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Ethan Hawke
    Ethan Hawke
    • Rev. Ernst Toller
    Amanda Seyfried
    Amanda Seyfried
    • Mary Mensana
    Cedric The Entertainer
    Cedric The Entertainer
    • Rev. Joel Jeffers
    • (as Cedric Antonio Kyles)
    Victoria Hill
    Victoria Hill
    • Esther
    Philip Ettinger
    Philip Ettinger
    • Michael Mensana
    Michael Gaston
    Michael Gaston
    • Edward Balq
    Bill Hoag
    Bill Hoag
    • Elder
    Kristin Villanueva
    Kristin Villanueva
    • Nurse
    Ingrid Kullberg-Bendz
    Ingrid Kullberg-Bendz
    • Middle-Aged Tourist
    Ken Forman
    Ken Forman
    • Middle-Aged Man
    • (as Ken Foreman)
    Christopher Dylan White
    Christopher Dylan White
    • College Student
    Frank Rodriguez
    Frank Rodriguez
    • Sheriff
    Gary Lee Mahmoud
    Gary Lee Mahmoud
    • Doctor
    Joseph Anthony Jerez
    Joseph Anthony Jerez
    • War Vet in Wheelchair
    • (as Joseph Jerez)
    Sue Jean Kim
    Sue Jean Kim
    • Suriya
    Miah Velasquez
    Miah Velasquez
    • Rose
    • (as Miah Issabella Velasquez)
    Tyler Bourke
    Tyler Bourke
    • Benny
    Natalie Woolams-Torres
    Natalie Woolams-Torres
    • Clerk
    • Director
      • Paul Schrader
    • Writer
      • Paul Schrader
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews427

    7.165.6K
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    Featured reviews

    9Kings_Requiem

    I don't want God's forgiveness... I want his help!

    'First Reformed' is an extremely challenging film. Maybe the most challenging that I've seen. I expected nothing less from Paul Schrader, though, as he's written and directed a lot of challenging stuff over the years. It's slow, methodical and exacting. It asks important questions but does not give any easy answers (or answers in general for that matter)...

    Ethan Hawke's performance at the epicenter of this film really is a towering achievement. It's the kind of performance that will do down as not only one of the best of the year, but this will be remembered (most likely) as his career best. Ernst Toller is a man struggling internally with immense pain and turmoil. The loss of his only child has caused his marriage to fall apart so he has since turned to the Lord for whatever form of relief he can find. Nothing will ever take away that pain, but he's at least been able to somewhat cope with it over the years...though he has never really found true peace or happiness and has since turned to the bottle (like most men seem to) for solace. He writes in a journal every day as a form of self prayer or maybe just a way to put his ruinous thoughts down on paper instead of keeping them bottled up where they could potentially do more harm. A meeting with a local man one day where a multitude of different end-of-the-world topics are discussed ends up leading the Reverend down a rabbit-hole of immense consequences. All of which cause Toller to question his commitment to God and the Church. He's the pastor of a small local church that are all but extinct now and every city is being overrun with these massive churches. Faith has become a spectacle run by mostly phonies who only care about the bottom-line instead of the people and the close-knit community - another thing that frustrates him. Ethan Hawke is able to quietly walk this emotional tightrope the entire film and never allows him to fall into any histrionics. Amanda Seyfried takes on the important role of Mary (one of only 2 main female roles) and she delivers her best performance as well. Mary becomes a integral part of the Reverend's life as they're able to help each other through these difficult times...although it can be kinda hard to see what ways she really helps him. Cedric "The Entertainer" Kyles also shows up along the way as the pastor of the big conglomerate church who, despite good intentions, is probably doing more harm than good.

    I feel like it really demands to be seen whether you're a person of faith or not. This is definitely not your typical Christian film and that's probably gonna upset a lot of people, but this one (and Schrader) have more lofty ideas and weighty themes on their mind. This is a very dense screenplay which leads to a heavy film that expects a lot from the audience. Paul Schrader isn't letting anyone off the hook easily here...he's being patient and letting the film open up at its own pace. This is also the kind of film that doesn't divulge all of its secrets in one sitting...it expects you to come back to it and soak it all in over multiple viewings - which with a film of this ilk you should probably do anyway.

    Paul Schrader and company have created something wholly unique and special with 'First Reformed' and I think it's definitely something to be valued. So if you're in the mood for something a little different and don't mind your movies making you think, then please give it a chance!
    7AlsExGal

    oddly mesmerizing film

    It's as stark as a Scandinavian winterscape. Ethan Hawke stars as a troubled pastor in a small Upstate New York town. He's assigned to an ancient church (founded in 1767) that's basically a tourist spot and part of a megachurch that seats 5,000 and televises regularly for donations. You know the type.

    Anyway, Hawke has a troubled past. His marriage fell apart after his son was killed in Iraq (for nothing) and he may have cancer. He wanders the empty parsonage like a ghost. He's called by a local woman (Amanda Seyfried) to counsel her radicalized husband. He's a warrior against those who are killing the planet for personal gain. He's totally obsessed with industrial pollution and climate change, etc. The wife panics when she discovers a suicide vest loaded with explosives.

    The other main plot has Hawke dealing with the slick megachurch bureaucracy and its major donor, who has a history of polluting the environment. Hey, I said this was stark.

    After several plot turns, the film almost reaches it conclusion but the screen suddenly goes black and silent just as we're about to reach the climax. I thought my streaming service went out. A very off way to end a film, but probably effective. I think there's more than a passing nod to Flannery O'Connor's brilliant novel, Wise Blood, and Hawkes' Toller shares a close kinship with O'Connor's protagonist Hazel Motes and his "Church without Christ." This is a somber and fascinating film by Paul Schrader and certainly not to all tastes. It's worth sticking with because of Ethan Hawkes' excellent performance.
    8bastille-852-731547

    Thought-Provoking, Unsettling Character Study

    Paul Schrader's new drama "First Reformed" is a drama about a grieving reverend who is counseling a couple--the husband of which is a radical environmentalist. This is a talky, dialogue- driven, and unsettling thriller that makes you both empathize with its characters as well as send a chill down your spine at times.

    The film's deeply intellectual and serious commentary on matters of religion and environmentalism is profound and thoughtful. This movie will likely not be suited for mainstream audiences desiring cheap entertainment, but serious viewers looking to be challenged in their thought processes will have much material to ponder during--and after--they view the movie. The acting is very strong, as Schrader commands his cast into giving low-key but quietly powerful and resonant performances. The standouts in the cast are Ethan Hawke's lead role as well as Amanda Seyfried and Cedric the Entertainer in the supporting cast. A gripping, dark (almost relentlessly so at times) tone keeps the viewer engrossed in the film. While this isn't a horror film (despite containing disturbing content and moments,) the film's simple score is incredibly chilling and gets under one's skin more than almost any other film's score I have witnessed in a long time.

    My only complaints about this film are found in the third act. A dreamlike, surrealistic scene inspired by impressionism that involves the protagonist and Seyfried's character feels out of place given the grim tone deeply rooted in realism. Additionally, a quick and highly abrupt cut in the film's finale feels disappointing and almost like the equivalent of a 'cop-out' in film editing. It did not positively impact how I viewed the film's ending. But other than these concerns, this is a very well-made and serious drama designed to quietly shock audiences into a state of reflection on the world today as we know it. 8/10
    7A_FORTY_SEVEN

    Not for mainstream audience.

    My Rating : 7/10

    If you like the great filmmakers of the black and white era such as Bresson and Bergman you will enjoy 'First Reformed' as you can see direct influences from Diary of a Country Priest and Winter Light here.

    Made for the 2018 audience, it's a dark character study similar to what Schrader's done in Taxi Driver before. I enjoyed it for what it is and the overall slow-burning narrative.
    6winniethepoodle

    I Dont Know If I Like This Movie

    On one hand, its beautifully acted, well written, has stunning cinematography, and, at times, makes me want to be a better person BUT this movie is completely devoid of happiness. I felt like crap the entire time I watched it. Perhaps that was its intent.

    I watched the entire move so I must have liked it a little.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Amanda Seyfried was pregnant during the production.
    • Goofs
      The physician describes cancer treatment options referring to them as "diagnostic tools".
    • Quotes

      Reverend Ernst Toller: Courage is the solution to despair, reason provides no answers. I can't know what the future will bring; we have to choose despite uncertainty. Wisdom is holding two contradictory truths in our mind, simultaneously, Hope and despair. A life without despair is a life without hope. Holding these two ideas in our head is life itself.

    • Connections
      Featured in Conan: Cedric the Entertainer/Julian Dennison/Tuxedo & Zapp (2018)
    • Soundtracks
      Are You Washed in the Blood
      Written by Elisha A. Hoffman

      Performed by Julia Murney, Ronald Peet, Elanna White, Jake Alden-Falconer, Eric Lockley, Krystina Alabado

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    FAQ20

    • How long is First Reformed?Powered by Alexa
    • What does Mary say to Reverend Toller at the end of the film just before he drops the glass of Drano?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 8, 2018 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El reverendo
    • Filming locations
      • Zion Episcopal Church, Douglaston, Queens, New York City, New York, USA(old white church)
    • Production companies
      • Killer Films
      • Omeira Studio Partners
      • Fibonacci Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,448,256
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $97,562
      • May 20, 2018
    • Gross worldwide
      • $3,870,404
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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