First Reformed

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Brittany R @Brittanyventures Sep 11, 2026 I loved this movie. Ethan Hawke was amazing in this role. The cinematography in this film perfectly captured the protagonist’s deteriorating mental and physical state,  with its raw and color desaturated scenes, throughout the movie. You can almost experience the world through the lenses of the protagonist and experience the bleakness and hopelessness he felt, as he slowly was coming to terms with losing hope in himself, the world around him, and his religion. Although some would interpret this movie as being nihilistic as a whole, I see it as thought provoking and hopeful that in the end the religious community can adopt some environmental concerns, and that the realization that real human connection and compassion can help those in deep states of despair overcome the numbness and misery many face in today’s world. It was a slow moving and meditative type film. Very enjoyable. See more Peter C. @peterc22 Jun 10, 2026 A beautifully shot yet boring film. Story had potential to be far more intriguing than it was. See more Chris S @Janomi Jun 8, 2026 This film did very little for me. It tackles subjects such as faith, guilt, environmentalism, and despair, yet I never found any of them particularly compelling. Much of the film felt more like a collection of ideas than a compelling narrative, and I found its deliberate pacing difficult to sit through. Ethan Hawke delivers a committed performance as Reverend Toller, but I found the character increasingly overdramatic as the film progressed. Rather than coming across as a thoughtful man grappling with environmental concerns, Toller often seemed more like someone suffering from serious mental illness. As a result, many of the film's themes lost their impact. While I can appreciate Paul Schrader's ambition and craftsmanship, I found the film emotionally distant and often self-important. The final act felt increasingly implausible and culminated in an ending that struck me as confusing rather than meaningful. See more Rob A @RT76386004 May 5, 2026 Love the protect our planet/ecosystem message, but this film - despite it's starpower - was odd and anticlimactic in my humble opinion. Can't recommend it. See more Grant H @dj530 May 3, 2026 With church as its backdrop, and religion on trial, First Reformed and its self inflicted righteous cast of characters puts hypocrisy into the forefront. Listed as one of A24's best releases, Ethan Hawke turns in another brilliant performance as our pastor who becomes at odds with everything he is supposed to believe in. See more Chirag P. @trini Apr 10, 2026 Coincidentally saw The Drama a few days ago and see parallels with the themes in that movie See more Read all reviews

First Reformed

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