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First Reformed

  • 20172017
  • RR
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,324
953
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
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
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller

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.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,324
953
  • Director
    • Paul Schrader
  • Writer
    • Paul Schrader
  • Stars
    • Ethan Hawke
    • Amanda Seyfried
    • Cedric the Entertainer
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Schrader
  • Writer
    • Paul Schrader
  • Stars
    • Ethan Hawke
    • Amanda Seyfried
    • Cedric the Entertainer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 394User reviews
    • 269Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 60 wins & 109 nominations total

    Videos3

    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"
    The Watchlist With Alessandro Nivola
    Video 1:16
    The Watchlist With Alessandro Nivola

    Photos137

    Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried in First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke and Frank Murray at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Victoria Hill at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke, Paul Schrader, and Amanda Seyfried at an event for First Reformed (2017)
    First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke in First Reformed (2017)
    Ethan Hawke in First Reformed (2017)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ethan Hawke
    Ethan Hawke
    • Rev. Ernst Tolleras Rev. Ernst Toller
    Amanda Seyfried
    Amanda Seyfried
    • Mary Mensanaas Mary Mensana
    Cedric the Entertainer
    Cedric the Entertainer
    • Rev. Joel Jeffersas Rev. Joel Jeffers
    Victoria Hill
    Victoria Hill
    • Estheras Esther
    Philip Ettinger
    Philip Ettinger
    • Michael Mensanaas Michael Mensana
    Michael Gaston
    Michael Gaston
    • Edward Balqas Edward Balq
    Bill Hoag
    Bill Hoag
    • Elderas Elder
    Kristin Villanueva
    Kristin Villanueva
    • Nurseas Nurse
    Ingrid Kullberg-Bendz
    Ingrid Kullberg-Bendz
    • Middle-Aged Touristas Middle-Aged Tourist
    Ken Forman
    Ken Forman
    • Middle-Aged Manas Middle-Aged Man
    • (as Ken Foreman)
    Christopher Dylan White
    Christopher Dylan White
    • College Studentas College Student
    Frank Rodriguez
    Frank Rodriguez
    • Sheriffas Sheriff
    Gary Lee Mahmoud
    Gary Lee Mahmoud
    • Doctoras Doctor
    Joseph Anthony Jerez
    Joseph Anthony Jerez
    • War Vet in Wheelchairas War Vet in Wheelchair
    • (as Joseph Jerez)
    Sue Jean Kim
    Sue Jean Kim
    • Suriyaas Suriya
    Miah Velasquez
    Miah Velasquez
    • Roseas Rose
    • (as Miah Issabella Velasquez)
    Tyler Bourke
    Tyler Bourke
    • Bennyas Benny
    Natalie Woolams-Torres
    Natalie Woolams-Torres
    • Clerkas Clerk
    • Director
      • Paul Schrader
    • Writer
      • Paul Schrader
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Forty-six year old Reverend Ernst Toller is the pastor at the historic First Reformed Church in upstate New York. It is seen as the "tourist" church or the "souvenir shop" (its historical significance partly it being a stop on the underground railroad before the slaves crossed into Canada) by Abundant Life, which owns the church and which operates a modern self-named five thousand seat church overseen by Reverend Joel Jeffers. First Reformed is celebrating its two hundred fiftieth anniversary this year, for which a major event is planned, modest in size only at First Reformed itself although the dignitaries like the governor and mayor will be at attendance there, while the event will be simulcast at Abundant Life. Most of the speech-making will be done by local industrialist Ed Balq, a major benefactor of Abundant Life and who is the major donor for the necessary upgrades at First Reformed to be able to hold the event there, and for the event itself, while Toller's participation will be minimal beyond the introductory sermon. First Reformed is generally a sparsely attended church meaning that Toller doesn't have to do much direct ministering, although he does have the stock answers when asked how God factors into this or that situation in one's life. Toller himself has long been divorced, his marriage which could not survive the death of their son, Joseph, in war. Because of that history, Toller believes he is incapable of human love, despite a brief relationship with Esther, the choir mistress at Abundant Life, she who is arguably still in love with him. Toller is neglecting the warning signs about his poor health, the symptoms pointing to a probable diagnosis of stomach cancer, which is only exacerbated by his largely liquid (i.e. alcohol) diet. Toller is already examining his life and work in writing a daily journal for a year, that journal which he intends no one ever to read, but these issues in Toller's life become more pointed when a new pregnant congregant, Mary, asks him to speak to her husband Michael, who Toller will learn is an environmentalist concerned about bringing another human life into what he already sees as a world doomed because of man's role in climate change. —Huggo
    • priest as protagonist
    • church
    • priest
    • climate change
    • religion
    • 117 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The kingdom come undone.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for some disturbing violent images
    • Parents guide

    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

    User reviews394

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•11
    6
    • Amyth47
    • Nov 17, 2018

    FAQ2

    • 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
      • May 18, 2018 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Витоки Реформатства
    • Filming locations
      • Zion Episcopal Church, Douglaston, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
    • 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
      • $3,862,498
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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