Archive of films First Reformed / First Reformed
Pastor Ernst Toller was led into the arms of the church by his turbulent past. Now, at a church somewhere in upstate New York, he looks after a small congregation, offering them spiritual advice and a kind word. Although he is a source of strength for others, his encounter with the agitated Mary and her mercurial husband Michael shakes his own apparent stability. Ethan Hawke masterfully tackles the difficult role of the doubting priest.
Synopsis
Pastor Ernst Toller was led to the Dutch Reformed Church by his turbulent past. Now, at a church somewhere in upstate New York, he looks after a small congregation, offering them spiritual advice and a kind word. Although he is a source of strength for others, his encounter with the agitated Mary and her mercurial husband Michael shakes his own apparent stability. Ethan Hawke tackles the difficult role of the doubting priest with the kind of restraint that only adds to its credibility. Paul Schrader’s film about the contradictions inherent to a life in faith seethes with drama while also smouldering beneath the surface.
Martin Horyna
Images courtesy of Park Circus/Universal
About the director

Paul Schrader (1946, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA). Selected filmography: Hardcore (1979), American Gigolo (1980), Cat People (1982), Mishima (1985), Affliction (1997), Auto Focus (2002), Adam Resurrected (2008), First Reformed (2017).
Contacts
Park Circus Film Company Ltd
14 Gray’s Inn Road, WC1X 8HN, London
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 203 657 9507
E-mail: [email protected]
About the film
Color, DCP
Section: | Horizons |
---|---|
Director: | Paul Schrader |
Screenplay: | Paul Schrader |
Dir. of Photography: | Alexander Dynan |
Music: | Brian Williams |
Editor: | Benjamin Rodriguez Jr. |
Art Director: | Raphael Sorcio |
Producer: | Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Gary Hamilton, Victoria Hill, Deepak Sikka |
Production: | Killer Films, Omeira Studio Partners, Fibonacci Films |
Coproduction: | Arclight Films, Big Indie Pictures |
Cast: | Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric Kyles, Michael Gaston |
Sales: | Park Circus Film Company Ltd |
Guests

Ethan Hawke
Actor