First Reformed

Written and directed by Paul Schrader, First Reformed follows Ethan Hawke’s Reverend Ernst Toller as he begins to struggle with his faith after enduring a series of somewhat calamitous events. Schrader has infused First Reformed with a deliberate, methodical sensibility that essentially hooks the viewer from the movie’s opening frames, with the engrossing atmosphere consistently heightened by Hawke’s subdued yet thoroughly captivating turn as the somewhat tortured central character (ie the actor’s work here undoubtedly ranks near the top of his list of accomplishments as a performer). And although there’s no overlooking the feeling that Schrader himself is grappling with his own issues towards religion and faith, which does ensure the characters occasionally come off as mouthpieces rather than fully-formed figures, First Reformed progresses into a more and more compelling midsection that focuses intently on Hawke’s protagonist and his growing inner conflict (ie the movie essentially morphs into an engrossing character study). The increasingly dark and downright sinister bent of the picture’s narrative paves the way for a riveting third act, and it’s clear, too, that the whole thing ends on a gripping and unexpectedly emotional note that’s just about perfect – which ultimately does cement First Reformed‘s place as a stellar entry within Schrader’s admittedly rocky body of work.

***1/2 out of ****