Ethan Hawke’s Overlooked Masterpiece in First Reformed
Ethan Hawke deserved an Oscar nomination for his powerful role as Reverend Toller in Paul Schrader’s 2018 film First Reformed. For more than 30 years, Hawke has shown versatility across genres and film scales, establishing himself as a dependable actor. His 2025 performances in Black Phone 2 and Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon demonstrate his range, excelling both as a horror antihero and a refined actor for auteur directors.
A Career of Evolution and Depth
Hawke blends classic everyman qualities with nuanced sophistication, evolving notably over decades, including his iconic role in Linklater's Before trilogy. His career peaked with First Reformed, where he portrays a troubled church pastor in upstate New York, delivering a gripping performance marked by simmering anger and a haunted presence.
Sidelined for a Brilliant Performance
Despite setting the screen ablaze with his immersive portrayal, Hawke was shockingly passed over for an Oscar nomination. The film was one of the decade’s finest psychological dramas, exploring anxiety over global apocalypse and climate change.
Paul Schrader’s Recognition
Notably, First Reformed earned Paul Schrader his first ever Oscar nomination, for Best Original Screenplay, which was the film’s only nomination.
“He was rudely snubbed of an Oscar nomination despite proverbially setting the screen on fire with his simmering rage and haunted aura he provides to one of the 2010s' finest films.”
Summary: Ethan Hawke’s deeply intense and nuanced role in First Reformed remains an unjustly overlooked highlight of his versatile and evolving acting career.