Ethan Hawke’s Overlooked Masterpiece in "First Reformed"
Ethan Hawke delivered a remarkable performance as Reverend Toller in Paul Schrader’s 2018 film, First Reformed, yet he was surprisingly not nominated for an Oscar. Over more than 30 years, Hawke has proven himself a versatile and dependable actor across diverse genres and scales of production. His 2025 roles in Black Phone 2 and Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon showcase his range, from horror villain and action hero to refined performances under auteur directors.
A Versatile Career Marked by Growth
Hawke is often described as a classic everyman with a refined touch. His acting career has shown spectacular evolution, notably beyond the three films of Linklater’s Before trilogy. However, his finest work arguably arrived with First Reformed, where he portrayed a troubled pastor wrestling with internal and external crises in upstate New York.
Recognition and Snub at the Oscars
Despite his powerful portrayal filled with simmering rage and a haunted presence, Ethan Hawke was snubbed for an Oscar nomination. This omission was particularly surprising given the film's critical acclaim and emotional depth.
"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."
Paul Schrader’s Career Milestone
First Reformed also marked an important point for its director, Paul Schrader, as it earned his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film’s success was centered on its compelling psychological exploration of fear—especially the dread caused by global warming.
"Arguably even more confounding than Ethan Hawke's snubbing for First Reformed, the stirring psychological drama about the all-consuming fear of global apocalypse due to global warming was Paul Schrader's first nomination in his long and storied career."
Legacy of a Brilliant Drama
First Reformed remains one of the most powerful films of the 2010s, combining intense character study with urgent global themes, driven by Hawke’s exceptional performance and Schrader’s expert direction.
Author’s summary: Ethan Hawke’s extraordinary performance in First Reformed was overlooked by the Oscars, despite the film’s powerful themes and Paul Schrader’s milestone screenplay nomination.