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 fif... (Full plot summary below)
Enjoy FREE movies and series with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
| Movie Source | Available | Offers | Added | Views | Quality | Format | Rating | Link | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | UK only | 1 Month Free Trial | 06 Sep 2022 | 3043 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 61% |  Report: Broken Link |   |
| USA only | 1 Month Free Trial | 13 Oct 2023 | 3442 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 79% | Report: Broken Link | |
| IRELAND only | 1 Month Free Trial | 16 Dec 2016 | 1188 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 74% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 05 Apr 2025 | 597 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 94% | Report: Broken Link | |
![Its HD [First Reformed]](/images/logos/icons/itshd.png){kind=icon} | WORLDWIDE | ? | 30 Jul 2019 | 3589 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 95% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | 30 Day Free Trial | 04 Apr 2019 | 784 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 51% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | UK only | Free Credit | 10 Jun 2023 | 167 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 41% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 24 Sep 2014 | 172 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 33% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 26 Aug 2025 | 20 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 26% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 02 Oct 2021 | 210 | HD | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 25% | Report: Broken Link | |
 | WORLDWIDE | ? | 25 Aug 2013 | 10 | SD / TV | Watch OnlineStream Instantly | 4% | Report: Broken Link | |
Links compiled using automated software. Availability of offers subject to change / might be region specific / out of date.
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.
Leave your thoughts about First Reformed.
| DeciderJoe ReidIt's a thrilling ride, and Ethan Hawke's performance - the best of his career and worthy of an Oscar nomination - never once lets you out of its grip. |
| The Victoria AdvocateJoe FriarJust as redemption plays a role in most of Schrader's work, First Reformed offers self-redemption for a master craftsman who delivers on the best films of 2018. |
| What I Watched TonightMatt HudsonPart scathing, part ruminative, part tragic but profoundly affecting, First Reformed is an astonishing piece of cinema. |
| The SkinnyPhilip ConcannonThe work of a passionate, intelligent and audacious artist who knows exactly what he wants to say and how he wants to say it. |
| FanboyNation.comSean MulvihillSchrader puts his character on a collision course between the promises of faith and the tragic realities of world in environmental decay. |
| CinemaywardJoel MaywardOne may interpret the final moments of First Reformed as the despondency of Good Friday or the hope of Easter; in either case, it is holy ground. |
| Spirituality and PracticeFrederic and Mary Ann BrussatA slow movie classic which explores a rainbow mix of religious and spiritual themes. |
| The Movie SleuthMichelle KisnerThis formalist approach to the narrative takes a hard right into more stylized imagery in the third act which is as breathtaking as it is surprising. |
| Minneapolis Star TribuneColin Covert"First Reformed" is a miracle in its own regard, the rare type of film that leaves us with questions left to answer and for many, a desire to dig into it deeper through a second viewing. |
| Christianity TodayKenneth R. MorefieldI have been waiting most of my adult life for Paul Schrader to direct a great film. |
