It’s Absurd That Ethan Hawke Didn’t Get an Oscar Nomination for This Brilliant 2010s Drama You Can Watch for Free

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. Over the past 30 years, Hawke has proven to be one of the most versatile and dependable actors in Hollywood. Whether starring in big-budget films or art-house productions, his performances consistently stand out.

Range and Evolution of Ethan Hawke

Hawke is a character actor with a unique presence, capable of excelling in diverse roles. His work in 2025's Black Phone 2 and Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon highlights his ability to switch between genres effortlessly. He can portray a chilling horror villain or deliver a nuanced performance under the direction of an auteur filmmaker. His career has evolved notably, especially through his work in Linklater’s Before trilogy.

First Reformed: A Career-Defining Role

In First Reformed, Hawke delivers a career-best performance as a troubled pastor in upstate New York. Working with Paul Schrader, a master of complex character studies, he embodies a simmering rage and haunted presence that commands the screen.

“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 Recognition and Film’s Impact

More surprising than Hawke’s omission was that First Reformed earned Paul Schrader his first-ever Oscar nomination, for Best Original Screenplay. The film is a gripping psychological drama centered on the fear of global apocalypse due to climate change, marking it as a standout story of the decade.

Summary

Ethan Hawke's striking performance in First Reformed remains a high point of his career, showcasing his talent and the film’s deep emotional intensity despite being overlooked by the Oscars.

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Collider Collider — 2025-11-06

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