It’s Absurd That Ethan Hawke Didn’t Get an Oscar Nomination
A Brilliant Drama from the 2010s You Can Watch for Free
Ethan Hawke delivered a powerful performance as Reverend Toller in Paul Schrader’s 2018 film First Reformed, yet he was surprisingly overlooked for an Oscar nomination.
For more than 30 years, Hawke has proven himself a versatile actor, successfully navigating diverse genres and projects. He is a rare blend of a reliable character actor trapped in a movie star’s body. His 2025 roles in Black Phone 2 and Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon perfectly illustrate this range, whether playing an intense horror villain or delivering a subtle, nuanced role under an auteur director.
Hawke has evolved dramatically over the decades, from the long-running Before trilogy by Linklater to his career peak in First Reformed. In this film, he plays a deeply troubled pastor confronting spiritual and environmental crises in upstate New York.
“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.”
Equally surprising was that Paul Schrader, a master of tortured character studies, received his first nomination only for Best Original Screenplay in this film. The movie itself is a gripping psychological drama focused on the overwhelming fear of a global apocalypse triggered by climate change.
Summary
First Reformed stands as a testament to Hawke’s remarkable talent and Schrader’s skillful direction, making his Oscar snub all the more baffling.
Author's Takeaway
Ethan Hawke’s career-defining role in First Reformed demonstrates his profound skill, making the lack of an Oscar nod a glaring oversight in the awards landscape.
Would you like a more detailed focus on Paul Schrader’s contribution as well?