It’s Absurd That Ethan Hawke Didn’t Get an Oscar Nomination for This Brilliant 2010s Drama You Can Watch for Free
Ethan Hawke deserved an Oscar nomination for his role as Reverend Toller in Paul Schrader’s 2018 film, First Reformed. For over 30 years, Hawke has proven himself as one of the most reliable actors, excelling in various genres and production scales.
A Versatile Actor with Depth
Hawke blends the traits of a classic character actor with the presence of a movie star. His 2025 performances in Black Phone 2 and Richard Linklater's Blue Moon highlight his range, from horror villain to auteur-driven acting showcase. He has evolved impressively over the decades, surpassing even the impact of Linklater’s Before trilogy.
Career-Best Performance in First Reformed
In First Reformed, Hawke delivers a powerful portrayal of a tormented church pastor confronting environmental despair in upstate New York. Working with Paul Schrader, a master of complex character studies, Hawke brought a simmering rage and haunted presence to one of the finest films of the 2010s.
“He was rudely snubbed of an Oscar nomination despite proverbially setting the screen on fire with his simmering rage and haunted aura.”
Paul Schrader’s Only Oscar Nod
Adding to the confusion, First Reformed earned Schrader his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, marking the film’s sole nomination despite Hawke’s exceptional performance.
“Arguably even more confounding than Ethan Hawke's snubbing was Paul Schrader’s first nomination in his long and storied career, earning the film's lone Oscar nod.”
Author’s summary: Ethan Hawke’s exceptional performance in First Reformed remains one of the 2010s’ most underrated, unjustly overlooked by the Oscars despite the film’s critical acclaim.