In the overall critical review of the film First Reformed on Rotten Tomatoes , the writing , and direction of Paul Schrader and the performance of Ethan Hawke are praised .
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , the film holds an approval rating of 97 % based on 32 reviews , and an average rating of 8.6/10 , with its critical consensus being `` Brought to life by delicate work from writer-director Paul Schrader and elevated by a standout performance by Ethan Hawke , First Reformed takes a sensitive and suspenseful look at weighty themes . ''
First Reformed