Paul Schrader, the legendary writer of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and others returns to his dark roots with First Reformed. Starring Ethan Hawke as a priest experiencing a crisis of faith, the film finds Schrader at his most challenging and controversial, but also at his best.  

Schrader took a few minutes to talk with me for an episode of Cinema Royale, and discusses the decades-long path to bringing First Reformed to the screen. He also talks about spirituality, his many cinematic influences, and much more.