A former critic of renown whose contributions to American cinema include three striking screenplays for Martin Scorsese and a directorial output that has unrelentingly and inventively encompassed true-life stories, controversial social issues and adaptations of novels.

Raised in a strict Dutch Calvinist atmosphere, Schrader reportedly saw his first film at age 17. Following his parents wishes, he enrolled at Calvin College as a theology major. Just before his senior year, he took a film class at New York University and became convinced that movies could examine secular and spiritual issues.