The movie's basic premises are very similar, as in both films priests, who struggle with their faith, are approached by young men who struggle with dangers threatening earth, wondering if the future holds any hope. Schrader has also mentioned Bergman as an influence for this movie.
The scene where Reverend Toller pours whiskey on his breakfast is similar to a scene in the earlier film, when Travis Bickle does the same thing. Since Paul Schrader wrote both movies, this hardly seems like a coincidence.
