Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

First Cow

PG-13 Released Mar 6, 2020 2h 2m Western Drama TRAILER for List
96% Tomatometer 226 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Two travelers, on the run from a band of vengeful hunters in the 1820s Northwest, dream of striking it rich -- but their tenuous plan to make their fortune on the frontier comes to rely on the secret use of a landowner's prized dairy cow.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

First Cow

First Cow

What to Know

Critics Consensus

First Cow finds director Kelly Reichardt revisiting territory and themes that will be familiar to fans of her previous work -- with typically rewarding results.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (226) Critics Reviews
Christina Newland iNews.co.uk Filmed with a compassionate eye, this is the antithesis of the dusty classic western. Rated: 5/5 Sep 23, 2024 Full Review Deborah Ross The Spectator It is touching, tender, original, entrancing, definitely the best cow film of the year. Plus it's also a quietly masterful thriller where a clafoutis (blueberry) will have you on the edge of your seat. Jul 29, 2021 Full Review Tara Brady Irish Times Reichardt works in delicate movements as a storyteller. Magaro and Lee's wonderful chemistry keeps perfectly in step with the filmmaker. Rated: 5/5 Jul 23, 2021 Full Review Joonatan Itkonen Toisto.net There’s a tenderness in how Reichardt depicts the trials and victories for the two hapless heroes. Neither of whom is made for such a hostile world. Their friendship isn’t agreed upon, just something always destined to happen. Rated: 5/5 Jul 11, 2024 Full Review Brendan Cassidy InSession Film This has become a common staple for Reichardt, whose films are all about companionship seeking prosperity, but the friendship here between Otis/Cookie and King-Lu (John Magaro and Orion Lee respectively) may be her most endearing yet. Jul 9, 2024 Full Review Dave Giannini InSession Film Kelly Reichardt is just not for me. Well, I could have said that before 2020. But then First Cow happened. I don’t know what to tell you. It’s just so pure. Feb 23, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (178) audience reviews
Michael G Technically, it was abysmally recorded, in darkness. Thematically, it was an interesting vignette of societal extremes played out through deceit. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/16/20 Full Review Audience Member I couldn't wait for it to end. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Georgan G This film is unique as a western. In 1820's north western USA, a friendship between a Chinese man & a cook is the focus. The plot moves slowly, but the beautiful cinematography & fascinating details holds your interest. Only criticism is some parts are too dark to see. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/29/24 Full Review Sanjin M Underwhelming. Decent cinematography, decent score, fair acting. That is about it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/29/24 Full Review Don S seemed a little slow but I really liked the story, well worth the journey. gary farmer, toby jones, rene auberjonois familiar faces. great acting and a beautiful cow, it all comes together. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/24 Full Review Audience Member I loved this movie. Just watched it for the 3rd time. Every about this movie works. Everything Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/24 Full Review Read all reviews
First Cow

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

First Cow

First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Like Hotcakes First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Like Hotcakes 1:55 First Cow: Official Clip - I Want Milk First Cow: Official Clip - I Want Milk 2:20 First Cow: Official Clip - Caught Stealing First Cow: Official Clip - Caught Stealing 1:44 First Cow: Official Clip - Hunting the Thieves First Cow: Official Clip - Hunting the Thieves 1:48 First Cow: Official Clip - Meeting the Cow First Cow: Official Clip - Meeting the Cow 1:54 First Cow: Official Clip - Impressing Chief Factor First Cow: Official Clip - Impressing Chief Factor 2:46 First Cow: Official Clip - Resting Together First Cow: Official Clip - Resting Together 1:53 First Cow: Official Clip - Chief Factor's Request First Cow: Official Clip - Chief Factor's Request 1:34 First Cow: Official Clip - Stealing Milk First Cow: Official Clip - Stealing Milk 2:46 First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Oily Cakes First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Oily Cakes 1:51 View more videos
Cry Macho 58% 64% Cry Macho TRAILER for Cry Macho No Man's Land 39% 71% No Man's Land TRAILER for No Man's Land True Grit 95% 85% True Grit TRAILER for True Grit News of the World 88% 89% News of the World TRAILER for News of the World Bandolero! 20% 50% Bandolero! Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Two travelers, on the run from a band of vengeful hunters in the 1820s Northwest, dream of striking it rich -- but their tenuous plan to make their fortune on the frontier comes to rely on the secret use of a landowner's prized dairy cow.
Director
Kelly Reichardt
Producer
Neil Kopp, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani
Screenwriter
Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt
Distributor
A24
Production Co
Film Science
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre
Western, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 6, 2020, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 10, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$161.0K
Runtime
2h 2m
Most Popular at Home Now