First Cow

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1:38

First Cow

PG-13

Released Mar 6, 2020

2h 2m

Western

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

224 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.

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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.

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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

Morgan Olson

Loud and Clear Reviews

For all its idiosyncrasies in presentation and characterization, its narrative regresses into a standard fare that lacks momentum or significant character growth.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 8, 2025

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

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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

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Audience Member

I couldn't wait for it to end.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Zack D.

Great script. Well acted. Nice period piece with a simple, but worthwhile plot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

Full Review

Rolf T

The gentle pacing of First Cow is reminiscent of a nature documentary, which of course it is - a study of human nature on the frontier of the Pacific northwest, before electricity, gas and TV. As the frontier creeps towards the Pacific ocean the trappings of civilization gradually appear from the east, including the first cow to arrive in the settlement. The central characters are searching for opportunity in a land without a safety net, and it is perhaps this sense of insecurity that makes a simple story so compelling. Crafted with Kelly Reichardt's distinctive ability to find profound meaning in quiet and understated moments, this film is a refreshing contrast to the overabundance of overstuffed movies that lack both authenticity and humanity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/12/25

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

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Kelly Reichardt

Director

John Magaro

Cookie Figowitz

Orion Lee

King Lu

Alia Shawkat

Woman With Dog

Toby Jones

Chief Factor

Lily Gladstone

Chief Factor's Wife

First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Like Hotcakes

1:55

First Cow: Official Clip - I Want Milk

2:20

First Cow: Official Clip - Caught Stealing

1:44

First Cow: Official Clip - Hunting the Thieves

1:48

First Cow: Official Clip - Meeting the Cow

1:54

First Cow: Official Clip - Impressing Chief Factor

2:46

First Cow: Official Clip - Resting Together

1:53

First Cow: Official Clip - Chief Factor's Request

1:34

First Cow: Official Clip - Stealing Milk

2:46

First Cow: Official Clip - Selling Oily Cakes

1:51

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First Cow: Trailer 1

1:38

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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

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