First Cow

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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 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/16/20 Full Review Audience Member I couldn't wait for it to end. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Greg T Listen, slow does not necessarily mean bad. I can handle slow movies. But I really don't know why this movie was made. I don't get the purpose of it. Is it just supposed to be about a friendship? I really don't think it went very deep about that. Is it supposed to be a critique of capitalism or something? Getting ahead requires a crime of some sort? Eh, spare me. You know from the beginning it ain't gonna end well, so it's just a draggy slog all the way through. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/12/25 Full Review Dave S Director Kelly Reichardt has proven over the course of her career that she understands the fact that there is beauty in simplicity. In First Cow, set in early 19th-century Oregon, two seemingly disparate men (John Magaro, Orion Lee) steal milk from the only cow in the area in order to sweeten the rolls they sell in the local market, thus increasing their profits. It’s a simple story dealing with simple themes, shot in what appears to be natural light with subdued performances, lovely cinematography, patient editing and deliberate pacing. In an era where the American film landscape is filled with frantic remakes, sequels, and prequels, having more filmmakers like Kelly Reichardt would be refreshing. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/25 Full Review Zack D. Great script. Well acted. Nice period piece with a simple, but worthwhile plot. Rated 4/5 Stars •  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 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/12/25 Full Review Read all reviews

First Cow

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