X
  • 2020
  • PG-13
  • A24
  • 2 h 2 m
  • 2020
  • PG-13
  • A24
  • 2 h 2 m

Summary A taciturn loner and skilled cook (John Magaro) has traveled west and joined a group of fur trappers in Oregon Territory, though he only finds true connection with a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) also seeking his fortune; soon the two collaborate on a successful business, although its longevity is reliant upon the clandestine participati...

Directed By: Kelly Reichardt

Written By: Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt

  • 2020
  • PG-13
  • A24
  • 2 h 2 m
  • 2020
  • PG-13
  • A24
  • 2 h 2 m

First Cow

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 44 Critic Reviews
must-see
90
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 131 User Ratings
7.0
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary A taciturn loner and skilled cook (John Magaro) has traveled west and joined a group of fur trappers in Oregon Territory, though he only finds true connection with a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) also seeking his fortune; soon the two collaborate on a successful business, although its longevity is reliant upon the clandestine participati...

Directed By: Kelly Reichardt

Written By: Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 44 Critic Reviews
90
95% Positive
42 Reviews
5% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 44 Critic Reviews
90
95% Positive
42 Reviews
5% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Jul 9, 2021
As ever, Reichardt works in delicate movements as a storyteller. Magaro and Lee’s wonderful chemistry keeps perfectly in step with the filmmaker.
By Tara Brady FULL REVIEW
100
Mar 6, 2020
A picture that’s both tranquil and dazzling, two qualities that should be at odds with one another yet somehow bloom in tandem under Reichardt’s gentle touch.
By Stephanie Zacharek FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 131 User Ratings
7.0
70% Positive
92 Ratings
15% Mixed
19 Ratings
15% Negative
20 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 131 User Ratings
7.0
70% Positive
92 Ratings
15% Mixed
19 Ratings
15% Negative
20 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
10
mstaub87
Nov 21, 2022
great dramatic film!!!!!! on the one hand it gives a lot of emotions and on the other hand slows you a little down, and let you think about what is really important in our world......
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10
Guillermothecow
Jul 22, 2020
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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100
Sep 4, 2019
While not a lot happens in First Cow by the standards of most two-hour narrative films, and some may wish for a less open-ended conclusion, the drama's rough-edged lyricism kept me rapt the entire time.
By David Rooney FULL REVIEW
90
Mar 6, 2020
It manages to be about a great many things—but above all, it’s a movie about two men, two bodies, and the masculine, economic codes of the West. Which, in retrospect, feel so much more moveable and introspective than our usual depictions of the period allow.
By K. Austin Collins FULL REVIEW
88
Mar 6, 2020
Never underestimate what people will do for a beaver hat, a pail of milk, or a warm oily cake.
By Josh Larsen FULL REVIEW
78
Jul 9, 2020
The plot isn’t sturdy enough to fill two hours. An honorable mention, but no best in show.
By Kimberley Jones FULL REVIEW
50
Mar 10, 2020
With Reichardt, you really do feel like you’re actually there. The only problem is that, a lot of the time, you’re really not happy to be there.
By Mick LaSalle FULL REVIEW
See All 44 Critic Reviews
10
cjhandley
Jul 14, 2020
A lot of people attempting to read politics into a movie that isn't **** everything has to be "woke." Sometimes a good story is just a good story.
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5
JEsFsF
Sep 17, 2020
Sometimes you have the patience for a "keenly observed" film. Sometimes it can be infuriating. The setting was interesting and appeared authentic. The two characters were realistic, only one was interesting. Their. dialog. was. glacial. in. speed. The story wasn't remarkable. The storytelling was not bad, just SO slow. Wife really liked it (she is partial to "interesting settings"). I enjoy glimpses into different lifestyles, but different, alone, isn't enough to maintain my interest. Certainly not for two hours.
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5
henryzandt
Jul 11, 2020
The idea behind this film is interesting, only the film itself isn't. Too bad.
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2
Brent_Marchant
Jan 28, 2021
I've seen life insurance infomercials that were more captivating than this interminably tedious slog. Director Kelly Reichardt's latest starts out slow and goes downhill from there, telling a story about 19th Century fortune seekers in Oregon Territory that has nothing interesting to say. I'm at a loss to understand why this offering (or most of the filmmaker's other pictures, for that matter) garner such appeal from critics and diehard fans. While some of the cinematography is indeed gorgeous, much of the film is underlit, and the sound quality is atrocious, making it difficult to understand much of what the characters are mumbling (most of which turns out to be rather inconsequential at that). How this is ending up on so many top 10 lists and receiving so much awards season buzz is totally beyond me.
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2
Htaung
Jul 31, 2020
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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See All 22 User Reviews

Details

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Production Company A24, IAC Films, Film Science
Release Date Mar 6, 2020
Duration 2 h 2 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline A simple western about the origin of the American Dream
Website https://a24films.com/films/first-cow
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Awards

International Online Cinema Awards (INOCA)
• 6 Wins & 23 Nominations
International Cinephile Society Awards
• 2 Wins & 8 Nominations
Seattle Film Critics Society
• 6 Nominations

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