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Trailer

First Cow

2020Movie2 h 2 minPG-13

DramaWestern
80
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.1Metacritic907.0Rotten Tomatoes95%65%

A slow-burning, wholesome drama movie about history and class and money, with standout direction and performances.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want fast pacing

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Not for scares, laughs or adrenaline.

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Story

A simple western about the origin of the American Dream.

In the 1820s, a taciturn loner and skilled cook travels west to Oregon Territory, where he meets a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune. Soon the two team up on a dangerous scheme to steal milk from the wealthy landowner’s prized Jersey cow—the first, and only, in the territory.

Feels like

  • Historical Drama
  • Friendship
  • Pacific Northwest
  • 1820s
  • Class Conflict
  • Quiet & Reflective
  • Character-Driven
  • Melancholy
  • Understated
  • Period Piece

Cast

21 of 21

Crew

Directed by
Kelly Reichardt
Written by
Kelly Reichardt, Jonathan Raymond
Produced by
Vincent Savino, Neil Kopp, Anish Savjani
Music by
William Tyler

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

March 6, 2020 · 2 h 2 min · PG-13

Released
March 6, 2020
Runtime
2 h 2 min
Age rating
PG-13
Genres
Drama, Western
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$2 million
Box office
$101,068
Available in
111 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Downer Ending, Toxic Friend Influence, Dawn of the Wild West +9

  • Downer Ending
  • Toxic Friend Influence
  • Dawn of the Wild West
  • Food Porn
  • Together in Death
  • Compressed Adaptation
  • Sweet Baker
  • True Companions
  • The American Dream
  • Friend to All Living Things
  • Nice Guy
  • Ambiguously Gay

12 of 16 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream First Cow?"

Questions about First Cow

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream First Cow?

JustWatch TV FreeJustWatch TV+

In the United States, First Cow streams on JustWatch TV+, and it is free with ads on JustWatch TV Free. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 106 other countries.

Is First Cow worth watching?

80
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80 (IMDb 7.1, Rotten Tomatoes 95%, and Metacritic 90). Critics rate it higher (93 out of 100) than audiences (69).

Is First Cow okay for kids?

PG-13

Not for young kids: it's rated PG-13 in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Is First Cow plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is First Cow good for date night?

and 3 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightIntergenerational

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.