First Cow
Seen it?2020 | 122 min | Drama, History
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
Critics loved it (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office loss and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for history buffs. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 2 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG-13. Probably too much for younger kids.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 89 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Nominated for 2 Critics' Choice Awards, 1 Berlin award and 3 Independent Spirit Awards.
- Box office & staying powerWeak
$101K worldwide on a $2 million budget
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 95K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Kelly Reichardt
- John MagaroCookie
- Orion LeeKing-Lu
- Toby JonesChief Factor
- Ewen BremnerLloyd
- Scott ShepherdCaptain
- Gary FarmerTotillicum
- Lily GladstoneChief Factor’s Wife
- Alia ShawkatWoman with Dog
- Dylan SmithTrapper Jack
- Ryan FindleyTrapper Dame