First Cow (2020) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
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.
Rated PG-13 • 2020 • 2h 2m
A cook and a Chinese immigrant form an unlikely partnership in the Oregon Territory in the 1820s, secretly milking a wealthy landowner's prized cow to fund a biscuit business. The PG-13 rating is appropriate — a slow, specific, beautiful film.
Cast
Is First Cow appropriate for kids?
A cook and a Chinese immigrant form an unlikely partnership in the Oregon Territory in the 1820s, secretly milking a wealthy landowner's prized cow to fund a biscuit business. The PG-13 rating is appropriate — a slow, specific, beautiful film. Read more — free account
Content severity in First Cow
What happens in First Cow, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:18 💬 Language 2/10
- 0:42 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in First Cow
There is no sexual content or nudity depicted in the film, and the narrative focuses entirely on the platonic friendship and business partnership between the two leads. The tone remains professional and survival-oriented, fitting for the rugged period setting and the film's PG-13 rating. No suggestive dialogue or romantic subplots are present.
Violence and gore in First Cow
The film contains sequences of moderate tension where characters are chased and threatened with firearms by the landowner's men. While the story concludes with a sense of impending danger and violence, the actual outcome is largely implied rather than shown through graphic imagery. Early in the film, a dead body is briefly seen being discovered, though it is not visually gory.
Language in First Cow
The dialogue includes a handful of mild profanities and period-appropriate insults used by the frontiersmen. While infrequent, the language is used to establish the harsh environment and the frustrations of the working-class characters. These instances fall well within the standards of a typical PG-13 rating.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in First Cow
There is no significant use of illegal substances or display of substance abuse throughout the movie. Some characters may be seen in scenes where alcohol is present in a social or historical context, but it is not a focal point of the story. The characters are primarily focused on the labor and mechanics of their fledgling business.
Mature themes in First Cow
A film about friendship and small-scale capitalism — the dream of enough, not more. The violence of the frontier economy toward those without property. Kelly Reichardt's most accessible and warmest film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is First Cow appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests First Cow is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. A cook and a Chinese immigrant form an unlikely partnership in the Oregon Territory in the 1820s, secretly milking a wealthy landowner's prized cow to fund a biscuit business. The PG-13 rating is appropriate — a slow…
What age rating does First Cow have?
First Cow is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is First Cow about?
A cook and a Chinese immigrant form an unlikely partnership in the Oregon Territory in the 1820s, secretly milking a wealthy landowner's prized cow to fund a biscuit business. The PG-13 rating is appropriate — a slow, specific, beautiful film.
Is there sex or nudity in First Cow?
There is no sexual content or nudity depicted in the film, and the narrative focuses entirely on the platonic friendship and business partnership between the two leads. The tone remains professional and survival-oriented, fitting for the rugged period setting…
How violent is First Cow?
The film contains sequences of moderate tension where characters are chased and threatened with firearms by the landowner's men. While the story concludes with a sense of impending danger and violence, the actual outcome is largely implied rather than shown…
Is the language in First Cow appropriate for kids?
The dialogue includes a handful of mild profanities and period-appropriate insults used by the frontiersmen. While infrequent, the language is used to establish the harsh environment and the frustrations of the working-class characters. These instances fall…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in First Cow?
There is no significant use of illegal substances or display of substance abuse throughout the movie. Some characters may be seen in scenes where alcohol is present in a social or historical context, but it is not a focal point of the story. The characters…
What mature themes appear in First Cow?
A film about friendship and small-scale capitalism — the dream of enough, not more. The violence of the frontier economy toward those without property. Kelly Reichardt's most accessible and warmest film.
How long is First Cow?
First Cow runs 122 minutes, directed by Kelly Reichardt, released in 2019.
Where can I read the full First Cow parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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