First Cow is a 2020 American drama film directed by Kelly Reichardt, set in the early 1820s in the Oregon Territory. The story revolves around two outsiders: Otis “Cookie” Figowitz, a Jewish cook traveling with a group of fur trappers, and King-Lu, a Chinese immigrant on the run after committing murder to save a friend. Their paths cross in the wilderness, leading to an unlikely friendship.
Plot Summary
The film opens in present-day Oregon, where a woman discovers two skeletons buried together. This framing device hints at the tragic fate of the main characters. In the past, Cookie is struggling to survive among brutish fur trappers who belittle him for his cooking skills. One night, he encounters King-Lu hiding from Russian fur traders and offers him shelter.
As they bond over shared dreams of a better life, they devise a plan to make money by stealing milk from the first cow brought to the region by Chief Factor, a wealthy Englishman. They use this milk to create delicious baked goods that quickly become popular among local trappers.
However, their success breeds greed and danger. As they continue their nighttime raids for milk, they attract unwanted attention. Eventually caught in their scheme, Cookie and King-Lu find themselves on the run from Chief Factor’s men. The film builds tension as their friendship deepens but also leads them toward inevitable disaster.
In its poignant conclusion, First Cow explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the harsh realities of life on the frontier while leaving viewers with an open-ended reflection on their fates.
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