First Cow is the “magnificent” Toby Jones drama to watch at home tonight

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Toby Jones is known for fantastic performances in a variety of roles, from the creepy atmosphere of Berberian Sound Studio to the true story told in Mr Bates vs The Post Office. If you’re in the mood to see him play a villain, we recommend one of his best-reviewed movies on Rotten Tomatoes – it’s a perfect choice for your next movie night!

I absolutely loved First Cow! It came out in 2020, but it was getting buzz at film festivals the year before. It’s a really beautiful and moving story set way back in 1820s Oregon, about two guys who become friends and try to start a business together. It’s all about their spirit and how they work together.

The film, based on Jonathan Raymond’s 2004 novel The Half-Life and co-written with Kelly Reichardt, centers on Cookie (John Magaro), a gentle chef who cooks for a team of fur trappers. The story follows his developing friendship with Lu (Orion Lee), a Chinese immigrant.

Cookie, a talented baker, and Lu, a creative inventor, team up to start a business making oily cakes. Their plan involves secretly taking milk from the area’s only cow, but they quickly discover the cow belongs to Jones, a powerful and intimidating man – someone you definitely don’t want to cross.

With a fantastic 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, you can stream First Cow right now! Here’s where to find it and enjoy the film (or watch it again).

Who stars in First Cow?

The film features John Magaro as Otis ‘Cookie’ Figowitz, Orion Lee as King-Lu, and Toby Jones as Chief Factor. Lily Gladstone plays Chief Factor’s wife, while Alia Shawkat appears as Woman with Dog and René Auberjonois as Man with Raven. Ewen Bremner portrays Lloyd, with Scott Shepherd as Captain, and Gary Farmer as Totillicum. Dylan Smith plays Jack, Stephen Malkmus is the Fiddler, Mitchell Saddleback is Chief Factor’s Servant, Jared Kasowski is Thomas, and Todd A. Robinson plays Fort Trapper.

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What did critics say about First Cow?

After a successful premiere at the 2019 Telluride Film Festival, First Cow received widespread critical acclaim and appeared on numerous “best of 2020” film lists, including top ten lists from Sight & Sound and the National Board of Review.

Reviewers have called Reichardt’s film a stark contrast to traditional Westerns, praising its empathetic approach and realistic, yet haunting, portrayal of the era. According to iNews.co.uk and the London Evening Standard, the film is both beautifully shot and powerfully authentic.

Critics at The Independent called First Cow a beautifully gentle and impressive film (according to Crooked Marquee), and a groundbreaking, insightful look at early America that sets a new bar for historical movies. Time Out highlighted the excellent, yet subtle, performances from the lead actors, Magaro and Lee.

Many reviewers encouraged viewers to be patient with the film’s deliberate speed, with The AV Club pointing out that its gentle approach doesn’t mean it lacks depth.

Entertainment Weekly pointed out that the film’s slow pace might initially frustrate some viewers, but those who stick with it will find a uniquely captivating experience. They described it as a strangely funny and touching story that unfolds at a realistic, natural rhythm.

Where can I watch First Cow?

In the UK, you can watch First Cow on Mubi. Mubi is available as an add-on channel through Amazon Prime, and they offer a seven-day free trial, meaning you might be able to watch the film without paying.

Mubi also has its own streaming platform you can sign up to separately if you’d prefer.

Movie fans based in the US can watch First Cow for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

Other Toby Jones movies you can stream right now

For fans of more classic action, Toby Jones plays the supervillain Arnim Zola in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He appears in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), both of which you can watch on Disney+.

Also available is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, where Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Basil Shaw alongside Harrison Ford as Indy.

You can currently watch Jones as Mr. Eversoll in Jurassic World: The Fallen Kingdom on streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Sky, Now Cinema (in the UK), and YouTube TV (in the US).

You can watch First Cow on Mubi in the UK and The Roku Channel in the US. It’s also available to rent or buy from various online stores.

The latest issue of Living Legends, a vibrant, full-colour 100-page tribute to Sir David Attenborough, is now available! You can find it at newsstands or purchase it online.

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2026-04-29 16:20