The First Trailer for A24’s First Cow Shines a Light on Early Americana

After tweeting a GIF of a regal-looking cow crossing a river on a wooden boat, A24 has finally released the trailer for the much-anticipated First Cow, directed by Kelly Reichardt (Certain Women, Old Joy, Wendy and Lucy/), and co-written by Reichardt and Jonathan Raymond.

Set in the Pacific Northwest in the early 19th century, First Cow explores the friendship between a cook (John Magaro) and a Chinese immigrant (Orion Lee) in a community of fur trappers. They get to work on a small business, and end up depending on the furtive involvement of a wealthy landowner’s milking cow, “the first cow in the territory,” according to the trailer—or a “royal cow” that “barely produces a thing.”

The trailer, which is punctuated by great lines such as, “I taste London in this cake,” feels grounded and textured, but also permeated by a sense of wonder at the opportunities in the Oregon Territory. It feels inquisitive, too, illuminating scenes from early Americana.

First Cow premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and will be released in theaters on March 6.

Watch the trailer below.