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Documentary

Cow (2022): Ratings & Box Office

Cow (2022) movie poster

Cow is a 2022 documentary directed by Andrea Arnold. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $68,182 worldwide on a $600,000 budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2022. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$68.2K
award nomination
1
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Cow (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
Andrea Arnold
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$600K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Cow About?

The premise of Cow without spoilers.

This moving documentary offers a rare and intimate look into the life of a dairy cow. Directed by Andrea Arnold, the film reveals the often-unseen realities of these animals, highlighting their strength and beauty while exploring their essential role in providing milk for human consumption. Through stunning visuals, the film portrays the daily routines and challenges faced by these remarkable creatures.

Cow Themes & Keywords

· 14 tags
  • portrait
  • animal in title
  • cow
  • dairy farm
  • calf
  • milking cow
  • england
  • birth
  • farm
  • field
  • calving
  • dairy cow
+2 more
  • farmers
  • grazing
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Crew

The Director of Cow

Directed by Andrea Arnold.

From the director

More from Andrea Arnold

More films directed by Andrea Arnold, best-rated first: Fish Tank, Bird, American Honey and Red Road.

Full filmography
Ratings

Cow Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Cow 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 80 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 71/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

71 /100

Cow Echo Score Breakdown

Cow presents a contemplative documentary that balances visual elegance with unflinching observation of dairy farming. Critics commend its lyrical cinematography and emotional resonance, while user feedback highlights the film's stark honesty and occasional difficulty of viewing. The lack of narration amplifies the immersive experience, though some find the pacing demanding. Overall, the work succeeds as a thoughtful, if challenging, exploration of animal life on a farm.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of direction and visual craftsmanship, the film is widely praised for its observational style and rich detail. Critics note the simple yet effective shooting approach and the tangible cinematic quality of the images. Users echo this sentiment, describing the documentary as well‑done and visually striking. The consensus places the artistic execution firmly in the upper tier.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotional depth, the focus on the cow and farm workers generates strong empathy. Reviewers highlight the soulful portrayal of the animals and the heartfelt connection they provoke. Although a few critics mention limited narrative insight, the prevailing view is that the film delivers a resonant, nuanced emotional experience.

  • Story & Flow 65

    Regarding story and pacing, opinions are mixed. The documentary’s unhurried structure is praised for allowing contemplation, yet some critics point to a lack of clear agenda or narrative drive. User comments describe the ending as heartbreaking and impactful, but also note difficulty sustaining engagement. Consequently, the story aspect lands in a moderate range.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    In the sensory realm, the film excels through its sound design and visual cohesion. Critics commend the rich quotidian detail and the atmospheric soundtrack that supports the imagery. Viewers respond positively to the immersive sensory texture, noting that it heightens the documentary’s impact. This consensus supports a high sensory score.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    The rewatch factor is tempered by the documentary’s demanding subject matter. While some reviewers appreciate its lasting impression and emotional weight, many users find the intensity and bleak content discouraging for repeat viewings. Critics acknowledge its value as a first documentary effort but note limited repeat appeal. The overall assessment reflects moderate rewatch potential.

Box office

Cow Box Office & Budget

Cow grossed $68,182 worldwide on a $600,000 budget, 11% of what it cost. $22,504 came from the US and Canada and $45,678 (67%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$68.2K

11% of its budget back

US & Canada
$22.5K
International
$45.7K
Budget
$600K
US & Canada 33% Rest of the world 67%
Awards

Cow Awards & Nominations

Cow earned 1 award nomination, including Best Documentary at the BAFTA 2022.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Cow Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 2 trailers, 1 clip and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Clip
  • Featurette In Andrea Arnold’s COW, Audiences Find Themselves | MUBI Podcast
Details

Cow Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “Vaca (Cow)” and “카우”.

Also known as
  • Vaca (Cow)
  • 카우
  • Kráva
  • 奶牛
  • Αγελάδα
  • İnek
  • Vaca
  • Корова
  • Tehén

Seen Cow?

FAQ

Cow FAQ: Box Office, Awards & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Cow, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Cow?

Cow runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Cow released?

Cow was released on April 8, 2022.

Who directed Cow?

Cow was directed by Andrea Arnold.

More films by Andrea Arnold

How much did Cow make at the box office?

Cow grossed $68,182 worldwide ($22,504 domestic, $45,678 international) on a budget of $600,000.

How is Cow rated?

Cow has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 80 on Metacritic and 64% on TMDB.

Was Cow nominated for any awards?

Cow received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Cow have a post-credit scene?

No. Cow has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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