The Uprising: Andrew Garfield Leads a Medieval Rebellion

Andrew Garfield stars in Paul Greengrass’ new historical drama about the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, a rebellion that helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood.

Medieval rebellions are hardly new territory for cinema, but The Uprising approaches one of England’s most famous revolts with the intensity of a modern action film. Directed by Paul Greengrass, the filmmaker behind Captain Phillips and United 93, the movie takes audiences back to England in 1381, when ordinary people rose against royal authority.

At the centre of the story is Andrew Garfield, who plays an unnamed farmer known simply as the Ploughman. What begins as a personal struggle gradually pulls him into a much larger rebellion against the rule of King Richard II.

What Is The Uprising About?

The Uprising is set during the real Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, a major uprising in medieval England. The rebellion brought together farmers, labourers and other common people who opposed heavy taxation and the treatment of ordinary citizens by those in power.

The film follows the Ploughman as he becomes involved with the growing resistance. Along the way, he crosses paths with figures connected to the historical rebellion, including the radical priest John Ball and rebel leader Wat Tyler.

Rather than presenting the period as a polished medieval fantasy, Greengrass gives the story a much dirtier and more physical feel. Mud, violence, crowded battles and the desperation of ordinary people are central to the film’s atmosphere.

Andrew Garfield Leads the Cast

Andrew Garfield takes on a very different role from many of his recent performances. His character is not introduced as a traditional hero or a great military leader. He is an ordinary man who is gradually pushed towards rebellion.

The cast also features Jamie Bell as John Ball, Cosmo Jarvis as Wat Tyler, Stephen Dillane as Archbishop Sudbury and Tom Hollander as Treasurer Hales.

Other notable cast members include Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, Woody Norman and Katherine Waterston.

The Real History Behind the Movie

The Peasants’ Revolt began in 1381 during the reign of the young King Richard II. Among the issues that fuelled the uprising was the unpopular poll tax, which placed a heavy burden on ordinary people.

The rebellion spread rapidly, with thousands of people marching towards London. Wat Tyler became one of its most recognisable leaders, while John Ball was known for preaching ideas about equality and challenging the established social order.

The historical revolt was eventually suppressed, but its place in English history has remained significant. The Uprising uses that real event as the foundation for a much more cinematic story.

Is The Uprising a Robin Hood Movie?

This is where things get particularly interesting.

The film has been marketed in connection with the legend of Robin Hood, but it is not a straightforward retelling of the famous outlaw’s story. Instead, it uses the historical rebellion as a possible bridge between real events and the Robin Hood mythology.

That creative choice has also divided critics. Some have appreciated the connection between history and legend, while others have felt that the Robin Hood angle weakens what could have been a more focused historical drama.

Watch The Official Trailer

What Are Critics Saying?

The early response to The Uprising has been mixed. Critics have generally recognised the film’s energetic action sequences and strong supporting performances, while opinions differ on Greengrass’ handheld visual style and the decision to connect the story so directly with Robin Hood.

Andrew Garfield and Jamie Bell have received particular attention for their performances, while some reviews have argued that the film becomes less convincing when it moves away from the historical rebellion and towards its more mythological ending.

That makes The Uprising an interesting film to discuss even before getting into the question of whether it completely succeeds as a historical epic.

When Can You Watch The Uprising?

The Uprising opened in U.S. theaters on September 11, 2026. The film is being released theatrically, with international release dates varying by territory.

It has a reported runtime of approximately 127 minutes and carries an R rating in the United States for violence and bloody imagery.

For audiences looking for a new historical action film rather than another conventional superhero or franchise release, The Uprising offers something considerably different.

Cinecelluloid Take

The Uprising has an intriguing idea at its centre: take one of England’s most important medieval rebellions and turn it into a gritty, modern-feeling action drama.

The combination of Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell and Paul Greengrass is certainly enough to make the film worth a look. The real Peasants’ Revolt also gives the story a historical foundation that makes it more interesting than a fictional medieval battle movie.

Whether the Robin Hood connection ultimately strengthens the story or takes it in the wrong direction is likely to remain the biggest talking point. But for anyone interested in historical dramas, medieval rebellions or Andrew Garfield’s latest performance, The Uprising deserves a place on the weekend watchlist.