Andrew Garfield stars in Paul Greengrass’s historical epic The Uprising

The new historical epic “The Uprising,” directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield, dramatizes the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt in England. The film follows an unnamed farmer, known as the ‘Ploughman,’ as commoners face heavy taxation and the aftermath of the Black Death while marching on London.

Critical reception of the film is divided, particularly regarding Greengrass’s signature handheld, documentary-style cinematography. While some reviewers praise the kinetic direction for underscoring moments of chaos, others criticize the aesthetic as being at odds with the medieval setting, describing it as a “disjointed slog” or a “seasick viewing experience.”

Beyond the technical debate, the film explores themes of social unrest, capitalism, and the struggle for dignity among the peasantry. Some critics noted a controversial creative choice in the final act that attempts to link the historical narrative to the mythos of Robin Hood.