The Uprising Movie Review: Andrew Garfield & Jamie Bell Shine

Paul Greengrass brings history to life with The Uprising, a tense historical drama inspired by the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381. The film combines brutal battlefield action, political tension and deeply personal stories to create an experience that feels both grand and intimate. With Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis leading a strong ensemble, the movie spends much of its runtime building a convincing picture of a society pushed to its breaking point.

Set in medieval England, the story begins in a period of severe hardship. The Black Death has devastated the population, leaving communities struggling to recover. At the same time, the ruling authorities are searching for ways to raise money, eventually placing an even greater burden on ordinary people through taxation.

Andrew Garfield plays Ploughman, a farmer who has already suffered an unimaginable loss after the plague takes his wife and children. His confrontation with authority becomes the turning point that sends the story into motion. Garfield gives the character a wounded but determined presence, making his anger and desperation easy to understand.

Jamie Bell is equally striking as John Ball, a priest whose ideas put him at odds with the established church. His performance brings energy and conviction to the rebellion, while Cosmo Jarvis adds another layer through Wat Tyler, a former soldier who understands the realities of war and leadership.

One of the film’s strongest elements is its presentation of violence. Greengrass avoids making the battles feel glamorous. Instead, the camera places viewers directly in the chaos, with muddy landscapes, frantic movement and the devastating consequences of combat. The battlefield scenes create a constant feeling of danger, showing that rebellion comes with a heavy human cost.

Visually, The Uprising presents medieval England as a harsh and unforgiving place. The muted landscapes, dirty roads and worn clothing create an atmosphere far removed from the romantic image often associated with historical England. Greengrass’s handheld camerawork and wide aerial shots add scale while keeping the characters close to the action.

The supporting cast also deserves attention. Jonny Lee Miller, Tom Hollander, Katherine Waterston and Dónal Finn contribute strong performances that make the political world surrounding the rebellion feel believable. The movie benefits from having several characters with competing interests rather than presenting the conflict as a simple battle between good and evil.

However, the film loses some of its impact during its final stretch. The Robin Hood connection introduced toward the end feels unnecessary when compared with the strength of the main historical narrative. The Peasants’ Revolt already provides enough drama, conflict and emotional weight without needing an additional legendary figure to extend the story.

This choice may leave some viewers wondering why such a fascinating historical event needed to be connected to a familiar fictional tradition. It also creates a noticeable contrast with the grounded tone established throughout most of the movie.

Despite that issue, The Uprising remains an engaging historical drama. Its strongest moments come from the characters, the atmosphere and the realistic depiction of people fighting against circumstances that appear almost impossible to overcome. Andrew Garfield and Jamie Bell provide the emotional centre, while Greengrass’s direction keeps the film moving with urgency.