The Uprising: Garfield’s Spiritual Revolt Meets a Confusing Robin Hood Marketing Blitz

Key points

• The Uprising, directed by Paul Greengrass, depicts the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England, focusing on a nameless character called 'Ploughman' played by Andrew Garfield.
• Garfield describes the role as a 'spiritual urgency,' aligning with his history of portraying religious figures, from Jesuits in 'Silence' to Adventists in 'Hacksaw Ridge.'
• US distributor Focus Features briefly marketed the film as 'The Rise of Robin Hood,' causing public confusion, though UK distributors denied any such connection.
• Critics praise the cast, including Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis, but criticize the film for being a 'disjointed slog' and 'exhausting' due to Greengrass's unrelenting handheld camera style.
• The film explores themes of faith, betrayal, and class inequality, with Garfield stating he hopes billionaires will be 'scared' by the depiction of power abuses.

Background

Andrew Garfield has a reputation for gravitating toward characters with deep religious conviction, having spent a year practicing Ignatian spirituality for his role in Martin Scorsese's 2016 film 'Silence.' In the lead-up to The Uprising, Garfield made headlines for stating that billionaires should be 'scared shitless' by the film, a comment that drew criticism from figures like Spencer Pratt who called the rhetoric hypocritical. The film's marketing also became a topic of discussion, with earlier coverage noting the confusion surrounding the Robin Hood tagline.

How outlets are covering it

The National Catholic Reporter emphasizes Garfield's personal spirituality, noting that his interpretation of the 'Ploughman' character aligns with Catholic contemplative traditions and his own pantheist views. In contrast, The Guardian and The Hollywood Reporter focus on the film's execution, with The Guardian calling it a 'muddled historical epic' and The Hollywood Reporter describing it as 'intense but monotonous.' Slate provides a detailed analysis of the marketing controversy, explaining that while the film does not literally depict Robin Hood, the character's green hooded tunic and vigilante actions are meant to evoke the archetype. The outlets also differ on the film's political resonance; Garfield sees it as a wake-up call for the wealthy, while The Guardian argues the film fails to effectively draw parallels to modern authoritarianism.

Why it matters

The Uprising serves as a case study in how historical epics are marketed and received in the current climate. The confusion over the Robin Hood tagline highlights the challenges of promoting period pieces that attempt to bridge historical events with modern cultural icons. Furthermore, the mixed reviews suggest a tension between artistic ambition and audience engagement, as Greengrass's signature style may alienate viewers seeking a more traditional narrative arc. The film's themes of class rage and faith also reflect broader cultural conversations about inequality and the role of art in political discourse.

What to watch

The Uprising is set to open in the UK on October 9 and in Australia on October 22. The film's box office performance will be a key indicator of its success, given the mixed critical reception and the marketing confusion. Garfield is also set to star in Artificial, a tech thriller directed by Luca Guadagnino, which is expected to be a major release in the coming year.