The Uprising Debuts with Mixed Reviews and 55% Rotten Tomatoes Score

Key points

• The Uprising opened in US theaters on September 10, 2026, directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Andrew Garfield as 'Ploughman.'
• The film holds a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 29 reviews, indicating mixed critical reception.
• Focus Features faced backlash for marketing the film with the tagline 'The Rise of Robin Hood,' which confused audiences expecting a strict historical retelling of the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt.
• Critics noted that while Garfield’s performance was stirring, the film suffered from uneven pacing and a 'listless' tone in certain sections.
• The supporting cast includes Jamie Bell, Tom Hollander, Thomasin McKenzie, and Cosmo Jarvis, who plays historical rebel leader Wat Tyler.
• Greengrass began writing the screenplay in 2020, citing the film’s themes as increasingly relevant to modern issues of wealth inequality and populist unrest.

Background

Prior to its release, The Uprising generated significant discussion regarding its marketing pivot. In late August 2026, Focus Features introduced a tagline linking the film to the Robin Hood legend, causing confusion among fans and critics who had been led to believe the film was a straightforward historical drama about the 1381 Peasants’ Revolt. Earlier coverage highlighted Andrew Garfield’s comments on the film’s intent to address billionaire wealth and social inequality, as well as the studio’s subsequent removal of social media posts referencing Robin Hood following audience backlash. The film is part of a broader trend of historical epics that blend fact and fiction to draw parallels with contemporary political climates.

How outlets are covering it

Critical reception was divided, with outlets emphasizing different aspects of the film's execution. The New York Times critic Jeannette Catsoulis awarded the film a 'Critic’s Pick,' praising it as a gritty action drama but noting its grim tone. In contrast, The Hollywood Reporter highlighted director Paul Greengrass’s defense of the marketing strategy, with Greengrass arguing that the Robin Hood reveal was a necessary hook to build audience interest, despite the confusion it caused. IGN and Variety described the film as 'uneven' and 'monotonous,' respectively, criticizing the pacing despite acknowledging Garfield’s strong performance. Screen International called the period drama 'listless,' while IndieWire framed it as an 'unapologetic work of 21st-century populism.' The Rotten Tomatoes score of 55% reflects this split, with some critics finding the historical parallels compelling and others finding the execution flawed.

Why it matters

The Uprising’s reception highlights the ongoing tension between historical accuracy and modern marketing strategies in blockbuster filmmaking. The controversy surrounding the Robin Hood tie-in underscores how studios attempt to leverage familiar IP to boost ticket sales, even when it risks alienating audiences seeking historical authenticity. Furthermore, the film’s themes of class struggle and anti-oligarch sentiment resonate with current political discourse, making its critical and commercial performance a barometer for audience appetite for politically charged historical dramas. The mixed reviews suggest that while the subject matter is timely, the execution must balance historical fidelity with narrative momentum to succeed.

What to watch

The Uprising will continue its theatrical run in the US, with box office performance to be monitored in the coming weeks. Focus Features may adjust its marketing strategy for international releases, potentially clarifying the film’s historical basis to avoid further confusion. Paul Greengrass and Andrew Garfield are expected to participate in promotional events and interviews to address critical feedback. The film’s performance will also influence the reception of other historical epics in the 2026-2027 slate, particularly those blending fact and fiction. Additionally, the controversy may prompt industry discussions about the ethics of marketing historical dramas with fictionalized hooks.