Andrew Garfield stars as Plowman in the historical drama The Uprising, which debuted in theaters on September 11. While professional reviewers have been divided on the film, early moviegoers have given the production a notably more positive reception on Rotten Tomatoes.
The 13-point gap between Rotten Tomatoes critics and audiences
Early data indicates a clear disconnect between how professional reviewers and general viewers perceive The Uprising. According to the repport, the film currently holds a 64 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, whereas critics have given it a 51 percent rating based on 71 submissions. This discrepancy suggests that the general public is responding more warmly to the narrative than the critical establishment, though both scores remain subject to change as more data arrives.
This split in opinion coincides with a lukewarm financial start for the production. As the report says, The Uprising earned approximately $3.2 million during its opening weekend, a figure that suggests limited early momentum for the historical drama.
Paul Greengrass's selective use of documentary-style camerawork
Director Paul Greengrass, known for his kinetic visual style, took a more measured approach to the 128-minute runtime of The Uprising. Brandon Zachary of ScreenRant, who awarded the film a 9 out of 10, noted that Greengrass avoided constant chaos, instead reserving his signature mobile, documentary-like camera work for specific scenes of genuine disorder. This technique was intended to give the violence and unrest within the story more emotional and visceral weight.
The film's strength, according to the ScreenRant review, lies in its ability to pivot between these chaotic sequences and intimate character studies. The review specifically praised Andrew Garfield's performance as the strongest element of the ensemble, while also highlighting the complexity brought to the rebellion by actors Jamie Bell, Cosmo Jarvis, and Thomasin McKenzie.
Plowman and the Peasants' Revolt of 1381
Rather than a standard legend, The Uprising functions as an origin story set against the backdrop of the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 in medieval England. The plot focuses on the human consequences of rebellion and the tension between authority and resistance. The film's ensemble includes Katherine Waterston as Joan of Kent, who attempts to guide her son, Richard II (played by Woody Norman), toward more just leadership.
The production was previously marketed under the title The Uprising: The Rise of Robin Hood,a framing that explicitly linked the character of Plowman to the legendary outlaw. By grounding the story in the social upheaval of the 14th century, Paul Greengrass attempted to move the Robin Hood mythos into a more grounded, political space.
A 2026 clash with Hugh Jackman's Robin Hood
The release of The Uprising marks a rare cinematic coincidence, as 2026 has seen two major interpretations of the Robin Hood legend hit theaters. Earlier this year, Hugh Jackman appeared in The Death of Robin Hood, creating a direct comparison between two vastly different takes on the same folklore. This saturation of the market may have contributed to the modest $3.2 million opening for Andrew Garfield's project.
This trend of revisiting legendary figures through a gritty,historical lens is a recurring pattern in modern cinema, where studios attempt to "deconstruct" myths to find new relevance. Whether audiences prefer the interpretation led by Andrew Garfield or the one featuring Hugh Jackman remains a point of industry curiosity.
The $3.2 million opening and the question of expansion
Despite the praise from some critics and the higher audience score, several questions remain regarding the long-term viability of The Uprising. It is currently unclear if the producers—including Jason Blum and Gregory Goodman—plan to expand the film's theatrical release to more screens to counteract the slow start. Furthermore, it remains to be seen if the 64 percent audience score will hold as more viewers see the film, or if the critical consnesus will eventually drag the public perception down.
The film's ultimate success will likely depend on whether the performance-driven praise for Andrew Garfield can translate into word-of-mouth growth, or if the movie will remain a niche interest for fans of historical detail and character studies.
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