The Uprising: Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
England in the 1300s is a country under siege from every direction. Conflict drains its people, and plague sweeps through towns and fields alike. For the farmers and labourers at the bottom of medieval society, life has become a daily struggle simply to stay alive, while power and wealth remain firmly in the hands of the crown and its officials.
The Uprising follows ordinary working people who decide they have nothing left to lose. At its centre is a ploughman whose quiet defiance becomes a spark for something much larger. As anger spreads from village to village, commoners begin to band together, and figures such as the preacher John Ball and the rebel Wat Tyler emerge from the crowd. Their goal is to challenge the authority of the young King Richard II and the men who govern in his name.
Inspired by real events, the film frames the conflict as a battle for fairness and for survival. Its tagline sums up the stakes bluntly: “Rise or die.”

What Makes The Uprising Notable
Writer-director Paul Greengrass both wrote and directed the film, bringing a true story of medieval rebellion to the screen as a blend of action, drama and history.
The cast is one of the film’s biggest draws:
- Andrew Garfield as the Ploughman
- Jamie Bell as John Ball
- Cosmo Jarvis as Wat Tyler
- Woody Norman as King Richard II
- Thomasin McKenzie as Alyce
- Stephen Dillane as Archbishop Sudbury
- Tom Hollander as Treasurer Hales
- Jonny Lee Miller as Mayor Walworth
- Katherine Waterston as the Countess
- Stanley Townsend as Chief Justice Bealknap
Origin and production: This English-language film is a co-production between the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. Its production companies are Supernix, Thank You Pictures, Electric Shadow Company, FilmNation Entertainment and Blumhouse Atomic Monster.
Audience reception: For readers looking for a review snapshot, the film holds an average audience score of about 7.9/10 on TMDB, based on 349 votes at the time of writing.
Runtime and rating: The film runs 128 minutes and is rated R in the US.
Who Will Enjoy The Uprising
- Fans of large-scale historical epics set in medieval Europe
- Viewers who enjoy stories about rebellion, class conflict and ordinary people standing up to power
- Admirers of Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell and the film’s wider ensemble cast
- Anyone curious about real-life uprisings in 14th-century England
- Adult audiences comfortable with R-rated action and drama
Release Date & Where to Watch The Uprising
Release dates in the US:
- Premiere: 2 September 2026
- Theatrical release: 10 September 2026, which is also the worldwide release date
- Digital release: 29 September 2026
- Physical release (disc): 3 November 2026
Where to watch in the US: The Uprising is available to rent or buy digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. It is not currently listed on a subscription streaming service in the US. An official trailer is also available.
Trailer
Cast
Andrew Garfieldas Ploughman
Jamie Bellas John BallSee credits →
Stephen Dillaneas Archbishop Sudbury
Woody Normanas King Richard II
Tom Hollanderas Treasurer Hales
Cosmo Jarvisas Wat Tyler
Thomasin McKenzieas Alyce
Jonny Lee Milleras Mayor Walworth
Photo: TMDB
FAQ
- When was The Uprising released?
- The Uprising premiered on 2 September 2026 and opened in US cinemas on 10 September 2026. It arrived digitally on 29 September 2026, and a physical disc release is scheduled for 3 November 2026.
- Where can I watch The Uprising in the US?
- You can rent or buy The Uprising digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. It is not currently listed on a subscription streaming service.
- Who is in the cast of The Uprising?
- Andrew Garfield plays the Ploughman. He is joined by Jamie Bell as John Ball, Cosmo Jarvis as Wat Tyler, Woody Norman as King Richard II, Thomasin McKenzie, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Jonny Lee Miller, Katherine Waterston and Stanley Townsend.
- Is The Uprising based on a true story?
- Yes. The film is inspired by real events: a peasant revolt in 14th-century England, set against a backdrop of war and plague.
- How long is The Uprising and what is it rated?
- The Uprising runs 128 minutes and is rated R in the United States.

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