‘The Uprising’ Gets a Mixed Welcome on CinemaScore as Andrew Garfield’s Historical Drama Divides Audiences

Andrew Garfield’s latest movie is getting a much more divided response than its star and director may have hoped. The Uprising, a new historical drama from Paul Greengrass, has arrived in theaters with a serious story, a rough visual style, and plenty of modern ideas packed into its medieval setting. While some critics have praised its action and Garfield’s performance, the overall reaction has been far from a major success.

The first big sign of the movie’s reception came from CinemaScore. According to the latest audience results, The Uprising earned a B- from people who watched it during opening weekend. That is not a terrible grade, but it is also not the kind of result normally expected from a movie being positioned as a major fall release. The score suggests that the film connected with some viewers while leaving others unsure about its long and heavy approach.

Critics have been just as split. The Uprising currently has a 56 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, putting it only slightly ahead of Greengrass’ 2016 movie Jason Bourne, which sits at 55 percent. That is a surprising result for a filmmaker who has earned strong reviews for movies such as Captain Phillips and The Bourne Ultimatum. The new film clearly has supporters, but it has not received the kind of praise that could turn it into an obvious awards-season favorite.

The story takes audiences back to England in 1381, during the Peasants’ Revolt. Garfield plays Ploughman, a farmer who has already suffered a major personal loss after his family dies during the plague. His life changes again when the people around him face new taxes and more pressure from the ruling class. What begins as frustration eventually grows into a much larger rebellion against King Richard II and the people who serve him.

The cast also includes Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane, Tom Hollander, Cosmo Jarvis, Thomasin McKenzie, Jonny Lee Miller, and Katherine Waterston. Together, they help build a much bigger picture of a society divided by money and power. The story also connects to the old legends surrounding Robin Hood, with the real events of the 1381 revolt often linked to some of the ideas that later became part of the famous folklore.

Greengrass wrote and directed the movie, and his filmmaking style is one of the biggest talking points in the reviews. He is known for using handheld cameras, quick editing, and a rough visual approach to make major events feel immediate. That style works especially well during the film’s battle scenes, where the chaos of medieval fighting can feel close and unpredictable.

However, some critics believe the same style becomes harder to watch during quieter scenes. The shaky camera work that creates tension during the action can also make conversations feel less comfortable and sometimes distracting. That has become one of the main complaints about the movie, especially for viewers who wanted more time with the characters.

The film’s modern message has also created debate. Greengrass clearly wants the story of ordinary people fighting against an unfair system to connect with problems audiences recognize today. During the movie’s press tour, Garfield made that connection even clearer. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor said he hoped any billionaires who watch the movie would come away genuinely shaken by what they see.

That kind of political message will not work for everyone. Some viewers may appreciate the connection between the past and the present, while others may feel that the movie pushes the comparison too hard. The result is a historical drama that is not simply telling an old story but also asking audiences to think about modern inequality.

Garfield himself has received a more positive response than the movie as a whole. His performance as Ploughman fits the kind of emotional and intense roles he has taken on in recent years. He gives the character a strong sense of grief and determination, helping carry the story even when the pacing becomes slow.

For now, The Uprising sits in an unusual position. It has enough support to avoid being called a complete failure, but the B- CinemaScore and 56 percent Rotten Tomatoes score show that it has not become the crowd-pleasing historical epic some may have expected. The movie’s future at the box office will likely depend on whether its serious themes and intense style find a larger audience in the weeks ahead.

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