The Uprising (2026): Out in Theaters, Cast & Plot Guide

The Uprising (2026): Out Now in Theaters and Worth Your Attention

The Uprising came out in theaters on September 10, 2026, and it's the kind of historical epic that doesn't show up often anymore. Paul Greengrass directs a 128-minute story about the 14th-century peasant revolt in England, with Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis leading a stacked cast. Its tagline? "Rise or die."

Audiences seem to be responding. The film currently holds a 7.9/10 rating on TMDB, which is strong for a History, Drama and Action blend.

So what's it actually about, who plays whom, and how do you watch it? Let me break it down. I'll cover the plot, the full cast, Greengrass's approach, and the questions people keep asking, including the one about Robin Hood.

Here are the key points at a glance:

• The Uprising opened in theaters on September 10, 2026, and runs 128 minutes.
• Paul Greengrass directs, with Andrew Garfield, Jamie Bell and Cosmo Jarvis leading the cast.
• The story is set in 14th-century England and draws on the 1381 Peasants' Revolt.
• It holds a 7.9/10 rating on TMDB.
• No streaming service is confirmed yet, so the big screen is the place to see it.

What Is The Uprising About? The Plot Explained

The Uprising follows a humble peasant who ignites a rebellion in 14th-century England. War and plague have devastated the country, and this ordinary man ends up uniting an army of commoners against the King's might. The fight is for justice and survival, nothing less (see its Wikipedia page).

That's the official synopsis, and it's refreshingly simple. No chosen-one nonsense. No dragons. Just people pushed past the point of endurance.

Honestly, that simplicity is the appeal. A story about commoners marching on a king doesn't need decoration, because the stakes are already enormous. When hunger, grief and anger have already done the work, the drama comes from watching ordinary people decide they've had enough, and from seeing how the powerful respond when the crowd stops asking politely.

Is The Uprising based on a true story?

Yes, the setting points to a real moment in English history. The film is a History drama set in the 14th century, and its cast includes figures like Wat Tyler, John Ball, Archbishop Sudbury and Mayor Walworth. Those are names from the actual 1381 Peasants' Revolt. King Richard II, played by Woody Norman, sits at the center of the political crisis.

One thing worth saying plainly: the lead role is credited simply as "Ploughman," played by Andrew Garfield. That tells me the film wants an everyman at its heart, a stand-in for the thousands of nameless people who actually carried the revolt. I like that choice. History is usually told through kings, and this one starts with the guy holding the plough.

Who Is in the Cast of The Uprising?

The cast of The Uprising is led by Andrew Garfield as Ploughman, alongside Jamie Bell, Cosmo Jarvis, Tom Hollander and Thomasin McKenzie. It's a serious ensemble, and every name below is confirmed in the film's credits (see its IMDb page).

Actor	Role
Andrew Garfield	Ploughman
Jamie Bell	John Ball
Cosmo Jarvis	Wat Tyler
Woody Norman	King Richard II
Tom Hollander	Treasurer Hales
Stephen Dillane	Archbishop Sudbury
Jonny Lee Miller	Mayor Walworth
Thomasin McKenzie	Alyce

Here's what stands out to me. Cosmo Jarvis as Wat Tyler is the casting I'm most curious about, because Tyler is the rebellion's most famous face and Jarvis has a rugged, unpredictable screen presence. Pairing him with Jamie Bell as John Ball also gives the rebel side two very different energies, one volatile and one more preacherly.

The supporting players matter

Tom Hollander as Treasurer Hales is the kind of casting that signals where the film's villains live. Hollander is brilliant at playing officials who smile while they squeeze you. Stephen Dillane and Jonny Lee Miller round out the establishment side as Archbishop Sudbury and Mayor Walworth.

And then there's Woody Norman as the young King Richard II. A teenage king facing an armed uprising is a fascinating dynamic. I'd say that's the performance that could surprise people. Thomasin McKenzie, as Alyce, also gives the story a human anchor away from the councils and the battlefield.

Why Paul Greengrass Is the Right Director for This

Paul Greengrass is a smart fit because his career is built on putting you inside chaotic, real-world events. He's the filmmaker behind the gripping, handheld immediacy people associate with his best-known work. A mass uprising with crowds, violence and political panic is exactly his territory.

I'd describe his style as documentary urgency applied to drama. The camera feels like it's in the crowd, not above it.

Medieval films often suffer from a clean, museum-quality look. Everything's polished, everyone's teeth are suspiciously good. Greengrass tends to resist that. If you liked the raw, in-the-thick-of-it energy of his earlier historical and real-event dramas, this is the one I'd point you to.

Does it matter that the story runs 128 minutes? I think so. That's tight for an epic. It suggests a film built to move rather than sprawl, which fits both the director and the subject.

Is The Uprising Worth Watching? My Take

Yes, I think The Uprising is worth watching, especially if you like grounded historical drama with real momentum. The 7.9/10 TMDB rating backs that up, and the cast alone is a strong reason to buy a ticket.

But let me be honest about who it's for. If you want lighthearted adventure, this isn't it. The premise is war, plague and a fight for survival. Expect weight.

Who will enjoy it most

Picking something for a serious movie night? This fits. If you're the kind of viewer who enjoys political tension, ensemble acting and period detail, you'll likely get a lot out of it. History fans, especially anyone curious about the 1381 revolt, should treat it as a must-see. It also works well as a conversation starter, since a story about ordinary people confronting power tends to leave you debating the ending on the drive home.

Who might want to skip it

If heavy, violent period pieces aren't your thing, you may find it a grind. And if you're hoping for a swashbuckling romp, you'll be disappointed. That's not a flaw. It's just a different movie than the marketing might suggest to casual viewers.

Where Can I Watch The Uprising?

Now, The Uprising is in theaters, where it opened on September 10, 2026. No subscription streaming service is confirmed to carry it, so don't assume it's on any particular platform.

Here's the practical path. Check the official site for showtimes, then look at your digital store for rental or purchase options once the home release window opens. JustWatch is the easiest way to see current availability, and it updates as services add titles.

One tip that generic coverage tends to miss: for a film built on crowd scenes and sound, the theater experience is genuinely different. A big screen and big audio suit Greengrass's style. If you can catch it that way, I'd recommend it.

And pricing? I won't guess. Ticket and rental prices vary by region and change often, so check your local theater or digital store for the current number.

Related: Primetime

Final Thoughts: Should You See The Uprising?

My verdict: The Uprising is one of the stronger historical dramas of 2026, and Greengrass's style suits this story better than almost any other director's would. Its 7.9/10 rating won't be the last word, but it's a good sign.

If the premise grabs you, go see it. Check showtimes at your local theater or the official site, and keep an eye on your digital store for the home release. Already seen it? Tell me which performance stuck with you.