New Historical Drama The Uprising Explores Faith and Justice

The historical drama The Uprising, directed by Paul Greengrass, depicts the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England. The film follows a fictional farmer known as the Ploughman, played by Andrew Garfield, who leads a rebellion against King Richard II amidst the social upheaval caused by the Black Death, economic inequality, and heavy taxation. The cast also features Cosmo Jarvis as Wat Tyler, Jamie Bell as the radical preacher John Ball, and Thomasin McKenzie as Alyce.

The narrative examines how both the monarchy and the rebels invoke divine authority to justify their actions. While the king is told his rule is divinely sanctioned, the rebels view their struggle as a righteous pursuit of justice. The film portrays the descent of the movement into mob violence and brutality, raising questions about the intersection of human vengeance and biblical justice. Critics have noted the film's intense, graphic depiction of the conflict, with some reviewers describing the cinematic style as chaotic and the content as a sobering reflection on the dangers of equating personal agendas with the will of God.