The Uprising (2026)
Overview
Directed by Paul Greengrass, The Uprising (2026) is a gritty historical drama set in 14th-century England during the Peasants' Revolt of 1381. The film stars Andrew Garfield as the "Ploughman," alongside Jamie Bell (as John Ball), Cosmo Jarvis (as Wat Tyler), and Woody Norman (as the young King Richard II).
Plot Summary
The Spark of Rebellion:Following the devastating Black Death, which killed nearly half of England's population, royal advisers to the inexperienced, teenage King Richard II impose crippling new taxes to replenish the royal treasury.
Grief-stricken by the loss of his family to the plague, a humble farmer known as the Ploughman reaches a breaking point when abusive tax collectors arrive in his village. After standing up to protect local villagers, he violently clashes with the royal guards. The March on London:
In response, angry commoners unite around the Ploughman, the radical priest John Ball, and the military veteran Wat Tyler. The localized resistance quickly grows into a sprawling rebel army of over 10,000 peasants armed with axes, scythes, and makeshift weapons. They march across the countryside toward London to demand an end to tyranny, freedom from serfdom, and fair taxes directly from the young king. Chaos and Climax:As the mob breaches the city, the uprising descends into bloody chaos.
Despite trying to keep the movement righteous, the Ploughman watches in horror as mob violence takes over. Terrified, King Richard II meets with the rebels and pretends to grant their demands—agreeing to free the peasants and surrender his corrupt advisers, who are brutally executed in the streets. Aftermath:
Although the monarchy backtracks and retaliates once the crowds disperse, the Ploughman refuses to submit. Choosing an outlaw life of permanent defiance over royal rule, his resistance leaves an indelible mark on the crown, serving as a timeless symbol of popular revolt against tyranny.
