Andrew Garfield faces backlash after telling billionaires to be 'scared' of his new movie

Andrew Garfield’s “The Uprising” Screening Sparks Debate Over Wealth and Art

In a Los Angeles theater this past Thursday, actor Andrew Garfield used a Q‑and‑A session to share his thoughts about the historical drama “The Uprising,” the latest film directed by Paul Greengrass. The movie portrays England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, a period when the Black Death and heavy taxation by King Richard II’s court pushed ordinary citizens to revolt against the ruling class.

Garfield, who will play a fictional “Ploughman” in the film, answered a question from a member of the audience about his hopes for viewers. “Well, first I hope they come and see it, first thing,” he said. “Secondly, I hope it’s galvanizing. I hope there’s some awakening that people feel … that we all feel like our own struggles are being reflected in the struggles of these characters from a distant time and place and that it could be directive.” He added, “And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they’re scared sh‑less.”

The actor’s remarks were taken by some as a critique of the film’s financiers and the broader film industry. Critics pointed out that Garfield has earned significant sums throughout his career, including a reported $5 million for a role as Sam Altman in the sci‑fi thriller “Artificial.” One comment on social media suggested that the film’s production involved “more billionaires than will probably ever watch it,” and another joked that Garfield’s own wealth makes his criticism appear hypocritical.

In response to the discussion, several voices weighed in:

• Rick Davis, an associate pastor in Lynchburg, Virginia, warned that Garfield’s comments made the movie sound “just going to be socialist garbage.”
• Spencer Pratt, a former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, noted the irony of a billionaire‑paying actor critiquing the industry’s wealth.
• Substack writer John William Sherrod quipped that Garfield, a “world‑famous, multi‑millionaire,” was “cosplaying as a put‑upon member of the working class.”
• Tablet Magazine’s Noam Blum highlighted that the film’s production team comprised more billionaires than likely to see the movie.

Despite the backlash, Garfield’s comments were framed as a call for empathy and social awareness. “The goal is to show people that historical struggles still resonate today,” he told the audience. “If anyone who’s made a lot of money watches it, I want them to feel the weight of that responsibility.”

Neither Garfield nor Greengrass has issued a public response to the criticism that followed the screening. The film, which explores the causes and aftermath of the 1381 revolt, is set to hit theaters later this year. Its premiere in Los Angeles drew a mix of fans and commentators, underscoring the continuing conversation about the intersection of art, wealth, and social messaging.