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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Uprising’ on Netflix, A Large-Scale Korean Historical Epic With A Tale Of Friendship At Its Center

Where to stream:.

Uprising (2024)
Chan-wook Park

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In Netflix’s Uprising , directed by Kim Sang-man and produced/co-written by Park Chan-wook ( Oldboy , Decision to Leave ), two guys whose bond extends beyond the structures of rank and class are united and driven apart amid the unrest of 16th century Korea. The big and bloody warfare setpieces in Uprising go toe-to-toe with the personal battle between nobleman Yi Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min) and commoner Cheon Yeong (Gang Dong-won), which plays out across a period of years. And as Japan’s invasion of Korea introduces another formidable foe in Genshin Kikkawa (Jung Sung-il), Jong-ryeo and Cheon Yeong’s struggle mirrors the peasant class’s perennial wish for simple dignity. Uprising also stars Cha Seung-won, Kim Shin-rok, and Jin Seon-kyu.

UPRISING : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: During the middle period of the 500-year Joseon Dynasty, it was unheard of for anyone to step out of line. The nobles were the nobles, the commoners were the commoners, and the enslaved were the enslaved – if a woman was pregnant while a slave, then her fetus became a slave, too – and the result of any challenges to this system was a round of fresh beheadings. Despite his role as the designated whip-ee for untouchable young royal Jong-ryeo (Park), Cheon Yeong (Gag) remains defiant in the face of these cruelties. But while he is low-born, Cheon Yeong nevertheless bonds with Jong-ryeo as they train in martial arts and swordsmanship.

It’s not a friendship endorsed by the aristocracy. But before it can become a bigger issue, Japan’s invasion of Korea plunges the king and his court into disarray. War breaks out everywhere, and an escaped Cheon Yeong becomes a leader of a ragtag civilian militia made up of common folk, butchers, and town square jesters. With the sword and clothing of his secret pal Jong-ryeo, Cheon Yeong becomes a kind of folk hero for the people. “The Blue-Robed God” even fights fearsome Japanese commander Genshin (Jung) to a swordfight stalemate.

Uprising shuttles between Jong-ryeo and Cheon Yeong as children and young men, showing us their burgeoning friendship on one side and the separation and confusion of wartime on the other. As the palace is destroyed, and the Japanese forces mostly withdraw, nobleman Jong-ryeo must side with the cruel and arrogant Joseon king (Cha), who’d rather punish his subjects for not properly respecting his position, even as they eat the dead to survive. Once Cheon Yeong foments a revolt from his base in the countryside, it’s only a matter of time until their bond is tested directly. They always treated each other like equals, even though it wasn’t allowed. But after all the wartime destruction and continuing rounds of heads getting removed from shoulders, what remains for Jong-ryeo and Cheon Yeong is the only question that matters. Are we still friends?

What Movies Will It Remind You Of? In The Fortress , also on Netflix, Joseon must defend itself against 17th century Qing invaders. And for swashbuckling historical fiction on the high seas with more than a touch of humor, look no further than the rope-swinging and swords-on-the-deck clashing of The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure .

Performance Worth Watching: Kim Shin-rok ( Hellbound ) is fantastic in Uprising as the brave commoner warrior Beom-dong. Beom-dong will tell anybody who needs to know just how it is. And if they don’t listen, well, then the six-foot-long pyeongon flail she wields will do the talking for her.

Memorable Dialogue: It’s our hope that when Park Jeong-min read his script for Uprising , he agreed on the spot to play courageous royal Yi Jeong-ryeo, because how could anyone starring in a battle sequence not want to say a line so absolutely cold-blooded as this:

“You will never leave here alive. We will chew your flesh, skin you, and sleep in your leather.”

Sex and Skin: None. It’s hard to seek love or romance when you’re too busy either starving to death, leading a militia for seven years followed by a DIY revolt, or being the king of a country so lost in the detachment of your position that you become the real enemy of your subjects.

Our Take: The final tally for double-crosses and even a few triple-crosses in Uprising is roughly equal to the impressive amount of heads that are summarily removed from bodies throughout this rangy historical epic. As its timeline bounces back and forth, following the friendship between Jeong-ryeo and Cheon Yeong as it bears fruit, falls on hard times, and finds its way back to stasis, Uprising can lose itself in trying to establish everything happening around its central twosome. But the battles are stirring – especially with the clash of 16th-century warfighting technology, as matchlock muskets meet long swords and bows and arrows and a host of improvised weapons – and the scenery, costume design, and terrific soundtrack provide structural support for its historical epic qualities.

By the time the film arrives at a fog-laced fight sequence pitting most of its principles against each other – but also in defense of each other; like we said, there’s lots of subterfuge happening – Uprising has had its draggy moments, but those are counteracted especially by the personal story of Jeong-ryeo and Cheon Yeong. This film reaches, and then it reaches again. It spreads itself out across the landscape, incorporating invading armies and a hidden horde of treasure and a Joseon king who’s somehow the most despicable person in war full of unspeakable tragedy. But it always finds its way back to two guys whose friendship could not be recognized in a land with such a rigid class structure.

Our Call: Stream It! Uprising elevates its historical epic game with grand scale battles, courtly deceit, and a satisfyingly roaring soundtrack. But it’s with the forbidden but never-say-die friendship at its center where it remains its most compelling.

Johnny Loftus ( @glennganges ) is an independent writer and editor living at large in Chicagoland. His work has appeared in The Village Voice, All Music Guide, Pitchfork Media, and Nicki Swift.

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Home » Movies » Movie Reviews

‘Uprising’ Review – An Epic South Korean Historical Drama

Uprising is the kind of historical military film that you have to pay attention to. Cue the costume designs, which we already expect to be brilliant in this industry (as it’s South Korean, after all), and the rich context of the Joseon Dynasty, and we have a rousing film in our hands. Not only was I taken aback by this feature, which starred Gang Dong-won and Park Jeong-min, but I also loved it. It is destined to be epic from the first minute it opens.

The story follows two friends who grew up together in the Joseon Dynasty. One was a master, and the other was a slave, but post-war, they became enemies on opposite sides after a Japanese invasion changed the entire country’s makeup. The innocence of childhood and the hardships of adulthood combine with ease, providing an emotional string to hold on to.

Uprising is quickly smart with the subject matter, especially with the historical context, which is well woven into the story. The film plays a role in the class system between lowmen, slaves, commoners, and noblemen. It’s a crux, if anything. Each character has a role in society, but the desire for friendship threads through as the story’s core.

(There’s also this knowing reality that the Joseon Dynasty and its social construct is unchangeable: a harsh reality for the characters).

For the most part, you yearn for Cheon-yeong (former slave) and Yi Jong-ryeo (former master) to find common ground in an almost impossible political landscape. If anything, the story of Cheon-yeong and Yi Jong-ryeo is a tragic friendship story. While Korean drama usually toils with romances, this movie instills two friends separated by class, unable to communicate with each other due to the times they live in.

Uprising relies heavily on war and military throughout, so fighting choreography is expected to be at the forefront of the feature; I was super impressed. The scenes involving one-on-one sword battles were pleasing to the eye and well-structured. The film does not hold back on the gore, but it’s not the spotlight of the spectacle. The horrific nature of war is more the salient point if anything.

There’s also an important message about power and war in Uprising. Regardless of class and status, people are needed when the country is in danger, but in the aftermath, greedy rulers lust for the status quo. There’s certainly a magnification of rulers, past and present, who deem social constructs as their tools, not the people’s, bringing the film a real sense of community in parts.

I will say, however, that Uprising is not suitable for a random watch. At times, I sensed that some viewers coming across this may need the time and space to consume it, which is why I did an entire movie recap that also explains the ending . This South Korean movie is not for the fainthearted, intellectually or otherwise. Allow the film to breathe, and you’ll be suitably rewarded. Trust me.

Article by Daniel Hart

Daniel is the co-founder of Ready Steady Cut and has served as Editor-in-Chief since 2017. Since then, Dan has been at the top of his game by ensuring that we only produce and upload content of exceptional quality and that we’re up to date with the latest additions to the streaming and entertainment world.

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Uprising movie poster: Korean man in red robe, hat, and sword left faces Korean man in blue robe and sword as villagers run behind them with torches

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 0 Reviews
Kids Say 1 Review

Common Sense Media Review

Brutal, gory violence, language in Korean historical drama.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 16+?

Strong violence, gore, injury detail, and bloody fighting and killing. Character

Strong language includes "f--k," "f---ing," "s--t," "goddamn," "whore," "bastard

Any Positive Content?

Fight for justice, freedom, and equality. Protect your friends and family. Forgi

Cheong-yeong is a good man trying to earn his freedom. Even though he is betraye

Cast and characters are Korean and Japanese. Set in roughly historically accurat

Parents need to know that Uprising is a Korean action drama based on real historical events. Set in 1592, this movie is about an uprising that began because a "master" (Jong-ryeo) became friends with his "slave" (Cheong-yeong). But when the patriarch of the family betrays Cheong-yeong, he escapes when the Japanese invade the city. However, more betrayals and infighting threaten to derail Cheong-yeong's goals. Throughout his journey, there is a lot of strong, gory, bloody violence, with many moments of injury detail. Characters are cut, stabbed, impaled, punched, kicked, thrown, burned alive, taken prisoner, bound, kept in cages, decapitated, and whipped bloody. Characters' arms, legs, feet, hands, and fingers are cut off. Characters' decapitated heads are hung from awnings and put on spikes and hoisted up in the air. Characters are found hanging from trees, some with their eyes gouged or pecked out by birds. Characters die by swords going through their necks and having their necks slashed, cut, and slit. A character has his head sliced in half. A character bites the tip of a sword, and his mouth gets cut up in the process. Hands get stabbed through by swords. Characters are bound and have clearly been beaten and tortured. Characters are shot with arrows. A burning building collapses on a mother and child, killing them. Strong language includes "f--k," "f---ing," "s--t," "goddamn," "whore," "bastard," "ass," "bitch," and "slave."

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Violence & Scariness

Strong violence, gore, injury detail, and bloody fighting and killing. Characters are cut, stabbed, impaled, punched, kicked, thrown, burned alive, taken prisoner, bound, kept in cages, decapitated, and whipped bloody. Characters' arms, legs, feet, hands, and fingers are cut off. Characters' decapitated heads are hung from awnings and put on spikes and hoisted up in the air. Characters are found hanging from trees, some with eyes gouged or pecked out by birds. Characters die by sword through neck and having necks slashed, cut, and slit. A character has his head sliced in half. A character bites the tip of a sword; his mouth gets cut up. Hands get stabbed through by swords. Characters are bound and have clearly been beaten and tortured. Characters are shot with arrows. A burning building collapses on a mother and child, killing them.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Strong language includes "f--k," "f---ing," "s--t," "goddamn," "whore," "bastard," "ass," "bitch," and "slave."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Fight for justice, freedom, and equality. Protect your friends and family. Forgive others if they deserve it.

Positive Role Models

Cheong-yeong is a good man trying to earn his freedom. Even though he is betrayed by many, he shows compassion and empathy toward those who deserve another chance. Jong-ryeo is a decent man trying to balance his royal duties with his friendship with Cheong-yeong. Supporting characters are loyal and honorable, sometimes to a fault.

Diverse Representations

Cast and characters are Korean and Japanese. Set in roughly historically accurate 1592 Korea; women characters are subordinated to mothers, wives, servants, and nonspeaking roles. One woman character is a fighter, though, and she is loyal, honorable, and a force to be reckoned with. All other gender roles are conventional. Queer sexuality is not represented. In this time period in Korea, slavery was common. Many characters identify as slaves.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Uprising movie: Korean man in blue robe center right wields sword in close-up

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

In UPRISING, Cheong-yeong (Gang Dong-won) has a "master," Jong-ryeo (Park Jeong-min), he must obey. Being born into slavery demands that Cheong-yeong get whipped for his "master's" failures growing up. But the two still strike up a forbidden friendship—forbidden because the upper class is encouraged to think of their slaves as less than dogs. But suddenly the Japanese invade and throw the city into chaos. Cheong-yeong escapes soon after, as he's betrayed by Jong-ryeo's father. The two friends will eventually meet again, but on clearly opposing sides.

Is It Any Good?

There's a lot to admire in this historical epic, but there's also some things that keep it from being great. Despite being written by Park Chan-wook ( Oldboy , Stoker ), Uprising feels stretched out too thin even with a simple straightforward plot. Perhaps in the hands of a more assured director, like Park, this movie could have been the historical action-drama epic that it's clearly trying to be. But without Park at the directorial helm (this film is directed by Kim Sang-man, a frequent collaborator of Park's), many scenes, transitions, and set pieces feel generic or without a singular vision. Sure, there's lots of fighting, killing, and violence, but at over two hours, there isn't enough, perhaps, in the source material that merits this film being an epic.

Not entirely historically accurate either, Uprising clearly treats its story with a modern action sensibility, right up to almost playing modern music during some of the climactic action scenes. And while the characters and actors carry this film (Gang Dong-won as Cheong-yeong is wonderfully broody), some characters aren't given enough backstory, development, and screen time, such that when they do appear, some viewers might say, "who is this now?" Further, this film has a small issue with transitions, whether it be from jumping to the past from the present or vice versa, or whether it be simply from jumping from one location to another.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about violence in historical action dramas. Did any of the violence in Uprising surprise or shock you? Do you think the level of violence in this film is justified? Why, or why not?

How do you feel about Jong-ryeo? Do you think his actions were justified? Why, or why not?

Do you like this film's ending? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

On DVD or streaming : October 11, 2024
Cast : Gang Dong-won , Park Jeong-min , Cha Seung-won , Kim Shin-rock
Director : Sang-man Kim
Inclusion Information : Asian directors, Korean directors, Asian actors, Asian writers
Studio : Netflix
Genre : Action/Adventure
Topics : History
Run time : 126 minutes
MPAA rating : NR
Last updated : October 15, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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