Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brutal, gory violence, language in Korean historical drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Uprising
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 Movie Director(s) , Korean Movie Director(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : History
- Run time : 126 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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