Andrew Garfield Faces Backlash After Telling Billionaires to Be ‘Scared’ of His New Movie

Actor Andrew Garfield is facing criticism online after telling billionaires they should be “scared sh–less” if they watch his new film, The Uprising.

Garfield made the comment Thursday during a screening of the historical action drama in Los Angeles. The movie, directed by Paul Greengrass, is set during England’s 1381 Peasants’ Revolt, a major uprising by ordinary people against heavy taxes and the ruling class.

During a question-and-answer session, an audience member asked Garfield what he hoped viewers would take away from the film.

“I hope it’s galvanizing,” Garfield said. He explained that he wanted audiences to see their own struggles reflected in the lives of the characters and feel inspired to take action.

“And I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they’re scared sh–less,” he added.

The remark quickly spread on X, where some users criticized Garfield for speaking about wealth and inequality despite his own success as a Hollywood actor.

Rick Davis, an associate pastor in Virginia, called the movie “socialist garbage” and said Garfield’s comments had changed his view of the project.

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also mocked Garfield’s statement, questioning whether billionaires who help finance Hollywood productions should be included in his criticism.

Other critics made similar points, arguing that Garfield has benefited financially from the same entertainment industry and wealthy investors he appeared to be criticizing.

One commentator, John William Sherrod, described Garfield as a “multi, multi millionaire” who was “cosplaying as a put upon member of the working class.”

Noam Blum, chief technology officer at Tablet Magazine, also joined the criticism, writing that more billionaires may have been involved in making the film than will ever watch it.

Garfield, however, has not suggested that he is personally struggling financially. The actor has built a successful career with roles in films including The Amazing Spider-Man, Hacksaw Ridge and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The Uprising tells the story of ordinary English people pushed toward rebellion following the Black Death, when the government imposed heavy taxes to help fund the Hundred Years’ War.

Garfield plays a fictional character named Ploughman, while Cosmo Jarvis portrays the historical rebel leader Wat Tyler.

The controversy surrounding Garfield’s comments has added another layer of attention to a movie that already deals with themes of inequality, power and rebellion.