Uproar (2023): True Story, Cast, Reviews & Where to Watch

Few films manage to turn a nation’s political turmoil into a deeply personal story about finding your voice, but Uproar does just that. Set against the real 1981 Springbok tour protests in New Zealand, the film follows a teenage Māori boy who stumbles into activism while figuring out who he is.

Release year: 2023 ·
Directors: Paul Middleditch, Hamish Bennett ·
Lead actor: Julian Dennison ·
Setting: New Zealand, 1981 ·
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85% (as of 2024) ·
Runtime: 110 minutes

Eight key specs, one pattern: Uproar is a modest New Zealand production punching above its weight in critical reception.

Is Uproar based on a true story?

Historical accuracy of the 1981 Springbok tour

Yes and no. The film’s backdrop — the 1981 Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand — is historically real. Those protests against apartheid divided the country and made headlines worldwide (The AU Review (Australian film publication)). The movie stages that tension faithfully: street marches, police presence, and the raw emotion of a nation wrestling with its conscience.

Fictional elements in the protagonist’s story

The protagonist, Josh Waaka (played by Julian Dennison), is a fictional character. The screenplay by Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett is loosely based on Middleditch’s own experiences growing up in Wellington during the 1980s (IMDb (film database)). So while the protests are real, Josh’s family, school, and personal journey are invented — though they reflect the kinds of stories that played out for many Māori families at the time.

The pattern: the film earns its authenticity from the historical setting while giving its characters the freedom to dramatize a universal coming-of-age arc.

What is the main message of Uproar?

Finding your voice through activism

Josh starts the film as a quiet 17-year-old who avoids conflict. The Springbok protests become his catalyst: he discovers that speaking up — even when it’s messy — is how you protect the people and things you care about (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia)).

Dealing with racism and identity

The film doesn’t shy away from the systemic racism Māori faced in 1980s New Zealand. Josh’s school, his relationships, and the protests themselves force him to confront what it means to be a young Māori man in a society that often writes him off. RogerEbert.com (film review authority) praised Julian Dennison for bringing “warmth, humor, and pathos” to a character who becomes the story’s moral centre.

“If you need a heartwarming portrait of a kid reaching for something just beyond his grasp, you could do far worse than Uproar.”

— Neil Miller, Film Inquiry (critic)

The implication: the film argues that personal transformation and political awareness are not separate journeys — one drives the other.

Where was Uproar filmed?

Filming locations in New Zealand

The film was shot entirely in New Zealand, with principal photography beginning in 2022. Key locations include the greater Wellington region, where director Paul Middleditch grew up, as well as Otago and Canterbury regions that stand in for the small towns visited by the Springbok team (IMDb (film database)).

Authentic 1980s setting

The production design team went to great lengths to recreate early‑80s New Zealand: rotary phones, old‑school school uniforms, and period‑correct cars. Even the rugby jerseys are reproductions of the 1981 All Blacks kit (Blue Fox Entertainment (official trailer)).

The catch: period accuracy grounds the story in a specific time, but it’s the emotional truth of the setting that gives the film its resonance, not just the props.

Is Uproar worth watching?

Critical reception overview

Critical response has been overwhelmingly warm. The film holds an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many reviewers calling it “funny, poignant, emotional” and “an entertaining 80s-set dramedy” (Stuff via Wikipedia summary). FilmInk (Australian film publication) highlighted Dennison’s performance as “the point where the film truly shines.”

Audience reactions on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb

Audiences have been nearly as positive, with an IMDb score of 7.0/10 from over 2,000 user ratings. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score sits at 78%, slightly below the critic score, but still strong for a small independent film. The main criticism is pacing: a few users found the second half slower than the first.

“Uproar is a funny, kind, warm, and bittersweet story about acceptance.”

— The Curb (film review site)

If you enjoy historical dramas that blend personal storytelling with real political events — think A Man Called Otto — you’ll likely find yourself moved by Uproar.

What this means: for viewers who want emotional depth plus historical context, Uproar delivers. Seekers of pure spectacle should adjust expectations.

Where can I watch Uproar?

Streaming availability

In the United States, Uproar is available to stream on Hulu (official streaming platform). Viewers with a library card can also watch it for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (library streaming services).

Digital purchase or rental options

If you’d rather own a copy, the film is available for rent or purchase on Apple TV (digital storefront), Amazon Video, and Fandango at Home (Roku streaming directory) (prices vary from $3.99 to $14.99 depending on region and quality). For viewers in Australia and New Zealand, check local listings on JustWatch (streaming aggregator).

The pattern: Uproar reaches audiences through a mix of subscription streaming and library services, making it unusually affordable to watch compared to most independent films.

Timeline: the Springbok protests and the film’s journey

• July–September 1981 — The real Springbok tour takes place across New Zealand, sparking the largest civil protests in the country’s history (The AU Review (Australian film publication)).
• 2022 — Principal photography for Uproar begins in New Zealand.
• 2023 — The film premieres at international film festivals and receives a theatrical release in New Zealand and Australia (The AU Review (Australian film publication)).
• 2024–2025 — Uproar becomes available on streaming platforms globally, starting with Hulu in the US and Kanopy/Hoopla for library users (Hulu (official streaming platform); JustWatch (streaming aggregator)).

The pattern: a small, personal film about a national moment took two years from script to screen, then another year to reach global audiences, proving that even quiet stories need time to travel.

Clarity: what we know and what’s still open

Confirmed facts

• Fictional story set during the real 1981 Springbok tour (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))
• Directors: Paul Middleditch and Hamish Bennett (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))

What’s still unclear

• Exact production budget — not publicly released
• Worldwide box office figures — not widely reported for this independent title
• Netflix availability — not confirmed for any region as of early 2025
• Rotten Tomatoes score of 85% — based on a limited critic pool at time of aggregation (Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia))
• Runtime of 110 minutes — may differ slightly between theatrical and streaming cuts (Children and Media Australia (Australian film classification body))
• Hulu streaming availability — currently active in the US only, rights may shift (Hulu (official streaming platform))

The implication: you get a lot of concrete data about the film’s content and reception, but the business side remains opaque — typical for smaller independent productions.

Frequently asked questions