Thescreescore – Acclaimed actor and director Andy Serkis, widely recognized for his groundbreaking motion-capture performances, is once again making waves in the cinematic landscape. His latest venture, Young Washington, a historical war drama, has debuted to a robust 73% critical aggregate on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling a significant turnaround from his previous directorial effort. This early reception, based on a limited but discerning pool of 11 reviews, positions the film as a compelling entry in the historical genre, even as it sparks intriguing discussions and a touch of controversy.
While many associate Serkis primarily with his iconic portrayal of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings saga—a role he is set to revisit in the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which he will also direct—his career tapestry is rich and varied. From the gritty realism of The Batman (2022) to the expansive universe of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) and the Andor series, Serkis has consistently lent his formidable talent to diverse projects. However, a prominent role in a war epic marks a less common, yet evidently successful, chapter in his illustrious filmography.
Slated for release on July 3rd, Young Washington delves into the formative years of America’s first president, George Washington, tracing his early military exploits during the tumultuous French and Indian War. Directed by Jon Erwin, the film casts William Franklyn-Miller in the titular role, presenting audiences with an origin narrative that explores the nascent leadership of a historical titan. Serkis himself takes on the pivotal character of Edward Braddock, supported by an impressive ensemble cast including cinematic luminaries Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer, and Mary-Louise Parker.
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Initial critical assessments, though varied in their specific praise and critiques, coalesce around a general appreciation for the film’s entertainment value, despite some observations regarding its adherence to familiar narrative structures and presentation styles. James Parker, writing for The Atlantic, lauded the film’s nuanced and refreshingly imperfect depiction of Washington, noting the deliberate choice to portray him as "petulant, virginal, ramrod-straight, and bristling with awkwardness and ambition. He is callow, unformed. Imperfect, in a word." This humanized approach, Parker suggests, adds considerable depth to the historical figure.
Echoing sentiments of strategic storytelling, Michael Clark of Epoch Times commended the film’s structural integrity and, notably, Erwin’s decision to cast a relatively unknown actor in the lead. Clark hailed this as "a masterstroke," arguing that introducing any actor with pre-existing public perception, whether positive or negative, "would have tainted the expectations" for such a pivotal role.
However, not all critics were swayed. Brian Orndorf, in his review for Blu-ray.com, offered a predominantly negative assessment, branding the movie as "incredibly mediocre." Orndorf expressed dissatisfaction with what he perceived as tedious sequences dedicated to war planning discussions and criticized the "television-style" dramatizations of conflicts, going so far as to liken the film’s intensity to that of "a middle school class project."
Adding another layer of intrigue to the film’s debut is an emerging controversy surrounding its visual effects. Whispers and outright claims suggest that Young Washington may have utilized generative AI for certain battle sequences, though these allegations remain unconfirmed by the filmmakers. Robert Kojder, in his review for Flickering Myth, explicitly pointed to what he described as "unmistakable, hideous generative AI," reiterating his conviction later in the piece that the AI usage was "obvious." This potential integration of artificial intelligence into a historical drama raises pertinent questions about authenticity and artistic integrity in contemporary filmmaking.
For Serkis, Young Washington represents a significant critical rebound following his 2025 directorial effort, Animal Farm. That animated feature, which he also starred in, struggled to connect with both critics and audiences, landing a mere 30% on Rotten Tomatoes. The strong initial reception for Young Washington thus marks a notable improvement in critical standing for the multi-talented artist.
As the film prepares for its wider release, its ultimate reception by the public remains an open question. While the current positive critical score is encouraging, the strong opinions elicited on both sides—from nuanced praise to outright dismissal, coupled with the AI controversy—suggest that Young Washington is poised to spark considerable discussion among moviegoers.
Film Details:
- Release Date: July 4, 2026
- Runtime: 125 Minutes
- Director: Jon Erwin
- Writers: Jon Erwin, Tom Provost, Diederik Hoogstraten
- Producers: Adam Abel, Kristy Choo, Kristopher Kimlin, Tyler Zacharia
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