For all those who lack historical awareness Young Washington will clarify why King Charles III, when meeting President Donald Trump at the White House in April 2026, in his speech said: “You recently commented, Mr. President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that, if it wasn’t for us, you’d be speaking French…!” The sovereign’s high brow humour reminded everyone that indeed the US played a crucial role in the Allied victory against the Nazis, but had it not been for the British settlers in Virginia defeating the French colonists — who were claiming the Ohio Valley — the star spangled country would have had a francophone identity.  This is what the epic historical war drama film directed, produced, and co-written by Jon Erwin is all about.

Young Washington, presented at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, chronicles the time when a young George Washington was a soldier, serving the British Empire, when Native nations were trying to protect their territory in 1754. The young Founding Father, George Washington (William Franklyn-Miller), inspired by his half brother Lawrence Washington (John Foss), decided to seek a militia commission. Virginia’s lieutenant governor, Robert Dinwiddie (Sir Ben Kingsley), appointed Washington as a major and commander of one of the four militia districts. The film shows the young man’s plight as a combatant and leader, interacting with the likes of Lord Fairfax (Kelsey Grammer), General Edward Braddock (Andy Serkis), and Captain James Mackay (Jonno Davies) — who co-commanded Fort Necessity alongside George Washington during the Battle of the Great Meadows on July 3^rd 1754. Besides depicting the challenges of his role, fighting in the name of King George II, Young Washington also shows the man’s more intimate life with his mother Mary (Mary-Louise Parker), and his romantic side as he is smitten with Sally Cary Fairfax (Mia Rodgers), who is betrothed to another man.

The film very well portrays life on the battlefield, through Kristopher Kimlin’s grainy and captivatingly dusty cinematography. Above all, the charm of this film is that we get to see the First President of the United States before his stardom, while he was chiselling his position in the world guided by his ideals. At one point we see how literature is decorated with the power of inspiration, when there’s a reference to Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Man. Even though there is no direct evidence whether George Washington was profoundly shaped by this poem, it is plausible that had he read it, the poem could have reinforced the values he was developing. The character in the film emerges with utmost self-mastery and discipline; he is humble before Providence; and above all he favours virtue over status. The latter, truly stands out in Young Washington, since he lacked classical education and an aristocratic pedigree of many British elites and he lead his own personal battle to rise through merit and fortitude of character. In fact, this sentiment will culminate in the way he will proclaim his pride in emancipating his identity from the British Empire, proclaiming: “I’m a Virginian!” anticipating the events of July 4^th 1776.

The entire cast steps into the shoes of the Enlightenment society with utmost sobriety and talent. Jon Erwin has penned, with Tom Provost and Diederik Hoogstraten, a very relatable coming-of-age story by desacralising a myth and making him even more aspirational, as we admire the making of a hero whose ambition is tempered by duty. This upcoming July 4^th 2026 shall mark the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and watching Young Washington, can definitely be the exemplary way to celebrate America’s history.

Final Grade: A

Photos credits: Angel Studios

Check out more of Chiara’s articles.