The Bluff Movie Review

The Bluff arrives with a nostalgic echo of ¨Pirates in the Caribbean¨, but does it do justice to its story? Led by Priyanka Chopra Jonas as a fierce, battle-hardened heroine and Karl Urban as her menacing adversary, the film leans heavily into high-stakes action and dramatic showdowns with gold, bounty and betrayal at the core of it (Typical pirate world). It is directed and co-written by Caymanian filmmaker Frank E. Flowers, who has long championed telling stories connected to the Cayman Islands, even though this particular project was filmed in Australia.

Behind the scenes, the film boasts a surprising line-up of producers: Priyanka, Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (the Avengers films), Angela Russo-Otstot (their sister), Cisely Saldana and Mariel Saldana (Zoe Saldana’s sisters). Zoe Saldana was initially set to take the lead role but ultimately remained on board as an executive producer. Released on Amazon Prime Video on February 25, 2026, The Bluff carries an R rating for its intense and graphic violence.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban in The Bluff

Premise

The year is 1846, and as the opening scene boldly declares, ¨THE ERA OF PIRATES ON THE CARIBBEAN SEA IS DYING. ONLY THE MOST BRUTAL REMAIN, DESPERATELY HUNTING FOR A WAY OUT¨. For Captain Connor, survival means reclaiming his gold. His first point of call in the search is T.H. Bodden’s ship, which he raids and finds some of the gold, but where is the rest? Realising the ship’s port of origin, Captain Connor, taking T.H Bodden hostage, sets sail for the Isle of Cayman Brac; surely the rest of it must be on that island.

Back home, Bodden’s wife, Ercell, waits anxiously with their disabled son, Isaac and her sister-in-law, Lizzy. Bodden is a few days late, and though Ercell tries to calm her son, she senses trouble brewing. Her fears are confirmed when Connor and his crew descend on the island, overpowering its residents with brutal force.

But they underestimate Ercell.

When Connor’s men threaten her son, Ercell sheds the quiet life she built and reclaims the identity she once buried, “Bloody Mary.” She fights back with precision and fury, revealing history with Captain Connor. They once sailed the seas together, partners in piracy, until Ercell chose freedom, betrayed him, and vanished with the gold. Now Connor has returned. Whether he seeks the treasure, Ercell, or revenge becomes unclear, but Ercell is prepared for a day like this. One by one, she dismantles his crew, leading them both toward a final showdown on the island’s bluff.

Cast and Performances

Priyanka Chopra Jonas steps into the role of Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden with convincing physicality, fully in tune with the film’s gritty action. Having already headlined projects like Citadel, Quantico, and Heads of State, she’s no stranger to playing sharp, capable heroines, and here she channels a kind of female John Wick energy: focused, relentless, and emotionally guarded. Her stunt work feels committed and intense, adding weight to the fight sequences. That said, the character’s Caribbean accent wasn’t consistent. There are moments where it slips, which can briefly pull you out of the story. Considering that Zoe Saldaña was originally attached to the lead and famously appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, it’s hard not to wonder how she might have interpreted the role.

Karl Urban, on the other hand, feels completely at home as Captain Connor. He carries the swagger and danger of a seasoned pirate, blending charm with menace. There are shades of his morally complex performance in The Boys, giving Connor a layered edge.

Supporting performances from Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, and Temuera Morrison help round out the ensemble.

Highlights

One of the film’s strongest points is simply that it feels different. In a stretch where Hollywood hasn’t given us any pirate-themed movies, The Bluff steps into that gap with confidence. It leans into a dark, grounded take on the life of a pirate.

The plot appears dense and layered. At times, it feels like there’s more story than the runtime can fully explore, almost as if some parts were intentionally trimmed back, maybe because a prequel is in the works (no news on that yet). Still, what we get is compelling, and the backstory between the characters hints at rich material that could easily support such a prequel.

At just 103 minutes, the film wastes no time. It jumps into the conflict quickly and maintains the pace. While that tight pacing keeps things engaging, it occasionally leaves some parts underdeveloped.

The action sequences are the real deal of the movie. As someone who enjoys action thrillers, I appreciated how creatively the film uses the tools of the era, old firearms, blades, swords, corals, and even the island’s terrain itself. Yes, some moments are gory, but the choreography and direction make the brutality feel purposeful rather than excessive.

Drawbacks

While The Bluff has a story with real potential, it doesn’t always dig as deep as it could. The flashbacks, meant to anchor Connor and Ercell’s shared history, feel brief and somewhat surface-level. They give us just enough to understand that there’s betrayal and unfinished business, but not enough to invest in the emotional weight of it fully. As a result, the action often carries more weight than the backstory. It leaves you sensing that there’s a richer, more layered story sitting just beneath the surface. In fact, if handled carefully, a prequel exploring their past at sea could turn out to be an even stronger pirate tale.

Lizzy’s character also feels underdeveloped. She’s present in key moments, but her role in the larger narrative isn’t entirely clear. Much of her dialogue revolves around questioning what’s happening, yet she doesn’t seem to have a strong personal stake driving her actions. With more depth or a clearer purpose, her character could have added greater emotional tension to the story.

Final Thoughts

With such a strong production team behind it, The Bluff feels like it could have pushed itself a little further. The ingredients were all there: an intriguing backstory, a fierce lead, a seasoned villain, but the film doesn’t fully explore the depth of the sea (pun intended). That said, it was refreshing to see a pirate story on screen again. Even though the film features only limited action at sea, it makes up for it with intense fight sequences on land. On that front, it delivers. There’s clearly room to expand this world, and a well-crafted prequel exploring Connor and Ercell’s shared past could elevate the story into something even more memorable.

Side Note: Watching Priyanka Chopra Jonas command the screen in full action mode makes it easy to imagine her stepping into a superhero universe, whether at Marvel or DC, if those worlds are still open for new heroes.

Rating

3.5/5

What is your favourite Priyanka Chopra Jonas movie?

Author

Alexander Azonobo
Alex is a writer with an undeniable passion for movies and the stories they tell. He loves diving into the world of cinema—exploring its themes, characters, and the artistry that brings it all to life. With an eye for detail and a love for storytelling, he writes to share his thoughts and spark conversations about the films that move, challenge, and inspire us.