If you think you know your onscreen pirates, you haven’t seen The Bluff.

Directed by Frank E. Flowers, The Bluff tells the story of Ercell ‘Bloody Mary’ Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), a wife and mother who has built a new peaceful life on the Cayman Islands. But, when the nefarious sea captain, Connor (Karl Urban) arrives on the island, Ercell’s past as a pirate comes back to haunt her. Suddenly, she’s forced to face the demons that she believed were buried forever, engaging in a deadly game of secrets and survival. Waging war again Connor and his crew, Ercell must fight to protect those she loves by becoming the warrior that she once was.

The Bluff is an absolutely swashbuckling romp never ceases to entertain. Though comparisons will undoubtedly be made to Disney’s mega-hit Pirates of the Caribbean films, Flowers never gives his film the sense of whimsy and fantasy that served as the franchise’s trademark. Instead, his take remains more grounded, creating a world that feels almost historical as opposed to one of monsters and magic. What’s more, by keeping the action located upon the island itself, Flowers manages to turn the film into a home-invasion thriller that seems to have higher stakes than any of the Pirates entries.

And, most importantly, Ercell is no Jack Sparrow.

There’s an edge to Chopra Jonas’ character that makes her more serious with her swordplay than the Depp’s rum-swilling rube. Instead, Chopra Jonas plays Ercell with focused intensity. Though a loving mother, the shadows of her past give her character a mysterious dark side that makes her intriguing. And, of course, Chopra Jonas throws herself into the physicality of the role. Having starred in Quantico and the recent Heads of State, the global star is willing to mix it up when given the opportunity.

And Bluff definitely gives her the opportunity.

After all, Bluff fights for its audience attention with fire and fury. There’s a grittiness to the violence to this film that escapes the more playful Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Tapping into the brutality of the era, Bluff kills its characters with glee. While the film doesn’t lean entirely into its R-rating, this is certainly a bloody affair that isn’t afraid to make a mess.

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And, it’s worth mentioning that Urban’s gnarly growl is perfect for killer Connor. Here, Urban’s snarling pirate is nasty but never feels entirely over-the-top. Teamed with Temuera Morrison (Boba Fett!), he leads his crew with a commanding presence and a vengeful spirit. Even so, as his story unravels, we get a glimpse into his darkened heart that makes him slightly more human than the average onscreen villain.

Even so, what really surprises most about Flowers’ vision for Bluff stems from the booty that they seek. Here, gold isn’t the only thing on the mind of these land lubbers. Instead, with the pirate legacy beginning to wind down, there’s an emphasis on looking forward as the real treasure. Without saying too much, Connor and Ercell understand that gold is more of a means to an end than the end itself. And that recognition elevates the film’s subtext, giving it a more grounded and honest feel.

As such, there’s a battle between the past and the present that’s fully on display within the world of the Bluff. Caught between her present life and the ‘Bloody Mary’ of her past, Ercell seems bound by the different names by which she’s known. To some, she’s Bloody Mary, the scourge of the seven seas. To others, she’s Ercell, loving spouse and parent. Fully invested in both lives, she clearly wants to move on but there’s a piece of her that holds her back from true freedom.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas stars as ‘Ercell’ in The Bluff.

It’s that level of character drama that drives Flowers’ Bluff. While the action is solid, Flowers is interested in more than swaggering fun. Backed by solid performances, Bluff breathes fire when it needs to but, most importantly, it recognizes that some things are worth more than gold.

To hear our interview with director Frank E. Flowers, click here.

The Bluff is available on Prime Video on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.