A new pirate entry lands on Prime Video
The Bluff, a R-rated pirate thriller produced by the Russo brothers and directed by Frank E. Flowers, is now streaming on Prime Video. Clocking in at just over 100 minutes and released on February 25, 2026, the film reintroduces the swashbuckling template with a contemporary, revenge-driven story anchored by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban.
What the film is about
The Bluff follows Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas), a former pirate who has tried to put her violent past behind her while raising a family in the Cayman Islands. Her quiet life with husband T.H. (Ismael Cruz Córdoba), their son Isaac (Vedanten Naidoo), and sister-in-law Elizabeth (Safia Oakley-Green) is shattered when her notorious old captain, Connor (Karl Urban), returns seeking vengeance. Forced to defend her loved ones, Bloody Mary deploys swordsmanship, traps and ruthless tactics in a deadly contest of secrets and survival.
Cast and creative team
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas — Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden
- Karl Urban — Captain Connor
- Ismael Cruz Córdoba — T.H. Bodden
- Vedanten Naidoo — Isaac Bodden
- Safia Oakley-Green — Elizabeth Bodden
- Supporting players include Temuera Morrison, Zack Morris, David Field and Pacharo Mzembe
The screenplay is credited to Frank E. Flowers and Joe Ballarini. Producers on the project include Angela Russo-Otstot, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Cisely Saldaña, Mariel Saldaña, Michael Disco and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The Russos’ involvement brings notable industry backing and attention to a genre that rarely sees high-profile contemporary reboots.
Critical reception: divided responses on Rotten Tomatoes
On its initial Rotten Tomatoes tally, The Bluff holds a 68% critics score. That figure reflects a mixed but generally positive critical reaction and is subject to change as additional reviews and audience ratings come in. The current score positions the film as a divisive entry: enough critics found things to admire while others were less persuaded, a common pattern for stylized action pictures that prioritize tone and set-piece invention.
Where The Bluff fits in the pirate-movie landscape
Memorable pirate movies are relatively few—franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean and family classics such as Peter Pan and The Goonies are the usual touchstones. The Bluff attempts to carve a modern niche within that small set by focusing on a personal revenge story, R-rated action and a female lead who both embodies and subverts traditional pirate archetypes. With established stars and the Russo production team behind it, the film could encourage more filmmakers to explore the genre beyond its familiar tentpoles.
What viewers can expect
- A compact, action-forward runtime centered on close-quarters combat and strategic trap-setting.
- A morally complex protagonist who blends maternal protectiveness with lethal capability.
- A May–September-style clash between a haunted past and the fragile peace of family life.
- R-rated violence and a tone aimed more at adult viewers than family audiences.
Where to watch
The Bluff is available to stream exclusively on Prime Video. If you’re drawn to character-driven action anchored by two charismatic leads or you’re simply hungry for a fresh take on pirate fare, it’s worth a look.
Final note
The Bluff has stirred conversation by bringing high-profile talent to a rarely revisited genre. Whether it will become a modern pirate touchstone or a polarizing cult favorite remains to be seen as wider audiences weigh in and the Rotten Tomatoes score evolves. For now, it stands as a bold, compact thriller that puts Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban at the center of a blunt, seaworthy rivalry.