In The Bluff trailer, Priyanka Chopra proves that family comes first—even for a pirate—when she’s forced into brutal combat against Karl Urban.
Urban’s involvement emphasizes a broader trend for his intense action roles, as he is set to appear in the much-anticipated Mortal Kombat sequel this year.
Plot details of The Bluff (2026)
The story revolves around a skilled ex-pirate, Ercell (played by Priyanka Chopra Jones), who has left her dark and violent past and settled into her peaceful life in the Cayman Islands with her loving husband, T.H. (Ismael Cruz Cordova), and son, Isaac (Vedanten Naidoo).
Their lives take a wild turn with the arrival of her notorious former captain, Connor (Karl Urban), who seeks revenge for past betrayals. Ercell must confront her past demons and secretive sins to save herself and her family from the threat Connor poses.
Watch the action-packed trailer here:
Director’s vision for the film
Frank E. Flowers, known for Haven (2004) and Bob Marley: One Love (2024), wanted to be as close to his hometown’s features and themes as possible. The film is set in the 19th-century Caribbean with the backdrop of towering bluffs and Cayman Brac’s Skull Cave.
According to Cayman Compass, the writing team wanted to make a story around Caymanian archives. The director wanted to keep it close to his heart and the people from his island. He added,
“I’ve been blessed to work with really incredible people and to be able to follow that guiding light of telling Caribbean stories that speak to my heart.” [Source]
The decision to shoot at an Australian location was made keeping in mind the size of the project. Given the film’s production funds, they had to work hard to come up with a “big, big canvas to paint on.” The entire Caymanian village had to be made with whatever was available at the location.
Also, sticking to the place’s history was important to craft a “modern cinematic flair,” but with accuracy. Given the director’s background, his directorial style often reflects his commitment to representing real places in the Caribbean and the people on screen.
His earlier feature film, Haven, was also shot entirely on the Cayman Islands, which reflects his naturalistic and authentic approach. We expect to see the same deep connection between the settings and characters in The Bluff, as they might not be only backdrops but could play an integral part in the story.
If the protagonist has a turbulent past and the trailer suggests visually grounded aesthetics from Flowers, then building replicated historical Caymanian landmarks with an interweaving of cultural context could be more than a mere stage set.
The title itself is intriguing, as it likely refers to the protagonist’s past, for which the return of her vengeful former Captain might explain. As the official synopsis cites confrontation of her “bloody” past, the bluff acts as a metaphor that will force her to leave her violent past life behind.
How does The Bluff trailer redefine the pirate genre with a female lead?
Female pirate leads have been rare in Hollywood cinema, but they are not entirely unprecedented. Cutthroat Island (1995) shows Geena Davis as a female pirate searching for treasure, but it was a commercial failure. Similarly, the Black Sails TV series (2014-17) highlighted a female pirate character, like Anne Bonny, still not underlining a major female presence in the genre.
The Bluff feels different because it is a physically and emotionally central female pirate character film that is at the heart of an action-heavy narrative. The gritty and violent tone departs from the traditional pirate films, like those of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series (2003 onwards), as Priyanka’s swashbuckler action thriller aims to reframe the pirate cinema.
With a physically demanding role in a mainstream film, this high-profile feature puts the female character in the place of a central pirate protagonist. The undisputed action-oriented story with an emotionally complex female lead has not been witnessed on big screens before, demonstrating an evolution of the pirate cinema itself.
Even Priyanka Chopra herself loved the role, as she found it “clutter-breaking,” as per Hello! Magazine. She said,
“It’s redefining the pirate genre, which itself is very stereotyped, so that’s exciting. Also, filming in Australia was absolutely beautiful.” [Source]
When is The Bluff (2026) releasing?
The Bluff (2026) will begin streaming online on Amazon Prime on February 25, 2026.
Genre: Swashbuckler action, adventure, drama, history
Cast: Karl Urban, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Temuera Morrison, Vedanten Naidoo, Ismael Cruz Cordova
Director: Frank E. Flowers
Writers: Joe Ballarini, Frank E. Flowers
Producers: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otsot, Michael Disco, Cisely Saldana, Mariel Saldana, Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Release date: February 25, 2026
Movie runtime: – –
Could The Bluff set a new standard for female-led action films? Share your thoughts below!
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.
When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in the world of entertainment—watching new releases, revisiting classics, exploring behind-the-scenes content, or reading books that fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives her work and helps her stay connected to what matters most in the industry.
Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.
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