The Bluff is a spirited dive into pirate-infused action, set against the jaw-dropping Cayman Brac, where towering bluffs and Skull Cave provide the perfect backdrop for a story about revenge, family, and redemption. At its heart is Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden, a woman dragged back into the violent world she thought she’d left behind. And as expected, Chopra Jonas dominates effortlessly, wielding swords, traps, and sheer force of will to carry the film from one set piece to the next.
Karl Urban, meanwhile, is his usual effortless self as the charming yet merciless villain, giving Connor a slick charisma that offsets the otherwise thin narrative. The plot is largely serviceable – sometimes bordering on predictable – but it moves quickly, never lingering long enough for the pacing to falter. Director Frank E. Flowers leans into the genre’s indulgences, delivering some genuinely exciting one-shot action sequences and a fair amount of bloody, visceral brutality that will satisfy fans looking for edge-of-your-seat moments.
Where the film shines, though, is in its love for setting and heritage. The Cayman Islands aren’t just a backdrop – they feel alive, and the attention to cultural detail and environmental texture is evident in every frame; though it’s North Stradbroke Island in Queensland that serves as Caribbean representation. Flowers clearly wants us to feel the weight of history, the rhythm of the islands, and the stakes for his heroine, and it mostly works.
In the end, The Bluff never quite transcends its genre trappings. The story is straightforward, the characters largely archetypal, and some of the dramatic beats feel familiar. But for what it is – an easy, streaming-ready action-adventure with a ferociously commanding lead, stylish camerawork, and a playful indulgence in pirate-era brutality – it delivers enough thrills and charm to make the ride worthwhile.
Ultimately, Chopra Jonas proves she’s an action heroine to watch, Urban is reliably fun as a villain, and the Cayman Brac has never looked better. Not revolutionary, but an entertaining jaunt for anyone in the mood for some sun, swords, and spectacle.
TWO AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Bluff is available to stream on Prime Video from February 25th, 2026.
*Image credit: Prime Video.
