BLUFF, THE
(director/writer: Frank E. Flowers; screenwriter: Joe Ballarini; cinematographer: Greg Baldi; editor: Lisa Lassek; music: Henry Jackman; cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden), Keith Urban (Captain Connor), Safia Oakley-Green (Elizabeth), Vedanten Naidoo (Isaac), Ismael Cruz Cordova (T.H. Bodden), Temuera Morrison (Quartermaster Lee), David Field (Pastor Bradley, Zack Morris (Weston), Gideon Mzembe (Lupe), Pacharo Mzembe (Chien); Runtime: 103; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, Cisely Saidana, Mariel Saldana; Prime Video; 2026)
“Unfulfilling Caribbean swashbuckler.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Frank E. Flowers (“Haven”) directs and writes with Joe Ballarini this promising but unfulfilling Caribbean swashbuckler, a straight to streaming flick.
Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) is a 19th-century pirate protective of her family that consists of her sea merchant captain husband T.H. (Ismael Cruz Cordova), her disabled young son Isaac (Vedanten Naidoo) and sister-in-law Elizabeth (Safia Oakley-Green). After an adventurous life on the sea, in 1846 she has retired to live a peaceful life on Cayman Brac with all the gold she stole from her former mentor and lover Captain Connor (Keith Urban).
One day she finds T.H. has been kidnapped by the villainous Captain Connor and her home (converted into a fortress) is attacked by buccaneers looking to recover the gold she stole. Ercell springs into action and slaughters her attackers, using martial arts and the weapons such as flintlocks and rapiers. She also resorts to dirty tactics when necessary.
The brutish Connor and his thuggish band of pirates are on Ercell’s island, as he declares “No one leaves this island until I collect my property.” By that he means not only the gold but Ercell.
The fight is on, and Ercell is impressive in battle. What’s not impressive is the mindless generic story.
It ends on the edge of a cliff, where Ercell and Connor fight a winner-take-all sword battle.
The Bluff’s a showcase in the West for the popular Indian actress that appeals to those viewers who will see anything Priyanka is in and those out of curiosity who want to see her for the first time. It also might appeal to action-film fans who love bloody pirate films no matter how underwhelming. 
REVIEWED ON 3/7/2026 GRADE: C
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