The Bluff (2026) is directed by Frank E. Flowers, who also wrote the film alongside Joe Ballarini. It stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Karl Urban, Safia Oakley-Green, Temuera Morrison, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Vedanten Naidoo, David Field, Greg Hatton, Pacharo Mzembe, Gideon Mzembe, Zack Morris, and Gary Beadle. The film follows Ercell (Jonas), a former pirate now living a quiet life on a Caribbean island with her husband and child. However, this peace is soon dismantled by the arrival of her former crew, led by an ex-lover, the bloodthirsty Captain Connor (Urban). In order to protect both her family and the peaceful citizens of her small island home, Ercell is forced to implement her past skills as a merciless killer. Unfortunately, she’s soon reminded of Conner’s uncompromising brutality and realizes that saving her new home might come at a devastating cost. 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas doesn’t do much here to further her stock as a dramatic lead. Thankfully, she’s more than capable of executing the film’s variety of combat sequences. Next to Ana De Armas in the John Wick spinoff, Ballerina (2025), this is one of the better female action performances in recent years. That being said, Karl Urban as Captain Conner easily steals the film. 

Even if you don’t like the movie overall, you’ll most likely agree that this will go down as one of Urban’s best roles. Conner is the perfect balance of terrifying and disarmingly charismatic–the kind of character Urban is perfect for. You can tell that he had an absolute blast playing the role, which translates to the character, who seems to relish his villainous deeds. He’s basically an irresistible cross between Jack Sparrow and Blackbeard. If nothing else, this alone is a reason to see the film. Urban fans should be extremely pleased. 

 The film’s brand of practical effects-led, hand-to-hand action has become commonplace in post-John Wick Hollywood, but it distinguishes itself through its unique setting/subgenre. I’m personally a sucker for a good pirate film, but besides the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, I can’t think of a single notable entry in the subgenre to be released in the last 2 decades. This makes The Bluff feel extremely fresh despite its formulaic and predictable plot. You’ve seen this kind of story before, but here it has a nice new coat of paint.

The film also makes the smart choice not to overemphasize the inherent gender politics of the scenario. The writing lets these dynamics drive the story naturally, rather than beating us over the head with a message that should already be a no-brainer for most viewers. Sometimes these female-led action vehicles focus so much on themes of men vs. women that they forget about the more obvious, realistic, and universal themes of good vs. evil. Thankfully, The Bluff understands this and gets it right. 

Overall, this is a formulaic but otherwise extremely entertaining pirate-centered action film that makes great use of its unique subgenre and setting. This, as well as a career-best villain turn from Karl Urban, results in one of the better releases from Prime Video. It still suffers from many of the same issues I attach to other Amazon releases, but the good outweighs the bad here. If you like pirates, Karl Urban, or action in general, check this one out. I had a lot of fun with it, plain and simple. B