The Bluff Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas Is a Convincing, Swashbuckling John Wick in Pirate-Set Action

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I just finished watching Priyanka Chopra Jonas‘ new movie, and honestly, she’s like a total badass – think John Wick, but make her a pirate! That pretty much sums it up. Add in Karl Urban from The Boys as this incredibly cool, stoic captain who spits tobacco and only speaks in mysterious lines, set it all on the beautiful Cayman Islands, and fill it with tons of pirates getting blown up by homemade bombs and shotguns… it’s a wildly fun ride, seriously!

The Bluff delivers a thrilling, old-fashioned action experience. While the story itself isn’t particularly original, the film makes up for it with its intense and creative fight sequences. The script is straightforward and efficient, allowing the impressive choreography – crafted by fight experts Tara Macken and Kyle Gardiner (known for their work on Marvel films) – to take center stage. Executive produced by the Russo brothers, the film packs all of this into a tight ninety-minute runtime.

The Bluff Places Its Revenge Narrative Inside the Brutal World of Post-Colonial Piracy

I recently watched a film about Ercell, a young mom trying to build a quiet life in 1846 on Cayman Brac – it’s a beautiful, almost idyllic island. The days of widespread piracy are mostly over, but people say the few pirates left are even more dangerous. Ercell’s husband, T.H., has been at sea for 59 days, and her son, Isaac, who has a disability, keeps track. Isaac loves pirate stories and actually reads them to help him fall asleep – it’s a sweet but slightly unsettling detail considering the situation.

They live peacefully with T.H.’s sister, Elizabeth (Safia Oakley-Green), in a cozy, brightly painted shack near the village. This peace is shattered when soldiers arrive, and two of them attack Ercell while she’s in the kitchen. The ensuing fight quickly reveals that Ercell is far more than she seems.

Captain Connor (Urban), a hardened and experienced pirate, is searching for Ercell, believing she’s fled to the Cayman Islands with stolen gold and treasure. Similar to characters like John Wick or Jason Statham’s action heroes, Ercell must abandon her ordinary life and reveal her true identity as a highly trained fighter. Aside from its historical setting and location, the story follows a disappointingly predictable formula.

Honestly, things really ramp up from here. Ercell basically takes on the responsibility of saving her whole family, leading them on a wild chase through the woods to reach this hidden bluff. It’s the location of a secret cave filled with years of untouched treasure. And you know what? Parts of it totally reminded me of Predator – the tables turn, and suddenly they’re the ones doing the hunting! Plus, Ercell’s sheer stubbornness and her knack for building crazy traps out of whatever’s around? It’s pure Die Hard energy. She’s constantly improvising and fighting back with these wonderfully over-the-top contraptions.

While The Bluff clearly draws inspiration from other films, it ultimately feels unique. The action sequences are particularly impressive, standing out as some of the most exciting in recent action movies. Director Flowers makes excellent use of the Cayman Brac landscape, especially its many caves and tunnels, choreographing beautifully violent and fluid fights. One scene is especially striking, filmed by Greg Baldi using only the brief bursts of light from gunfire, creating intense tension.

One of the things I really loved about The Bluff was the location. Cayman Brac is just stunning – all golden landscapes, secret little spots, and huge trees. It honestly felt like a giant, natural laser tag arena! The director of photography, Flowers, has filmed in the Cayman Islands before – his first feature, Haven, was shot entirely there – and you can tell. He really knows how to use that environment to bring Ercell’s world to life.

Jonas delivers a compelling performance as Ercell, portraying her as both fragile and deeply relatable when facing danger. She convincingly handles the physically demanding fight choreography, seamlessly blending swordplay with gun-fu, as envisioned by Macken and Gardiner. Her dynamic with Urban’s character, Connor – who is cooler, calmer, and more ruthless – is particularly strong.

Throughout the film, the script by Flowers and Ballarini explores how colonial violence deeply affects those who experience it, creating a never-ending pattern of conflict. As a fresh take on the John Wick universe, The Bluff is exciting and unpredictable, offering enough new ideas to stand on its own.

The Bluff releases on Prime Video on February 25th, 2026.

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2026-02-23 20:30