The Bluff Review: Karl Urban’s Pirates of the Caribbean Replacement is Pure Entertainment

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The Bluff transforms Karl Urban into a seasoned pirate captain, giving him a more adventurous history than even Indiana Jones. It also introduces Priyanka Chopra Jonas in intense, action-packed scenes. With the acclaimed Russo brothers (known for their work on major blockbusters) directing, this film promises to be a thrilling experience.

This new Amazon MGM film isn’t a standout; it’s a fairly average action adventure that feels heavily inspired by other movies, but doesn’t quite succeed. It relies too much on imitating other films and asks too much of its lead actors. Ultimately, it doesn’t feel original, leaving you to wonder if the stars, Urban and Chopra Jonas, are enough to make it worth watching. The answer? Nearly, but not quite.

Karl Urban Is Overshadowed in The Bluff

Keith Urban delivers a wildly over-the-top performance as Captain Connor, a ruthless character with no empathy. While his English accent is somewhat vague, the portrayal itself is short and impactful. Hidden behind a thick beard, Captain Connor is a notorious scoundrel, and the role feels very familiar territory for Urban.

While Karl Urban gives it his all, his performance in The Bluff doesn’t quite feel fresh. He embodies the attitude of Captain Connor well, but the character lacks real depth. It’s understandable that following in Johnny Depp’s footsteps is tough, but Urban clearly puts in the effort.

While the movie has striking visuals, Captain Connor doesn’t get enough screen time to become a memorable character. He mostly appears scowling and killing, which doesn’t give viewers a real understanding of who he is. It’s a shame, because the film suggests a richer history that could have made The Bluff more original and engaging. Ultimately, Karl Urban’s performance feels secondary to the action sequences.

The show often rushes through character development, relying on quick pacing instead of genuine emotional depth. The Bluff rarely pauses to let its characters breathe and create compelling drama, prioritizing speed over substance. Captain Connor shows promise, but the series doesn’t give viewers enough time to truly connect with him. Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ character, Ercell, suffers a similar fate, remaining underdeveloped despite the actress’s talent.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas Turns Pirate for Prime

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is a well-respected figure in Indian cinema and is also making a big impact on streaming services. Her latest project, The Bluff, continues her working relationship with Prime Video and the Russo brothers. Between leading roles in Citadel and Heads of State, she’s a star who continues to thrive.

Okay, so The Bluff definitely keeps up the fast-paced, thrilling feel of its predecessors, and throws in pirates, which is a fun addition. But what really surprised me was the film’s heart. We see the main character, Ercell, as a genuinely caring person right from the start, and it immediately makes her more than just the typical action hero. It gives the movie some real weight, even if that peaceful feeling doesn’t last long – after all, it is an action movie! But it’s important because it gives you something to actually care about as the story unfolds.

Even though I helped create this project and developed a more detailed history for it, it still feels incomplete. While conflicts naturally build, the characters don’t grow in a satisfying way, and important details get overlooked. The story focuses on faster-paced elements at the expense of meaningful relationships, and unfortunately, this gives viewers too much time to notice plot weaknesses.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas proves she’s capable in action roles, but The Bluff feels too slick and surprisingly unemotional, even with a clear reason for the character’s actions. The film’s fast pace becomes repetitive and makes the plot predictable, ultimately hindering any real development of the characters. This places the biggest issues with the movie on the director and co-writer, Frank E. Flowers.

The Bluff Does Nothing but Entertain

Frank E. Flowers is the writer and director of The Bluff, a film featuring a standout performance by Kingsley Ben-Adir. While he shared writing credit, he was solely responsible for the film’s direction, which is particularly evident in the expertly choreographed action sequences. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, in particular, brings a graceful, almost dance-like quality to her fight scenes. However, the film’s biggest weakness isn’t the visuals – it’s the script itself.

The movie The Bluff is often overly obvious in its storytelling, feeling as though it’s constantly pointing out what’s happening. Beneath all the violence and excitement, the actual story is quite thin and easily lost. There’s a growing belief within the film industry that this is due to a perceived decline in audience attention spans, and while disheartening, this idea seems to explain a lot about the film.

Audiences today appreciate straightforward stories, and this film, The Bluff, delivers just that. It’s fast-paced, avoids complicated storylines, and quickly sets up a clear and easy-to-follow plot. The film immediately establishes the danger and who is at risk, then moves forward with a series of exciting action sequences. While the action is impressive, character development takes a backseat.

Watching The Bluff doesn’t demand much from viewers. It’s designed simply to be entertaining, not to make you think deeply or feel a strong emotional connection. Don’t expect any major revelations when it ends – it’s the kind of movie you’ll quickly move on from. This isn’t meant as a negative point, but rather an explanation for why the film doesn’t break new ground. While Flowers is a capable filmmaker, the script’s primary purpose is pure entertainment.

The Russo Brothers Remain Untouchable

There’s nothing wrong with The Bluff simply being enjoyable. With a strong supporting cast featuring Ismael Cruz Cordova, the film is sure to attract viewers. However, these talented actors don’t get much screen time – you could easily miss them. Luckily, The Bluff is packed with enough action and excitement that it probably won’t matter.

Most people just want to relax and enjoy a movie, and The Bluff delivers that classic cinematic escape. Despite the endless options on streaming services, the core appeal of movies hasn’t changed. The Russo brothers, who are currently working on the next big Marvel films – including Avengers: Secret Wars – clearly understand what makes a good movie.

Despite not being a critical success, The Bluff is a well-made and highly entertaining streaming movie. While it doesn’t delve deeply into character development or challenge viewers with complex themes, it’s a fun, fast-paced action adventure. The writing is surprisingly clever, considering its straightforward approach.

As a film buff, I was really struck by how skillfully The Bluff feels both familiar and fresh. It doesn’t just copy other films, it understands them, taking the best elements and leaving the rest behind. It’s like watching a brilliant pianist – they know the music so well they can build on it and create something new and impactful. To me, The Bluff is a perfect, concise film – a three-minute pop song that immediately grabs you and doesn’t let go.

This Might Just Get Audiences Interested in Pirates Again

While not aiming to be a blockbuster, the new Amazon MGM film, The Bluff, is a welcome addition to its genre. Any flaws the movie might have will likely be overlooked by viewers captivated by the story. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Keith Urban share a strong on-screen connection, bringing genuine energy and depth to this dark and compelling romance.

This movie is a great way to get excited for the next Jack Sparrow adventure, with Johnny Depp perfectly capturing that Keith Richards-like swagger. If you’re not a fan of the series, it’s still worth revisiting the original Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – it remains a truly excellent film.

The Bluff premieres February 25, 2026 on .

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2026-02-23 20:46