Honestly, if you were expecting another "yo-ho-ho" Disney adventure with talking parrots and gold-toothed caricatures, you might want to brace yourself. Priyanka Chopra latest film, The Bluff, is definitely not that.
I’ve been tracking the production of this one since they started filming in Australia last year, and the first-look images that dropped last week—on January 8, 2026, to be exact—confirm everything the rumors suggested. This is raw. It's R-rated. And Priyanka looks like she’s about to tear through the screen.
She plays Ercell "Bloody Mary" Bodden. Gone is the high-fashion glamor we saw at the Golden Globes just a few days ago. In its place is a scarred, blood-streaked ex-pirate living a quiet life in the 19th-century Cayman Islands until her past—specifically a very pissed-off Karl Urban—comes knocking.
What Is The Bluff Actually About?
Basically, the plot centers on Ercell trying to protect her family. She’s an ex-pirate who thought she’d retired to a peaceful life with her husband (played by Ismael Cruz Córdova) and their son. But her former captain, Connor (Karl Urban), shows up looking for revenge and some stashed gold.
It’s a classic "one last fight" trope, but with a gritty, historical edge. Director Frank E. Flowers and the Russo Brothers (who produced this under AGBO) aren't going for the fantasy vibe. They’ve leaned into the "real" history of Caribbean piracy—the kind that involves tactical traps, brutal swordplay, and actual stakes.
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The Bloody Mary Transformation
Priyanka has been vocal about the research she did for this role. She didn't just look at scripts; she looked at real female pirates like Grace O’Malley.
The goal was to portray piracy as it actually was: a brutal, messy business where women often captained ships out of necessity and survival. If you saw the BTS photos she shared, you know she’s not playing around. One shot shows her covered in grime, aiming a vintage gun, looking completely unrecognizable from her Citadel or Quantico days.
Priyanka Chopra Latest Film Release Date and Where to Watch
You won’t have to wait long. Priyanka Chopra latest film, The Bluff, is scheduled to premiere globally on Prime Video on February 25, 2026.
It’s interesting because Amazon is really leaning into her as their "global face." Between Citadel (which we know is coming back for Season 2 later this year), last year's Heads of State with John Cena and Idris Elba, and now The Bluff, she’s practically the queen of the platform.
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Who Else Is in the Cast?
The lineup is actually pretty stacked:
- Karl Urban: Playing the antagonist, Captain Connor. He’s essentially a narcissistic former East India Trading Company guy turned pirate.
- Ismael Cruz Córdova: Known from The Rings of Power, he plays Priyanka's husband.
- Temuera Morrison: He plays the Quartermaster, an advisor to Urban’s character.
- Safia Oakley-Green: Plays Priyanka’s sister-in-law.
The chemistry between Priyanka and Karl Urban is what most people are buzzing about. The first-look photos showed them in a literal life-or-death sword fight. No stunt doubles in sight for those close-ups.
Why This Film Matters for Her Career
For a long time, the "Hollywood Priyanka" was often relegated to the "beautiful mystery woman" or the "super-spy." The Bluff feels different. It’s her first major project as a producer where she’s really getting her hands dirty in a gritty, R-rated lead role.
She’s described it as a story about a "mother and a protector" who happens to be a pirate. That maternal instinct is a huge part of the narrative. It’s personal for her, especially now that she’s a mom in real life. You can see that intensity in the teaser.
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There’s also the SS Rajamouli factor. While The Bluff is the immediate focus, fans are already looking toward 2027 for her collaboration with Mahesh Babu in Varanasi. But for now, The Bluff is the project that will define her 2026.
What to Expect Next
If you're planning to watch, keep an eye out for the full trailer, which is expected to drop any day now. The "Bloody Mary" persona is likely going to be the talk of social media for the next month.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check your Prime Video subscription: Make sure it’s active before the February 25th premiere.
- Rewatch Heads of State: If you missed her action-comedy from last July, it's the perfect primer for her current "action era."
- Follow the AGBO social accounts: The Russo Brothers usually drop exclusive "making of" clips in the weeks leading up to a release.
This movie looks like it might finally bridge the gap between her heavy-hitting Bollywood drama roots and her Hollywood action-star trajectory. It’s rare to see a female-led pirate movie that doesn't feel like a costume party. The Bluff looks like it’s going to be a punch to the gut—in the best way possible.