The Bluff Review: Priyanka Chopra Jonas Fights Dirty in Grisly Pirate Action Flick
In a recent interview promoting her new film The Bluff, Priyanka Chopra Jonas attributed her shift to Hollywood to feeling "limited" by the Bollywood industry that initially propelled her to stardom. Over the past decade, as she has focused on American film roles, it has been challenging to pinpoint exactly what she was being restrained from. Aside from a praised performance in the 2021 Bafta-nominated The White Tiger, the actor and occasional Pitbull collaborator has typically favored straightforward, entertaining projects like the Céline Dion-centered rom-com Love Again and the lackluster spy series Citadel. While the latter's pilot proved unwatchable for some, it has become Amazon Prime's second most-watched show ever.
A Return to Action Heroine Mode
The Bluff marks Chopra Jonas's return to action heroine roles, a decade after her breakthrough western TV show Quantico. This time, she portrays a 19th-century pirate named Ercell "Bloody Mary" Bodden. Initially, Ercell has abandoned her swashbuckling past for a peaceful life on Cayman Brac, where she resides in a picturesque town with conch shell-lined pathways and neighbors who happily prepare turtle soup for colonial rulers. She retains her skills, such as swiftly rigging a machete, but now uses it for mundane tasks like chopping coconuts for her family. Her tranquil existence is shattered when her husband TH, played by Ismael Cruz Córdova from The Rings of Power, is kidnapped by the fearsome pirate captain Connor, portrayed by Karl Urban of Star Trek fame, who was once her mentor.
Intricately-Choreographed Action and Gritty Scenes
Ercell's calm life is violently interrupted by buccaneers seeking her gold, leading to an explosive fight scene where she slashes with a dagger, tears out dreadlocks by their roots, and spits in an attacker's face. This sets the tone for the film's intricately-choreographed action sequences, which embrace grit without compromise. Chopra Jonas fully commits to the physical demands of the role, and while the dirty fighting may not suit the squeamish, the nods to splatter genre elements provide gross-out fun, especially when blood splatters the camera lens. If not released directly to Prime, this film would be a compelling choice for 4DX viewing.
A Cat-and-Mouse Chase Across the Island
The home invasion merely hints at the chaos to come, as Connor's army overtakes the island. Connor, a brutish figure prone to ominous philosophical musings by the sea, declares, "No one leaves this island until I collect my property," referring not to gold but to Ercell herself, whom he views as his possession. Fortunately, Ercell quickly rekindles her pirate instincts, slipping back into Bloody Mary mode to retaliate. The film evolves into a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase through mangroves and alligator-infested rivers, with Ercell devising increasingly violent and creative methods to eliminate her foes amidst Cayman Brac's stunning natural settings, including Skull Cave, which resembles an underground lair from Tatooine.
Directorial Flair and Production Excellence
Director Frank E Flowers injects high-octane flair into the narrative, while producers the Russo brothers, known for Avengers: Endgame, contribute to an immersive and lush portrayal of the island. Although dialogue is not the film's strong suit, some elements, such as the cartoonish sexism of pirates taunting "Bloody Mary reduced to a fish wife" and Ercell's step-daughter's expository lines like "Who is that horrible man, and why are you so good at killing people?", could have been minimized. Additionally, while the backstory of Bloody Mary—including tales of lashing severed genitals to a ship's bowsprit—adds chilling depth, more erotic tension between Ercell and Connor would have enriched their below-deck history, which is only vaguely referenced.
Commitment to Pulpiness and Cinematic Swoop
Chopra Jonas embraces the pulpiness of The Bluff, even as the role primarily demands impressive action sequences and sharp one-liners. The film boasts a cinematic grandeur unexpected in a straight-to-streaming swashbuckler, with visceral moments like Ercell dragging herself through blood-splattered attire, echoing the final girls of gory slasher films. As Chopra Jonas solemnly states, "Real pirates are murderers, not heroes," she adeptly portrays both aspects. The Bluff premieres globally on Prime Video on February 25th.
