Take A Look At Priyanka Chopra’s Brutal ‘Bloody Mary’ Avatar in ‘The Bluff’

The “Desi Girl” goes R-rated in a gritty 19th-century pirate thriller; first images show a blood-soaked showdown with ‘The Boys’ star Karl Urban.

January 8, 2026: Priyanka Chopra Jonas is trading the high-tech espionage of Citadel for the high-seas carnage of the late 1800s. On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Prime Video and Esquire released the explosive first-look images for The Bluff, an R-rated action thriller that promises a de-glamorized, “scary and brutal” look at pirate history.

Sharing the stills on her Instagram, Priyanka introduced her character with a punchy three-word description: “Mother. Protector. Pirate. Meet Bloody Mary.”

First Look: A Clash of Titans

The images confirm that The Bluff is not your typical “yo-ho-ho” adventure.

• The Stand-off: The primary image captures a mid-air Priyanka, weapon raised, lunging at co-star Karl Urban (The Boys). Urban, portraying the narcissistic Captain Connor, is seen blocking her blow with a sword amidst a rugged, windswept coastline.
• The “Butcher” Vibe: Another striking shot shows Priyanka drenched in blood and dirt, clutching a conch shell as a makeshift weapon—a detail that led fans on social media to dub her the “Desi Butcher.”
• The Research: Priyanka revealed to Esquire that she prepared by studying real-life female pirate captains, aiming for a portrayal that reflects the “bloody and brutal” reality of the era rather than the fantasy often seen in cinema.

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The Plot: A Mother’s Redemption

Set in the Caribbean (specifically the Cayman Islands), The Bluff follows Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden, a former pirate queen who has built a quiet life with her family.

Character	Actor	Role
Ercell “Bloody Mary”	Priyanka Chopra Jonas	An ex-pirate forced to return to her violent roots.
Captain Connor	Karl Urban	Mary’s former lover and vengeful ex-captain.
T.H.	Ismael Cruz Córdova	Mary’s husband and the island’s protector.
Quartermaster Lee	Temuera Morrison	Connor’s advisor and strategist.

When Connor’s crew descends on the island seeking payback for gold Mary allegedly stole years ago, she is thrust into a deadly game of survival. The film highlights her maternal instincts, with Priyanka noting that being a mother in real life helped her tap into Ercell’s “ferocious” protective nature.

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Behind the Scenes: A Powerhouse Team

The project marks a significant reunion for Priyanka and the Russo Brothers (Anthony and Joe Russo), who previously collaborated on the global spy hit Citadel.

• Director: Frank E. Flowers (Bob Marley: One Love), a native of the Cayman Islands, wrote the script with Joe Ballarini.
• Authenticity: Flowers emphasized his desire to tell a “Caribbean story from a Caribbean perspective,” leaning into the dark, Mafia-like dynamics of 19th-century pirate syndicates.
• The Shoot: Filming concluded in August 2025 in the Caymans, with Priyanka frequently sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her rigorous stunt training.

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