The Bluff (2026) Movie Script

[thunder cracking]
[rain falling]
[waves crashing, water spraying]
[wind howling]
[wood creaking]
[thunder crashing]
[tense music playing]
[pirates shouting indistinctly]
[thunder crashing]
[wood creaking]
[shouting continues]
[pirate shouting]
Give us the goods and gold!
[bell clanging]
-[clanging continues]
-[crewman] Captain Bodden! Pirate--
-[gunshot]
-[grunts]
[pirates shouting on deck]
[Bodden breathing heavily]
-[loud thumping]
-[shouting continues]
Burn the logbook.
[crewman 2] Aye, Captain.
Steel yourself.
-[shouting]
-[screams of pain]
We are merchant fishermen!
We are-- [grunts]
Bastard.
[grunts] Come on!
-[pirate growling]
-[grunting]
-[man cries out]
-[water splashing]
[screaming]
[grunts]
[grunting]
[pirate shouting]
[pirate 2] Good night, Captain.
-[wind howling]
-[pirate whistling]
-[pirate] That's right!
-[gunshot]
[overlapping chatter, clamoring]
[pirate] Captain on deck!
[ominous music playing]
[Captain Connor] So many years
have I searched these seas
looking for that which was stolen from me.
Tell me...
how does a captain
of a lowly merchant vessel
come by a piece of gold bearing my mark?
Who gave this to you?
How many lives do you think it's worth
to protect them?
Hmm?
Shall we find out together?
[Quartermaster] Captain.
Ship's port of origin, sir.
The isle of Cayman Brac.
[Connor] Bring Captain Bodden aboard
and give no quarter to the others.
These men have done nothing wrong.
-Set the course, Quartermaster.
-[pirate shouting]
[Connor] Set sail for Cayman Brac.
[pirates clamoring]
[whooshing]
-[dramatic music playing]
-[wood creaking]
[ambient music playing]
[seagulls squawking]
[bell clanging]
[happy chattering]
-[busy, overlapping chatter]
-[man] Hurry up, men.
-[clanging continues]
-[dog barking in distance]
[happy chattering continues]
[baby crying]
-[mother] Shh.
-[Pastor] For the Swiftsure
-and all those still at sea...
-[man coughs]
so they know we shall never lose
the light of hope that guides
our blessed sailors
and Captain T.H. Bodden back home.
-Amen.
-[others] Amen.

[insects buzzing]
[birds chirping]
[music box playing gentle melody]
[gentle melody continues]
[Weston whispering] Elizabeth.
Lizzy.
-Elizabeth.
-Weston.
-Hey.
-What are you doing here?
[grunting]
One last kiss-- [grunts]
[groans]
My ship leaves in the morning.
Have you given any more thought
to what we spoke of?
[scoffs] I've given it all my thoughts.
-And?
-There are things to consider.
Uh-huh. And?
And...
-Come here.
-[grunts, laughs]
-[grunting]
-[giggles]
[birds chirping]
-[intriguing music playing]
-[rope creaking]
-[Elizabeth laughs, Weston talks quietly]
-[bottles clattering]
-[laughing]
-[Weston grunts]
[bottles clattering]
-[Elizabeth whispering] Be quiet.
-[Weston] She's coming back?
-[Elizabeth] I don't know. Shh.
-[Weston] She's going to murder us.
[grunts]
-[Weston speaks indistinctly]
-[Elizabeth] Shh.
[Elizabeth whispers indistinctly]
[bleating]
[Elizabeth whispers] Get down.
Is that your sister?
-Sister-in-law.
-[grunts]
[goat bleating]
Ah. Damn it.
[bubbling, sizzling]
Lizzy!
[grunts] This girl.
[Elizabeth whispering] Weston.
-Shush.
-[Issac] Muma?
Is that you?
Issac. Careful, my boy.
Let's get those braces on.
Come.
Any sign of father's ship?
No.
Not even a passing schooner.
[gentle music playing]
It's been...
59 days now.
Hey.
Your father's been late his whole life.
Man late to our own wedding.
-[chuckles softly]
-Ask me,
he is right on time, hmm?
Then why are they sending
another vessel to go search for him?
Your Auntie Lizzy tell you that?
[sighs]
He will come home.
He always does.
Hmm?
Yeah.
I will pack my belongings
and meet you by the cove at first light.
-[pounding on door]
-The cove.
-Mm-hmm.
-[Ercell] Lizzy.
[whispering] Hide, hide, quick.
Lizzy!
Morning, Ercell.
Morning's long gone.
Everything all right?
Of course. Why?
You were supposed to be watching
the coconut sweets for Issac's birthday.
[sighs] It slipped my mind.
-[Ercell] Oh, really?
-[Elizabeth] Apologies.
I'll make another batch.
No need. I should've done it myself.
Nice day out.
[goat bleats]
Same as yesterday
and pretty much every other day.
Never seen anyone so burdened
to live in paradise.
I have spent my whole life
on this tiny island.
Is it so bad
that I long to see the sunrise
from another shore just once?
Have you ever felt that?
Too much work to daydream.
Also, watch what you say
in front of Issac.
-[sucks air through teeth]
-Don't kiss your teeth at me.
[sighs] You're not my mother.
No wonder T.H. is always gone.
[sighs]
[intriguing music playing]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[Issac] On this day to God we pray,
bring Papa's ship this way.
Over the quiet great blue sea
to enjoy this cake with me.
-[insects chirring]
-[distant thunder rumbling]
[mysterious music playing]
[grunting]
[pirate] Lose the line! Let it go!
[gentle music playing]
Now, what did I tell you
about reading that?
[Issac] Something is not right.
He promised to return before my birthday.
[chuckles]
The sea is uncertain, my child.
Which is why your father left you
a present, just in case he was late.
You want to see?
Here.
[laughing quietly]
[Issac] Jeezam peas.
Did Papa say where he got it?
He didn't.
[metallic scraping]
[mysterious music playing]
Okay, okay. That's enough.
It's not a toy.
Get some rest, yeah?
Come here.
[gentle music playing]
My barque's in the harbor
My soul's in the bay
[Ercell] And both will set sail
at the dawn of day
So hold me close
till dawn
till day
and deep in your heart
I will stay
[pensive music playing]

[birds chirping]
[bottles clattering]
-[door closes, gate creaking]
-[bottles clattering]
[floorboards creaking]
[wood clattering]
[wood clattering]
-[knocking softly]
-[whispers] Lizzy.
[door creaking open]
[wood clattering]
[sighs] Elizabeth.
[sucks teeth]
[quietly] This girl.
[pirates whispering in Chichewa]
-[ominous music playing]
-[shutters thumping]
[goat bleating]
[whispering] Hey, wake up.
Come on, get up, get up, get up, get up.
-What's happening, Muma?
-Shh.
-[Scout whistling mournful tune]
-[bottles clattering]

[pirates whispering in Chichewa]
[running footsteps in sand]
Come on, let's go.
Ready?
-[door rattling]
-Okay.
[clattering]
[Scout whistling]
[grunts]
[goat bleating]
-[whispering] Let me help you.
-[quiet knocking on door]
[Chien] Bonjour, Mrs. Bodden.
-Hey.
-[pirates laughing]
Come on.
-[pirate howling]
-[laughter]
Good boy.
[Chien speaking Chichewa]
[Scout whistling]
[Ercell] Stay still.
-[floorboards creaking]
-[pirates laughing]
[footsteps approaching]
[Scout] Yeah...
-[door rattles]
-Who is there?
We're a peaceful family.
We want no trouble.
[floorboards creaking]
[Scout] What a beautiful day it is today.
[chuckling]
Come and look.
[slow footsteps departing]
[faint clicking outside]
-[rustling]
-[gasps]
[clattering]
[Lupe growling, yelling]
[grunts]
-[Chien speaking Chichewa, laughing]
-[Ercell grunts]
[Ercell cries out]
[Lupe] She got the hip.
[Ercell and Chien grunting]
[Ercell panting]
Brother, are you hurt?
I'm fine.
[both grunting]
-[Lupe] Hey, hey, hey.
-[Chien shouts]
[strained grunting]
[Lupe cries out]
[Chien] Where are you going?
[Lupe] Hey, hey, hey, hey.
[cries out, whimpering]
[Chien grunts] Is this it?
-[yelps, whining]
-Huh?
[Lupe laughing]
[whimpering]
-[Lupe] And she runs like a dog, huh?
-Please.
[Chien] Good girl.
Get the door.
And, you...
-[straining] ...you come here.
-[cries out]
[grunting]
[Ercell groaning]
[whimpering]
[laughing quietly]
[Scout] Good morning, Mrs. Bodden.
Where do you keep the money?
Behind the portrait.
[Ercell whimpers] Please.
[coins jingling]
[Ercell whimpering]
[Scout] The gold!
-[whimpering]
-[coins clattering]
-Where is it?!
-[crying] It's all we have.
What are you doing?
Money is money.
-[Chien] Oh, save some for me, huh?
-[laughs]
Always, brother.
-[glass shattering]
-[Chien gasping]
[Ercell and Lupe grunting]
You behave.
[spits]
-[Scout chuckling]
-[Lupe growling]
[cries out]
[Lupe] She got me in the eye,
-that dirty woman.
-[Issac] Muma.
-[Chien speaking indistinctly]
-[whispering] Muma's all right.
-Muma's all right.
-[Scout] Grab her!
-Bloody take her!
-No!
-[Scout] That's it! Take her now!
-No. No.
[screaming]
[exhales heavily, groaning]
[groaning]
[Ercell breathing heavily]
[Scout] This.
Where is the rest of this?
Who are you?
Need be, you break her bones.
[Chien and Lupe chuckling]
Leave the face.
-[Chien speaks Chichewa]
-[Scout] Hmm.
[Scout whistling]
[door opens]
[door slams shut]
[seagulls squawking]
[happy chattering nearby]
-[happy chattering continues]
-[dog barking]
[Custode] Pastor Bradley.
I cooking some turtle stew later.
I know you love it.
Yeah.
[happy chattering continues]
[quiet, tense music playing]
[Custode sighs]
[Custode] Help you there, friend?
I am the Custode,
and this is an emancipated British colony.
Kindly state your name,
rank and allegiance.
[Connor] Such a fragile thing, paradise.
One day sunshine, the next...
[whooshing]
...a raging hurricane slams ashore
like God's own fist.
Uh... I ask you again.
Name, rank, allegiance.
I come as my own emissary,
a humble brethren of the sea,
here to offer shelter from the storm.
Captain Francisco Connor.
-[Quartermaster] Snap your oars, lads!
-[pirate] Hey!
-[Quartermaster] Break your backs!
-[pirates grunting rhythmically]
-And heave!
-[pirate] Hey!
Weston?
Do not mess about!
[seagulls squawking]
[flies buzzing]
[Elizabeth screaming]
[cheering]
[playing jaunty tune]
-[happy chattering]
-[rhythmic clapping]
Harbormaster!
Look to the headland!
[jaunty tune continues]
[hushed] Get all the people
into the church.
[blowing deep tone]
-Inside.
-[urgent chattering]
Inside.
[conch shell blowing in distance]
[boy] Look there,
coming through the channel.
[Custode] Heard tell
of a mad Captain Connor.
Sea robber, war hound,
wanted enemy of the British Empire.
Who do you fancy built that empire?
[pirates grunting]
Pull, my fine hearts!
Pull!
Heave for mommy!
-[Custode] Them sailors...
-Heave!
...them with you?
Aye.
Unfortunately, they do not share
my sense of diplomacy.
We come to settle a debt.
Where is the wife of T.H. Bodden?
Miss Ercell?
[sucks teeth] I cannot allow
no armed regiment
for a damned fishwife.
[Connor] No one else need be harmed.
[clanging]
[panicked clamoring]
[man] Everyone, remain calm.
-[bell clanging]
-Prepare the bulldog!
-[pirates grunting]
-[Quartermaster] Pull, me hearties! Pull!
[intense music playing]
Tell your men to stop rowing.
I don't know what pact Connor make with
the devil, but it does not stand here.
[sniffing]
I order you to stop rowing!
[sniffs]
[men shouting indistinctly]
[metallic clank]
[pirates grunting]
Lift oars!
Steady.
Fire.
[gunshot, bullet whizzing]
And it was such a pretty island.
[grunts]
[cries out]
[groaning]
He looks so fancy there.
[both laughing]
[Ercell] You know my husband?
[grunting]
Is he alive?
Hey. Collect some items
before the others come.
Aye.
Who are the others?
String her up.
-[rope creaking]
-[Ercell cries out]
-[grunting]
-[Issac] Muma.
-[Ercell grunting in frustration]
-[grunts, mutters]
[Ercell continues grunting]
There's a child down there.
Stop. STOP!
Look at me.
Who taught you how to speak Chichewa?
The same person that taught me this.
-[yells]
-[Lupe grunts]
[yelling]
[grunting]
[Lupe screaming]
[cries out, groaning]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[Chien yells]
-[yells]
-[grunts]
[Chien grunting in pain]
[yelling]
[man yelling]
[men yelling]
[men grunting, yelling]
The child!
[cries out]
[Lupe muttering]
[Lupe] Get her!
[grunts]
Ooh!
[Ercell yells] Stay back!
[breath trembling] Muma.
[Chien speaking Chichewa]
[Ercell grunting]
[Lupe cries out]
[Chien yelling]
[shouting in Chichewa]
-[Ercell grunts]
-[cries out]
-[grunting]
-[groaning]
[yells fiercely]
[gunfire]
[man grunts]
[gunfire continues]
[men shouting]
-[pained grunting]
-[gunshot, bullet whizzing]
[men shouting]
This way.
[men whispering]
[grunting]
[grunts, exhales sharply]
[yells]
[screaming]
-[grunting fiercely]
-[gurgling]
[screaming] Lupe!
[yelling angrily]
[gasping breath]
[gunshot, bullet whizzing]
-[strained grunting]
-[men shouting]
[Custode] Light the bulldog!
[grunting]
[cries out]
-[gunfire]
-[men shouting]
-[cries out]
-[thuds]
Fire stick. Where the fire stick?
Where the fire stick?!
[gunshot, bullet whizzing]
[panting]
-[man yelling]
-[gunshot]
[bullet ricochets]
[growling]
[cries out]
[growls]
[Chien screaming]
[breath trembling]
[both grunting]
You... [grunts]
come to my house!
You threaten... my family!
Where is my husband?!
[Ercell screams]
[panting]
[pirate] Go! To shore!
[pirates shouting]
[pirate] Heave!
-With me. Come on, with me.
-[whistling in distance]
-[pirates shouting]
-[popping in distance]
Help!
Custode!
[pirates continue shouting]
[dog whines]
[breathing shakily]
[whines quietly]
Heavy tide this morning?
Couldn't leave some fight
for the rest of us, huh?
[chuckles]
Welcome to the Brac, gentlemen.
No one leaves this island
till I collect my property.
[pirate whistling]
-Secure the beachhead!
-[pirates] Aye.
Gather the guns.
-[gunshot]
-[pirates exclaim]
[gasping]
[pirates shouting]
[gunshot echoes]
Royal Navy patrol these waters.
[laughing]
And them know how to handle your kind!
-[chuckling]
-Only the strongest of our kind remain.
Last of a dying breed.
Some say can't die at all.
[Connor] Tell me, wee man...
...where is the island's distress signal?
-[laughing]
-[Connor laughing]
[panting]
That's a nice church.
[tense music playing]
[metallic creaking]
[panicked murmuring]
-Get down, down, down! Down!
-[screaming]
[panicked murmuring continues]
-[breathing heavily]
-[metallic creaking]
Signal pyre.
Far end of the island.
Atop the bluff.
[Connor] Those in hiding...
stay hidden!
-Mourn your dead!
-[breath trembling]
Comply with my men...
-[child crying]
-[mother shushing, talking soothingly]
...and there'll be no more unpleasantries.
[exhales]
As for you...
[Custode breathing raggedly]
[crying softly]
Blood that was spilt here today
be upon your hands.
I condemn thee to a place
where the wicked cease from troubling.
And the devil take you there himself.
-[gasps]
-[cannon booms]
[sobbing quietly]
[scattered laughter]
Nice shot, sir.
[pirates laughing]
[Quartermaster] Ah, Mr. Scout.
What news have we?
Still looking for the gold,
but we have subdued the woman.
[intriguing music playing]
Have you, now?
[door creaking]
[breathing heavily]
[spits]
[groans]
[breathing heavily]
[laughing softly]
[Issac whimpering]
Don't be frightened. Don't be fr-- Hey.
Look at me. Issac, look at me.
Don't be afraid, boy.
I'm still your mother.
And I will do anything in my power
to protect you,
you understand that?
[grunts quietly]
[leg braces creaking quietly]
We do not have much time.
Go and pack your necessities
and three days' rations.
[gun clicks]
[metallic scrape]

[bottles clattering]
[tense music playing]
[footsteps approaching]
-[Ercell yells]
-Ercell! It's me.
[sighs heavily]
[Ercell grunts]
Are you injured?
Not as bad as them.
Bounty hunters.
Or worse.
[pensive music playing]
How many more in town?
[groaning]
A whole gang of rowboats.
Led by a vile man
carrying munitions
like none I've ever seen.
Ercell.
I think it's him.
[breathing heavily]
[sniffs]
[water sloshing]
[gulping]
[gasping]
[sets down bottle]
[exhales]
[Ercell] It's not possible.
Have you see Lizzy?
[Pastor] No.
I took the bush path, but...
it's you those men are looking for.
Let them look.
Innocent people are dying.
Well, if you care about them so much,
why did you come running here?
Because you're the only one on this island
who might be able to stop them.
Captain.
Do not ever call me that again.
-[braces creaking]
-[Issac] Lizzy left us.
What?
She's running away with Weston.
[sighs heavily]
Ercell.
-Think.
-I have no time.
You come if you're coming.
And I can't find my dagger.
[Ercell grunts]
[Pastor] The love of God.
-Here you go.
-[Issac murmurs]
Follow the trail of the banana orchids,
through the mangroves, towards the bluff.
Twelve paces east
from the dead, moon-marked tree.
But aren't you coming with us?
After I find your auntie.
Okay, now listen.
Go north along the creek.
Wait there. And watch out for the caimans.
[scoffs] Those gators should fear us.
Right, Pastor?
With faith, anything is possible.
Well, now you have faith and a flintlock.
Remember how to use one of these, Pastor?
I'll not murder,
but I don't mind winging a bastard.
I owe you.
[Pastor] You owe me nothing.
[Ercell] If anything comes after you,
use that birthday present, boy.
I'll see you soon.
[tense music playing]
[goat bleating]

[breathing heavily]
[whimpering, breathing heavily]
[pirates speaking indistinctly]
[Scout whistles] Come on!
[pirate shouts indistinctly]
[Scout] Hey!

[breathing heavily]
[whimpering]
-[muffled screaming]
-[shushing quietly]
-[cries out]
-Shh. Shh.
-Lizzy.
-[sobbing] Ercell.
There's these men, and they...
-and they killed Custode!
-Shh. Keep your voice down.
-Keep your voice down.
-They killed-- N-N-No.
-You don't understand. Weston.
-Keep your voice down. Shh.
You were going to run away
with that idiot?
What were you thinking?
Weston's dead.
I'm sorry.
-I'm sorry.
-[crying] I want to go home.
-We can't go home.
-[sobbing]
We can't go home.
Issac and Pastor are waiting for us
in the mangroves.
[intriguing music playing]
Lizzy.
If we don't move now,
those men will find us.
There's a cut through the bush path.
All right?
-Mm-hmm.
-Come.
-[pirates talking indistinctly]
-[clattering]
No gold yet, sir.
[clattering continues]
"Subdued the woman"?
[Scout] One woman could not do all this.
She must be getting help.
[Quartermaster] You don't know
the woman you're dealing with.
Scour the northern purview.
You lot, heed the south.
Shoot anyone traveling with her.
[blows softly]
And what about our lady friend?
Subdue her proper this time.
[Scout outside] Gentlemen!
You heard the quartermaster.

She has a son.
And he is hobbled.
[Pastor straining, grunting]
-Are you all right?
-[grunts]
I'm afraid we've run aground.
Come on, lad.
[grunts]
There.
Pastor, the marked tree.
[Pastor chuckles] Oh, bless your eyes.
-Here.
-I got it.
Said I got it. I am 13.
[Pastor chuckles]
Happy birthday, by the way.
[grunting in distance]
[snorting in distance]
[machete slicing through brush]
-[whispering] Get behind me.
-[gun clicks]
You get behind me.
-Shh.
-[machete continues slicing through brush]
[Ercell breathing heavily]
-You got a little fight in you yet.
-[Pastor sighs heavily]
-[insects trilling]
-[birds chirping]
[leaves rustling, twigs snapping]
[intriguing music playing]
[sharp whistle nearby]
[clicking tongue]

[grunts] This is where the creek narrows.
[Pastor scoffs] Ercell.
Dare not tread these waters.
Neither would I.
[grunting]
-I got it. I got it.
-Come.
Issac first.
Good lad.
[Issac grunting]
[Ercell] Slow and steady.
[Elizabeth speaks softly]
Heave to and pull.
You can do this.
Just pull. Steady. Steady.
Steady. Steady.
[breath shuddering]
What?
[Ercell] Keep your eyes forward.

[grunting]
[hushed] Go!
Bradley, hurry.
[pirates talking in distance]
[hushed] Come.
No.
[water splashes]
[sharp whistle nearby]
[pirate] Oh, Capitaine.
[pirate shouting indistinctly]
I'm unarmed.
[shouting continues]
[Connor] My stars.
Black Heart Bradley, is that you?
Pastor Bradley.
Uh-huh.
A man can trade his uniform...
...but underneath...
...still the same.
We're not the same.
I found my peace.
You'll find lead.
You tell me where she is.
[Issac grunting]
Keep moving toward the bluff.
Do not stop.
Do not make a sound. All right?
Where are you going?
-Shh.
-Come on, Issac.
[spits]
She's twice the captain you are.
[grunting]
[Connor in distance] Last chance.
[Pastor] The truth.
Fear not those who would kill the flesh
but are unable to kill the soul.
-[gunshot echoes]
-[cries out, groaning]
Do keep praying.
-[groaning continues]
-[Ercell quietly] No, no, no, no. No.
There! Starboard treetop!
Flush her out!
[grunts in pain]
[pirates shouting]
[gunner] Keep trained on her.
[Pastor growls]
[grunting]
[pirate] She's getting away!
[gunfire]
[Elizabeth and Issac yelp]
-[gunfire continues]
-[Elizabeth whimpering]
[gunfire stops]
Check your aim!
No executions, gentlemen.
Alive.
[pirates grunting]
-[water rushing]
-Huh?
[gasping]
-[screaming]
-[dramatic music playing]
[panicked shouting]
[pirate] Go! Get after her!
-[in distance] Get after her!
-[Elizabeth] I'm right behind you.
[whispering] Hide.

[pirate] Let's go! Stick with me now!
Come on, come on!
-[Issac] Auntie. Auntie.
-Shh, shh, shh.
-[sharp crack]
-[gun clicks]
Get after her!
[gunfire continues]
Get me out of the river!
Get me out quickly!
[screaming]
[pirates shouting]
[screams] Get me out!
[screaming]
[grunting]
[gunshot]
-[groaning]
-[others shouting]
[breathing heavily]
[leaves rustling]
-[gun clicks]
-[grunting]
[yelling]
[yelling]
[screaming]
[grunting]
[pirate groaning]
[grunting angrily]
-[Issac] Auntie, I'm scared.
-[Elizabeth] Your mum is just fine.
-It's all right.
-[growling]
[screaming]
[pirate groaning in pain]
[grunting]
-[yelling]
-You witch!
[grunting fiercely]
[cracking, squishing]
-[caiman snarling]
-[pirate shouting indistinctly]
-[hissing]
-[wounded pirate groaning in pain]
[gunshot echoes]
[snarling]
Issac, what are you doing?
[tense music playing]
-[yelling]
-[grunts]
[muffled grunting]
Look away.
[shouts]
Enough of this jungle shite.
Bloody, Bloody Mary!
[echoing] Bloody Mary!
[bird squawking]
I'm told you have a beautiful new family.
I wonder...
...do they know who you really are?
[tense music playing]
Does your boy?
Hear me, sonny.
We are not the ones
you should be afraid of.
[scattered chuckling]
Lay down your arms.
Let us make restitution
for your transgressions.
What say you, Mary?
[Ercell grunts]
[dramatic music playing]
[panting]
-[pirates whispering]
-[tense music playing]
All right, then.
Perhaps a barter...
...for the life of
Captain Theodore H. Bodden.
Even now he sits aboard my ship,
waiting in earnest.
A family reunion, then?
The cottage.
Dusk.
You and my gold.
Or it'll be his head at your feet.
[Elizabeth crying softly]
Acknowledge me, sailor!
Aye!
[birds squawking]
[animals screeching and squawking]
[Issac grunting]
[Elizabeth] Where are we going?
To the only safe place on the island.
[machete hacking]
Let's go.
[grunting]
Come.
[intriguing music playing]
[waves pounding against the bluff]
[bats squeaking]
[Issac] Whoa.
[Elizabeth scoffs]
[sizzling]
[sizzling]
[gasping]
What on earth?
It looks like a schooner.
[Ercell] Eyes up, sister.
Sister-in-law.
Watch your step.
Where did all this come from?
Here, there.
Mostly there.
[grunting]
-[Elizabeth] Ercell.
-[sighs]
Who was that horrible man?
And how are you so good at killing people?
His name is Francisco Connor.
He was a colonizer
for the East India Trading Company
and a notorious buccaneer.
Like the ones in my book?
No. Those are tales.
Real pirates are murderers, not heroes.
[pirates chattering]
She really as lethal as they say?
[Scout] Yeah.
Ask those poor buggers
we left in the swamp.
Mm. We be expecting extra coin
for this cock-up, Mr. Quartermaster?
Do your duty.
There'll be plenty to go around.
Well, I ain't afraid of no scag.
Big mouth
While you were sucking on your mum's teat,
that scag was a bona fide terror.
Had her own ship,
side by side with Connor.
Till she stabbed him, stole his gold
and disappeared.
[grunting]
So how do you know them?
Ercell.
[panting]
[tense music playing]
Whoa.
We were indentured servants.
[faint clamoring]
They attacked our ship,
slaughtered my parents and took me.
I was 12 years old.
You were raised...
[whispering] as a woman,
on a pirate ship? How...?
How is that even possible?

[pirates cheering]
I had to became someone else.
[muffled gunshot]
Bloody Mary?

Pull.
[strained grunting]
Does T.H. know about your... history?
Didn't marry me for my cooking.
[pirate shouting in French]
[whistles]
[pirate] Move it. He's waiting.
[Bodden] God's knife in your gut...
[grunting] murderous wretch!
[pirate shouting]
[Quartermaster chuckling]
Welcome home, Captain Bodden.
[Bodden quietly] Ercell.
[waves pounding against the bluff]
Buried treasure.
That's blood money.
No.
That is your inheritance.
[Issac] Same as the men from our house.
[Ercell] This gold is marked.
It was supposed to stay buried
till I was gone.
[metallic clinking]
Damn it, T.H.
[Elizabeth] This gold belongs to Connor?
[Ercell scoffs] He thinks everything
belongs to him.
Spent half my life with the brethren.
There's only one way to deal
with a man like Connor.
[grunts]
So you're a criminal?
This criminal is your only hope.
[Quartermaster] Victory is
within our reach.
I need to know something.
Speak freely, Mr. Lee.
With respect...
how is your mind?
Clear as winter starlight.
And our mission is still the gold?
These men are the most capable soldiers
from the four winds of the world.
I cannot abide them dying
to satisfy a lust
for vengeance.
The gold has no value
without freedom.
That is our true prize.
Bloody Mary is a means to an end.
Nothing more.
[Ercell grunts]
[sighs]
[gentle music playing]
-[tapping stick on box]
-[chuckles]
Bat guano.
It stinks.
That is the smell of greed.
-Oh.
-[gasps] Careful!
Can you both just please explore outside?
Issac.
Oh, watch your step.
Auntie, are they going to find us?
[Elizabeth] Don't fret.
It'll be all right.
[sighs heavily]
[intriguing music playing]
[clicks]
[pulsing music playing]
[jingling]
[clicks]
[clicking]

[breathes deeply]
[grunting]
I need you to prepare the sails.
We'll be ready for Papa
when you bring him back.
Look after each other.
Are you certain about this?
Don't touch anything while I'm gone.
[dramatic music playing]
[gold bars clattering]
[exhales]
[pirates shouting indistinctly
in distance]

[sighing]
[faint chanting]
Ooh, these'll fit nicely.
-[Scout grunts]
-[scattered laughter]
-[Scout growling] You want to try me, eh?
-[spitting]
[Connor] Avast...
Mr. Scout.
Take a walk.
My apologies, Captain.
The, uh... crew can get carried away.
How many?
How many of your men has she slayed?
[grunts]
Violence--
it's like her native tongue.
I recall three sailors went
into her cabin one night
looking for a Nantucket sleighride.
The next morning,
we found the best parts of them
dangling from the bowsprit.
[scattered laughter]
[chuckles]
Formidable woman.
Is that why she stuck a blade in you?
-Hmm?
-To own the truth...
...many a night have I harbored
that same quandary.
It vexed me.
For at the time, we were true partners...
[tense music playing]
...in every sense of the word.
You lie.
Ah, did she not tell you?
[Issac] Muma said not to touch anything.
And I say...
that we've earned the right
to break a few rules today.
[laughs softly]
[chuckles]
It's her logbook.
All these faraway lands.
Incredible things.
Do you believe she sailed the world?
[intriguing music playing]
I believe she did more than sail.
[pirate shouting indistinctly]
You there, take the Frenchman,
go around the house.
[pirates shouting]
[pirate speaks indistinctly]
I feel death
in the air.
Be wary,
my son.
[pirate] Sound off.
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
-[pirate grunts and gags]
-[blade slices]
[tense music playing]
[pirate talking indistinctly]
[pirate gags]
-[cries out]
-[neck snapping]
[pirates continue whistling,
clicking tongues]
[muffled grunting]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
[footsteps overhead]
[chuckles]
-[muffled groaning]
-[shushing]
[blade slicing]
[metallic creaking]
[pirate coughing in distance]
-[gasping]
-[door closes]
[coughing]
[cries out, groaning]
[lock clicks]
Ercell.
Ercell, you're here.
-[Ercell laughs quietly]
-Mm.
Elizabeth?
Issac?
Safe. At the caves.
I'm sorry I took some of our gold.
There's this doctor
that helps people like Issac.
No. No regrets.
[pirates talking indistinctly]
[gunner whistles, clicks tongue]
[speaks indistinctly]
[whistling, clicking tongue]
-[gunner whispering] Hey.
-[gun clicks]
[pirate in distance] Sound off!
-[pirates talking indistinctly]
-[pirate] She's in league with the devil.
[Quartermaster] Save your breath.
[pirates whispering]
Search every bush,
every berm.
-[pirate whistles]
-She's close.
[Connor grunts]
[Bodden] Connor has the only key.
[chains rattling]
[Ercell] I can't open it.
What about you and Connor?
[pirates shouting and whistling
in distance]
Things happen at sea.
What I did, I did to survive.
This changes nothing, mon trsor.
Nothing.
[crying]
My life began the day I met you.
[pirate] Boys, open up!
[banging on door]
We will have to make the trade.
Take this just in case.
I love you.
My wife.
My captain.
I love you.
[shouting, talking indistinctly]
[Connor grunting]
[gunshots outside]
Is it chow time already?
[Quartermaster] Captain,
we have her surrounded!
So ends your ill-fated rescue.
Rescue? [chuckles]
I just want to watch her kill you.
-[pirates shouting]
-[Ercell] Stay back.
You sailors wish to be rich or dead?
[Quartermaster] Stand fast, gents.
[Ercell] Is that you, Mr. Lee?
Quartermaster now.
I always knew you would do well.
Always knew you were wicked.
These red-asses know
what they signed up for?
[Quartermaster chuckling]
Provost, apprehend this rogue.
[provost] My pleasure.
-[explosion]
-[pirates exclaiming]
Damn it, woman!
That's right.
I fall, we all fall.
Ashes, ashes,
we all fall down.
Did ya miss me, darling?
You want this or not?
Aye.
Slowly.
-[grunting]
-[pirate shouts]
[Connor] Behold, gentlemen.
The notorious Bloody Mary
reduced to a fishwife.
That is not my name.
Oh, have you forgotten your real name?
The one on the manifest?
I know it.
I know everything about you.
[strained grunting]
-Mercy.
-Mercy.
-[pirate] Blimey.
-[pirates whispering]
Bring him.
[pirates chattering indistinctly]
-[pirate] Move.
-[Bodden] Get your filthy hands off me.
[Connor] Well, Captain...
...it's been a pleasure.
Hardly.
Oi, Bodden.
Why don't you take a couple of bars.
For the widows of your crew.
-[Ercell] Don't listen to him.
-[pirates chuckling]
Eyes on me.
Please.
Now, darling, to our other business.
The matter of your betrayal.
How shall we balance those scales?
-I took what I was owed.
-Owed?
When I found you,
-you were a weak little girl...
-Never weak.
...bound for a life of servitude
in some Englishman's brothel.
But I took pity on you. I saved you.
Made you powerful, strong.
And for that, you stabbed me in the ribs
and robbed me.
Sorry.
I was aiming for your heart.
[chuckles mirthlessly]
Then I failed to teach you proper.
A mistake I shall surely remedy...
...with your bandy-legged boy.
-No!
-[Bodden] Bastard!
-[grunting]
-[pirates shouting]
-[explosion]
-[screaming]
Get the bloody gold!
[pirate yelling]
[grunts]
Ercell!
-[explosion]
-[pirates screaming]
[pirates shouting and screaming]
[screaming]
-[Connor grunts]
-[Bodden cries out]
[screaming]
[Quartermaster yelling] Enough!
[grunting]
Wait. Wait!
Connor, I yield. I yield.
Your quarrel is with me.
Leave him be.
[quietly] Ercell.
Run.
[Ercell] I'll do anything you ask.
Between the ribs.
That's how it's done.
No. No!
[Ercell cries out]
[Ercell] No!
[strained grunting]
Mon trsor.
[gasping]
[somber music playing]
Hear my voice.
I'm here with you.
[gurgling breath]
[tense music playing]
[whimpering]
You!
[breathing heavily]
You think I would just let you slip away?
-[yells]
-[grunts]
[cries out in pain]
[grunts]
Why did you betray me?
Why couldn't you just
take the fucking gold?
That gold is to pay my crew.
What I came for
is the bounty on your head.
[scoffs]
[grunts]
[sizzling]
Fall back! Fall back!
-[pirate] Fire in the hole!
-[Ercell yelling]
-[explosion]
-[pirates yelling]
[pirates groaning]
[Ercell yelps]
[grunting]
[breathing heavily]
[Elizabeth] Listen to this.
T.H. was a dockhand.
They met here on Cayman Brac.
She was in hiding after stealing the gold
and fighting her way free
from Connor's fleet.
[intriguing music playing]
[grunting, breathing heavily]
[groaning]
[Elizabeth and Ercell] August 12th.
[Ercell] This tiny island is a paradise.
[crying out in pain]
[Ercell] I am finally free.
[breathing heavily, grunting]
[Ercell] Here, I shall forge a new life
and find a new purpose.
She changed her name to Ercell.
What is her real name?
Um...
[Issac] Can you read that?
[chuckles] No.
[bag thuds]
[grunting, breathing heavily]
-[muffled shouting]
-[pensive music playing]
[Quartermaster speaking indistinctly,
muffled]
[muffled] What is this?
[clearer] Captain, I said,
what in the ratbag shit is this?!
Our mission.
Our mission was the bars of gold,
now blown to dust!
Not your sick obsession with that woman.
Mind your tone, friend.
We've lost the gold.
We lost the bounty.
My boy is gone! For nothing!
And I will not throw another sailor's life
into the jaws of death
for this madness.
Madness?
That khat leaf muddled your brain.
You lack perspective, Quartermaster.
-Bring my boy.
-[pirate] Aye.
All hands, take our fallen to the ship!
[pirate] Quickly, go.
They deserve a proper burial.
Belay that order!
[murmuring]
[Quartermaster] I will then assemble
the remaining crew
and vote on how to proceed.
This campaign is over.
[pirates talking quietly]
-It's mutiny, then?
-[gun clicks]
The penalty is quite clear.
[Quartermaster] All these years,
to shoot me in the back?
[scoffs]
[grunts]
[murmuring]
Go to your ancestors.
[gunshot echoes]
[pirates murmuring]
Our dear quartermaster was unable to see
the true value of Bloody Mary.
The golden age of piracy is done.
Our kind has been betrayed.
We, who ran the waves red
for king and country...
...are now branded as criminals.
We filled their coffers,
built their colonies, but, alas...
...their modern world no longer
holds accord with our ways.
But despair not.
The bounty I seek
is worth more than any gold.
I hold here a decree from three empires
offering the captors of Bloody Mary
a lifetime pardon.
[murmuring]
No more running, no more scavenging.
All our sins washed away
in a court of law,
with immunity to sail the seas
like conquistadors of old.
On that, you have my oath!
-But...
-[flames whooshing]
...do I have yours?
Are we vagrants of the sea...
-[pirates grumbling]
-...cast asunder?
Or are we one mind,
with one hand, with keen steel
wielded by one captain
who gives purpose to your corrupt souls?
-[pirates] Aye!
-Libertas!
[pirates] Libertas!
-Libertas!
-Libertas!
[cheering]
Come!
[pirates chanting] Libertas!
Libertas! Libertas!
Libertas! Libertas! Libertas! Libertas!
[Connor] For the long night ahead.
[pirates shouting]
[grunting in pain]
-[Elizabeth] Forgive me.
-[groaning]
Muma, rum.
[panting]
[grunting in pain]
What happened?
[sniffles]
I failed you.
[moans]
[sniffles]
Your father is gone.
[Elizabeth and Issac crying]
[mournful music playing]
-[pirates talking indistinctly]
-[tense music playing]
[grunting]
Captain!
Steady on, lads.
I have as many friends in hell as you do.
[pirates shouting angrily]
[Ercell groans in pain]
They're gonna find us
and they're gonna kill us.
[paper rustling]
Did you really do
all these terrible things?
Yes.
I'm all that they say I am.
And worse.
That might be...
...but you are also a mother
and a sister.
And right now, we need all of you,
or we will not live this night.
[pensive music playing]
Is this your real name?
He took everything from you.
[pages rustling, closes book]
It's time to take it back.

[Ercell grunting] It's only a matter
of time till they find these caves.
We have to survive till sunrise
and then light the signal pyre.
Why not light it now?
Day is the best chance
for the British Navy to track the smoke.
What if they don't make it in time?
We could all escape in the catboat.
If I leave, Connor follows.
This only ends with the sand soaked
in his blood or mine.
You stay here. I need to prepare.
You don't have to do everything yourself.
[Issac] Yeah, Muma.
[pulsing music playing]
You do exactly as I say,
and no backchatting.
I never backchat.
Backchatting right now.
Listen carefully.
[Ercell] This place was built
as a stronghold
and to protect our family
if the past ever came calling.
[strained grunting]
I know this bluff inside and out.
Every tunnel, every choke point.
We'll lure them in,
split them up,
and wait for a clear shot at Connor.
Tonight...
you become soldiers.
Distract.
-Defend.
-[sniffing]
Destroy.
[grunts fiercely]
They came looking for Bloody Mary...
...and bloody is what they're gonna get.
[low, indistinct chatter]
[pirate] Blood on the vine.
Get the captain.
[sharp whistle]
Dead or alive, gentlemen.
[pirates talking indistinctly]
If anything happens,
I want you to take the catboat
and sail to the Big Island.
Look for the British regiment.
-Muma, I cannot sail.
-Yes, you can.
You know the charts,
you know the currents.
The sea is uncertain.
Listen to me, boy.
You could swim before you could stand.
You're a born sailor.
[Elizabeth] We'll be all right.
I'll light the pyre when it's safe.
[hinges creaking]
[Scout] Fan out, lads.
She's in here somewhere.
[talking indistinctly]
[whistles] Move.
Move!
-[quiet chatter, whistling]
-[tense music playing]
Turn that winch.
[creaking]
[clicking, booming]
-[pirates exclaiming]
-[bats squeaking]
[pirates talking indistinctly]
Open it.
Ready.
[grunting]
I see you.
-[grunts]
-[gunfire]
Crow's nest! Crow's nest!
-[Ercell] You blaggards want to play?
-[pirate] Go, go.
Go, go, go!
[gunfire]
-Go. We should go. We should go.
-[Scout] Break the blooming door down!
Let's go!
[Scout] Open it!
[Elizabeth whimpering]
[gunfire]
[pirates shouting]
[banging]
[sizzling]
[rapid popping]
[grunting]
[panting]
[pirate] Reload the musket!
-Ready!
-Go!
[grunts]
[pirates shouting]
[pirate] Ready!
-[pirate shouting in French]
-[gunfire continues]
Ready!
[speaking quietly in French]
[grunts]
[pirate] Eyes on crow's nest!
Ready!
-[explosion]
-[screaming]
[screaming continues]
[pirate shouts orders]
-[gun clicking empty]
-[pirates speaking quietly]
[panting]
[Ercell] I'm still here.
Come and die.
[whispering] Keep to the wall.
[talking indistinctly]
[bullet casings clattering]
[cylinder rotates, clicks]
[whispering] Let's go.
What about Muma?
Let me look.
[waves pounding against the bluff]
[breath trembling]
-[Scout growling]
-[screaming]
[Scout cackling]
-Got ya! Got ya!
-[screaming]
-[Issac yelling]
-[Scout screaming]
Go!
[panting, whimpering]
[growling]
-[Scout growling]
-[banging on door]
Stop.
-[hyperventilating]
-[banging stops]
[whispering indistinctly]
-[whistling]
-[gasping]
-[grunting and shouting]
-[gunfire]
-[screaming echoes]
-[gunfire in distance]
-[Ercell grunting, shouting]
-[gunfire continues]
Let's go, let's go!
Launch the catboat.
-I'll be right there. Please, go.
-No.
Issac, go. Please.
[Issac whimpering]
[Elizabeth whimpering]
Why, ain't we a pair?
[Elizabeth cries out]
[screaming]
Oh, your boy screamed the same way.
Come here! [growling]
[grunts]
[panting]
[Scout groaning]
[raspy breathing]
That... does not belong to you.
-[pirates talking indistinctly]
-[gunfire in distance]
[pirate murmurs] It's bloody dark.
-[gunfire]
-[grunting, groaning]
[pirate shouting]
[cries out]
-[pirates shouting]
-[gunfire continues]
-[pirate] Careful.
-[Ercell yelling]
[talking, shouting]
[grunting]
[Connor] Mary!
[pirate] Hold your fir-- [grunts]
-[waves breaking]
-[wind howling]
[quiet, tense music playing]
[laughing]
Grand.
Bloody grand.
It's just us now, darling.
[breathing heavily]
How about we step into the light?
Settle this like buccaneers?
To death or yield.
[strained grunting]
[grunting]
Auntie, look.
She did it.
[waves pounding against the bluff]
[seagulls squawking]
[waves pounding]
[Ercell] Smoke in the wind.
You're the last man I expected
to call the cavalry.
Let 'em come.
They'll find an island harboring
a wanted criminal...
...and a valiant crew that died
bringing her to justice.
-[Ercell yelling]
-[dramatic music playing]
[grunting]
Stings, eh?
[grunting]
[yelling]
Stings, huh?
[grunting]
[Connor cries out]
[strained grunting]
[screams]
Yield.
-Never.
-[growling]
[cries out]
[Connor grunting]
[screaming]
[panting]
[Connor breathing heavily]
[groans in frustration]
Yield.
[panting]
[groaning]
Between the ribs.
[suspenseful music playing]
May the heavens
take pity on you.
-[gunshots]
-[Ercell yells]
-[Connor grunts]
-[gun clicking]
-[Ercell yelling fiercely]
-[dramatic music playing]
-[grunting fiercely]
-[groaning]
[both breathing heavily]
[whispering] My Mary.
[groaning weakly]
[pensive music playing]
[breathing heavily]
Ercell!
-Can you stand?
-[groaning]
-It's all right, it's all right.
-[screams]
-Hey, it's all right.
-[gasping]
-[grunting in pain]
-I-I'm sorry.
[Elizabeth speaks quietly]
It's all right.
Thank you.
You're my sister.
You all right?
Ercell.
Mariam.
My name is Mariam.
[exhales]
[hopeful music playing]
[bell clanging in distance]
[excited chattering]

[indistinct shouting]

[music stops]
My barque's in the harbor
My soul's in the bay
And both will set sail
-at the dawn of day
-[gentle music playing]
But hold me close
till dawn
till day
and deep in your heart
I will stay

The stain of your letters
the words that I say
with time and time
shall fade away
But hold me close
till dawn
till day
and deep in your heart
I will stay
[driving beat playing]



[music fades]
[gentle instrumental of "Ercell's Lullaby"
playing]




[music fades]