Caymanian director Frank E. Flowers scored a global hit with his Brac-based pirate adventure ‘The Bluff’, topping worldwide streaming charts in the week of its release.
Flowers celebrated the milestone by signing a new deal with the same production company for another major project.
The movie generated about 300 million minutes of viewing time in its first reported tracking period, according to industry charts cited by Variety and widely shared online.
‘The Bluff’, starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, topped the weekly “Streaming Originals: Film” chart across all platforms, ahead of Netflix titles ‘Accused’ (213 million viewing minutes) and ‘Firebreak’ (177 million).
The ranking aggregates viewing across major streaming services, meaning the film generated more streaming watch time than any other new original movie released on streaming that week.
While the chart does not include theatrical releases or older catalogue films, the performance suggests the movie was among the most watched films globally during that period.
“God is good,” said Flowers as he reflected on the reception the movie has received at home and abroad.
“We debuted at number one in 28 countries, including the US, and not just number one movie, but number one in content.”
That ranking includes television series and films across multiple platforms, including Netflix and Apple, as well as Amazon Prime Video, which distributed ‘The Bluff’.
Flowers said he was grateful to Cinestar Productions, AGBO and Amazon, as well as his creative collaborators, for backing a project that did not fit a conventional Hollywood formula.
“It wasn’t an easy one to get made … it’s period, it’s a woman of colour, it’s a cultural story, it’s authentic, it’s raw.
“I’m really happy that their faith in us was rewarded.”
The success puts Flowers, 47, into a new tier of filmmakers, potentially opening new commercial and creative opportunities.
Flowers and his collaborators have already signed on for another project with AGBO, the production company founded by filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo.
Despite the breakthrough, Flowers said he is staying focused on the next challenge.
“You definitely got to take a second to soak it in … but honestly you get up the next day and grind and work just like before it came out.”
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Now, I don’t want to rain on Frank E. Flowers’ parade or rate the movie.
Im my opinion, it’s a home invasion and a boss-super-lady movie, rather than a pirate film where the sea barely matters.
I have questions about the movie industry in general.
It is not just my opinion that the film industry is increasingly fixated on sex, violence, dysfunctional relationships, and apocalyptic scenarios. It is a fact.
Yet the industry “celebrates” violence for profit, which is socially irresponsible.
Based on the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, it is largely true that the 2026 Oscar nominees were heavily characterized by themes of violence, social dysfunction, and genre-driven apocalyptic or horror scenarios, marking a significant shift toward “spooky” and “high-octane” cinema.
The question is Why? and Who is the audience?
Shouldn’t the movie makers and actors exercise at least some social and moral responsibility and create movies that help to make this world a better place, promote positive change and education? Producing entertaining, high-grossing films that are Inspirational and spirit moving is not easy, requiring a truly talented team of filmmakers.
When was the last time a clever, witty, intelligent, and humorous film has been made?
The Birdcage (1996) comes to mind – a hilarious, heartfelt classic that blends farce with sincere emotional moments. The film grossed approximately $185.3 million worldwide and held the #1 spot at the U.S. box office for four consecutive weeks.
or
Hero (1992) a “heartwarming” and, at times, tear-jerking film that encourages viewers to look past the surface to find humanity and courage in surprising places.
or
the 1991 comedy What About Bob? that offers several positive, humanistic messages despite its farcical depiction of mental illness.
Came here to say this. Not sure that a movie where the promotional photo has blood spattered all over an actress’s face, and has such violent and sexual themes, really honors God either. Honors the devil maybe, those are the things he likes.
Make a violent movie and use a movie star and you’ll be at the top
Congrats Frank E!