The Bluff

Stage23 helped reinvent coastal regions of Queensland into a 19th century Caribbean pirate stomping ground. The Bluff is a historic, Cayman Island set period thriller which Stage23 helped bring to life with over 70 VFX shots including a mix of creatures, FX, pyro, digital environments and matte paintings.

Stage23 recreated and enhanced elaborate pirate cave interiors, including pyrotechnic beats and detailed fight sequence injury work, while ensuring Queensland’s vistas played seamlessly as the Caribbean.

Much of the biggest buccaneer set pieces are driven by Stage23’s VFX work including the key pirate army home invasion sequence, which includes a bloody and destructive chase through an intricate bluff cave system which is rigged with explosives, hidden weapons, goods and coveted chests of gold. Stage23 brought the underground lair to life with CG bat work and a coordinated series of triggered traps—integrating explosions and fire throughout the caves to support the story’s escalating stakes.