Pirates (2022) Plot Summary & Ending Explained

In 1659, amidst the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, the notorious aging English pirate Captain Thomas Bartholomew Red, played by Walter Matthau, finds himself adrift with his teenage cabin boy, Jean-Baptiste, affectionately known as Frog, portrayed by Cris Campion. Their ordeal begins when they are rescued from a dire situation on a raft by a Spanish galleon named Neptune. However, their relief is short-lived as they are promptly imprisoned in the brig, where they meet the ship's cook, Boomako, represented by Olu Jacobs, who has been wrongfully accused of poisoning Neptune's captain, Linares, in hopes of stealing a priceless treasure—the golden throne of the Aztec King Catapec Anahuac.

As fate would have it, Captain Red becomes fixated on claiming the throne for himself. Meanwhile, Frog's heart is snagged by Maria-Dolores, acted by Charlotte Lewis, the niece of Maracaibo's governor, who is aboard the ship as a passenger. The unfolding drama intensifies when Captain Linares suddenly dies, leading to Don Alfonso de la Torré, played by Damien Thomas, seizing command as the ruthless first mate. Don Alfonso, harboring unreciprocated affections for Maria-Dolores, soon turns hostile towards Red and Frog, sentencing them to death alongside other crew members who dare to mutiny.

Yet, displaying clever cunning, Captain Red devises an audacious escape plan during the ensuing chaos. This sparks a rebellion that resonates throughout the ship as many crew members rally against their oppressive captors. During this tumultuous time, Frog bravely saves Maria-Dolores from a dangerous situation, solidifying her interest in him—an act that unexpectedly leads him to slay a fellow mutineer in the process.

Eventually asserting their control, Captain Red steers the Neptune to a hidden pirate cove managed by Dutch, played by Roy Kinnear, an old ally. Celebrations ensue, and amidst the festivities, Don Alfonso and his men are imprisoned. However, during the revelry, chaos erupts as a hostage unleashes the officers, leading to a dramatic recapture of the Neptune, which sails away with the coveted golden throne.

Undeterred, Captain Red, along with Frog and Boomako, embarks on a treacherous night mission to the governor’s residence, taking Maria-Dolores hostage to leverage her wealthy uncle into trading her for the throne. The governor's initial apathy dissipates once Captain Red resorts to torture, compelling him to assist and provide documents that would allow them to seize the throne under the guise of the governor’s messenger. However, the plan takes a dangerous turn as they struggle to transport the heavy throne out of the bay and are soon captured by Don Alfonso, who throws them into prison.

A surprise visit from Maria-Dolores ignites feelings between her and Frog, and they share a kiss that unfolds in the damp cell. Yet, their reunion is short-lived as the Neptune sets sail for Spain, with Don Alfonso now elevated to captain. News reaches the imprisoned pirates, igniting a fierce assault on the prison, leading to an exhilarating jailbreak and a chaotic pursuit of the Neptune.

A climactic battle ensues where Captain Red sinks his own ship to prevent retreat and plots a daring theft of the throne. As the battle rages, Frog finds himself caught between his loyalty to Captain Red and his feelings for Maria-Dolores. Ultimately, he remains steadfast, turning away from the fight with Don Alfonso to support his captain.

As the flames consume the Neptune, its crew flees in desperation while Red, Frog, and Boomako escape with the throne. In a moment of chaos and betrayal, Frog lashes out, and in a tragic twist, Boomako is shot while trying to protect them.

The film culminates poignantly, echoing its opening sequence, with Captain Red and Frog once again isolated on a small boat, now in possession of the golden throne, left to reflect on their tumultuous journey through the unpredictable waters of the Atlantic.

In the ending of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Will Turner kills Davy Jones, freeing him from his cursed captaincy of the Flying Dutchman. However, this act comes with a heavy cost: Will automatically inherits Jones's role as the new captain of the Dutchman, which means he is destined to spend ten years ferrying souls to the afterlife, just as Jones did. Before setting off, Will leaves Elizabeth and their newborn child behind, embarking on his lonely voyage. The emotional weight is heightened because Will had many chances earlier in the story to use Jones’s method of sneaking onto dry land—by simply standing in a bucket of water—and avoid this forced exile, but the film does not explore or explain this option. This oversight makes the ending feel less like a tragic sacrifice and more like a contrived plot device to give the story a somber finale. Interestingly, Davy Jones’s ability to visit land by standing in water challenges the supposed rules about the Dutchman’s curse, yet the film’s logic around this is inconsistent and confusing. As a result, the ending's supposed tragedy—Will’s forced separation from his loved ones—loses some of its emotional impact due to these plot inconsistencies. While the sequel later shows Elizabeth and Will reuniting, the original story’s portrayal of their long separation seems unnecessary and more driven by storytelling convenience, rather than logical progression. Ultimately, the ending hinges on perceived sacrifice, but the unresolved plot holes and questionable choices make it feel more like a story moment designed to evoke sadness rather than a fully coherent conclusion.