With its debut at South by Southwest, The Pirate King delivers a surprisingly intimate character study anchored by a committed dramatic turn from Rob Riggle. Known largely for broad comedy in films such as Step Brothers, The Hangover and 21 Jump Street, Riggle shifts into serious territory with confidence, portraying a Marine veteran struggling to rebuild his life after war.
The film follows Todd Gillis, a former Marine grappling with PTSD, sobriety, and financial instability after returning from Afghanistan. His situation worsens when a custody battle threatens his relationship with his daughter Emmylou. Facing court scrutiny and personal instability, Todd searches for proof — both for the judge and for himself — that he can still be the father she deserves.
Director Josh Plasse builds the story around that central tension: a man trying to reclaim stability while the emotional residue of combat continues to shape his daily life.
Rob Riggle’s Performance Carries the Film
Riggle’s portrayal of Todd Gillis carries emotional credibility that many actors struggle to achieve in similar roles. His real-life military service adds a layer of authenticity that grounds the character without turning the performance into sentimentality.
Rather than dramatizing PTSD through spectacle, the film focuses on the quiet disruptions of everyday life. Sudden noises, shifting environments, and routine moments can derail Todd’s sense of control. Plasse frames these episodes with restraint, allowing the audience to experience how trauma lingers beneath the surface of normalcy.
Riggle never overplays the role. Instead, he presents Todd as a man constantly calculating how to hold himself together.
An Unlikely Community
The story takes an unexpected turn when Todd joins a pirate reenactment group — a community his daughter adores — in an effort to demonstrate stability before his custody hearing.
What initially feels like an offbeat narrative device becomes the emotional center of the film. The pirate crew offers Todd something he lost after leaving the Marines: belonging.
Matt Barr, playing pirate captain David, commits fully to the role’s theatricality while still grounding the character in sincerity. His enthusiasm gives the group an infectious energy that contrasts with Todd’s internal struggle.
Within this unlikely circle, Todd begins to rediscover the value of camaraderie and shared purpose.
A Scene-Stealing Young Performance
The film’s emotional anchor ultimately rests with Adele Abinante, who plays Todd’s daughter Emmylou.
Abinante brings natural warmth and charm to the role, creating a believable bond with Riggle that elevates the film’s central relationship. Their scenes feel lived-in rather than scripted, capturing the small gestures and awkward humor that define real parent-child interactions.
Emmylou’s innocence also underscores the stakes of the custody battle. She simply wants to spend time with her father. The legal and emotional complexities surrounding that desire become the film’s most affecting element.
A Balanced Portrait of Divorce
The screenplay avoids easy antagonists. Elizabeth Tulloch portrays Todd’s ex-wife Tess as a protective mother navigating the realities of co-parenting with someone still grappling with trauma.
Her frustration feels justified. She wants stability for her daughter, even as she recognizes the love between Emmylou and her father.
That balance adds maturity to the film. Instead of framing the custody conflict as a battle between good and bad parents, the story acknowledges how complicated family dynamics can become when mental health is involved.
Jordana Brewster’s Grounded Supporting Turn
Jordana Brewster plays Laura, a member of the pirate community who develops a connection with Todd.
Laura is neither a romantic cliché nor a simple narrative device. Brewster portrays her as a practical single mother juggling responsibilities while maintaining empathy for Todd’s situation.
Her presence introduces one of the film’s most memorable lines of dialogue.
“Don’t chase. Attract.”
The advice resonates not only with Todd’s personal journey but with the broader theme of rebuilding identity after loss.
Tone and Craft
At just under two hours, the film occasionally lingers longer than necessary in a few scenes. Still, the tonal shifts between humor and emotional gravity reflect the unpredictability of living with trauma.
Plasse’s direction emphasizes character over spectacle. The cinematography favors naturalistic settings and restrained framing, reinforcing the grounded tone of the story.
The result is a film that feels modest in scale but emotionally sincere.
A Tribute to Veterans and Families
Inspired by many individuals including veterans and their families, the real Loose Cannon Company pirate crew, and the real Pirate King Captain Todd Willis, the film ultimately functions as a tribute.
It acknowledges the complicated journey veterans face when transitioning back into civilian life. More importantly, it recognizes the families who navigate that journey alongside them.
By the film’s conclusion, The Pirate King makes its message clear: healing rarely arrives through grand gestures. More often, it begins with community, patience, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
The Pirate King premiered at SXSW 2026.
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