Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales movie poster
Movie Review

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

May 26, 2017 129 minutes PG-13 English
Quick Verdict While it may offer "old wine in a new bottle," this fifth installment delivers highly entertaining swashbuckling action, spectacular visual effects, and a desperate, emotionally grounded performance by Johnny Depp as the iconic Captain Jack Sparrow.
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Synopsis

Down on his luck and facing a terrifying new threat, Captain Jack Sparrow must embark on a dangerous quest to find the legendary Trident of Poseidon. He is relentlessly pursued by Captain Salazar, an undead pirate hunter who has escaped the Devil's Triangle seeking revenge on all pirates.

Plot

A severely down-on-his-luck Captain Jack Sparrow discovers that the winds of ill-fortune are blowing even stronger when deadly ghost sailors, led by his old nemesis Captain Salazar, escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that grants its possessor total control over the seas.

To find it, he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth, a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry Turner, a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy who seeks the Trident to free his father, Will Turner, from the curse of the Flying Dutchman.

Ending Explained

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This section discusses the ending and major plot details.

Jack, Henry, Carina, and Barbossa successfully locate the Trident of Poseidon at the bottom of the ocean. When Salazar manages to possess Henry and grab the Trident, they realize that destroying it is the only way to break all the curses of the sea.

Henry shatters the Trident, instantly restoring Salazar and his crew to mortal men and lifting Will Turner’s curse. As the ocean begins to collapse in on them, the crew is pulled to safety by the anchor of the Black Pearl.

Salazar tries to climb the anchor chain to kill Jack, prompting Barbossa to sacrifice his own life, plunging to his death to take Salazar down and save Carina—who he had just realized was his biological daughter.

With the curses broken, Will Turner is finally reunited with Elizabeth Swann on land. However, in a post-credits scene, a sleeping Will and Elizabeth are seemingly approached by the shadow of the resurrected Davy Jones, leaving the door open for future adventures.

What We Think About This Movie

What We Liked

Johnny Depp's emotionally grounded, desperate, and nuanced performance as Jack Sparrow.
Javier Bardem’s terrifying and compelling portrayal of the undead Captain Salazar.
Incredible visual effects, particularly the design of Salazar's ghostly crew and the undead sharks.
Witty dialogue and the consistent, signature humor the franchise is known for.
A strong emotional arc for Captain Barbossa, delivered brilliantly by Geoffrey Rush.

What We Didn't Like

The romance between Henry and Carina feels rushed and lacks the depth of Will and Elizabeth's love story.
Certain highly anticipated moments, like the freeing of the Black Pearl, feel rushed and anticlimactic.
The plot sometimes leans too heavily into melodrama rather than straightforward pirate action.

Who Should Watch

Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Audiences looking for a visually dazzling, popcorn-entertainment adventure.
Fans of supernatural maritime legends and spectacular CGI battles.

Who Should Skip

Viewers looking for a completely fresh or groundbreaking narrative outside the established franchise formula.
Audiences who experienced franchise fatigue with the previous installments.

Movie Details

Release Date May 26, 2017
Runtime 129 minutes
Content Rating PG-13
Language English
Country United States
Director Joachim Rønning, Espen Sandberg
Main Cast Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Geoffrey Rush, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, Kevin McNally, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley
Reviewer Alex Carter
Last Checked October 3, 2026
Last Updated October 7, 2026

Where to Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in the USA

Frequently Asked Questions About Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales

Is Salazar's Revenge the same movie as Dead Men Tell No Tales?

Yes. The film was released as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales in the US, and Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge in many international markets.

Who plays Captain Salazar?

Academy Award-winning actor Javier Bardem plays the terrifying undead pirate hunter, Captain Armando Salazar.

Is Paul McCartney in this movie?

Yes, legendary Beatles musician Paul McCartney makes a brief, humorous cameo as Uncle Jack, a relative of Jack Sparrow.

Does Orlando Bloom return in this movie?

Yes, Orlando Bloom reprises his role as Will Turner, who is bound to the Flying Dutchman.