The three brothers Harry, Doug (played by Frank Langella), and Modi are active in the Caribbean, each holding one third of a treasure map. Doug, wanting to monopolize the treasure, severely injures and kills Harry. Harry's daughter, Morgan (played by Geena Davis), takes over the pirate ship Morning Star, inheriting her father's desire for revenge and treasure hunting. Morgan removes the treasure map from her father's scalp but finds herself unable to decipher the Latin on it and lands on an island looking for help. There, she encounters the habitual thief, Shaw (played by Matthew Modine), who has been sold into slavery by the authorities. Morgan purchases Shaw for his translation skills and soon shows her fierce nature as she is pursued by the officials. Morgan and her group find Modi, but unexpectedly, Doug appears. In the chaos, Modi is killed, and Shaw claims the second treasure map for himself. Morgan punishes Shaw for his betrayal, but cannot shake the relentless pursuit of Doug. Ultimately, her crew mutinies, and Morgan loses the Morning Star. Although Shaw helps Morgan discover the location of the treasure on Throat-Slit Island, obtaining the treasure proves difficult under the siege of Doug and the officials.