Mike Flanagan’s The Exorcist: Martyrs has released its first trailer, giving audiences a closer look at the new horror film starring Scarlett Johansson and confirming its theatrical arrival for March 12, 2027.
The trailer was unveiled during New York Comic Con and released online as Universal Pictures begins its campaign for Flanagan’s new entry in the long-running franchise.
New York Comic Con is taking place in New York from October 8 to 11, 2026.
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Mike Flanagan takes The Exorcist in a new direction
The film is written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who is also producing the project.
His official film page lists The Exorcist: Martyrs as a 2027 feature and names Johansson, Jacobi Jupe, Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle and John Leguizamo among the cast.
The project is being presented as a new story within The Exorcist universe rather than a direct continuation of 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.
That distinction gives Flanagan room to introduce a new set of characters and a separate supernatural mystery while retaining the franchise’s central concern with faith, evil and possession.
Scarlett Johansson plays detective Julie Miller
Johansson plays New York City detective Julie Miller, a character whose earlier work brought her into contact with a satanic serial killer known as Father Sunday.
According to the film’s released plot description, Miller’s past case returns in disturbing fashion when her name appears in blood at an altar.
She is then drawn into an investigation involving a wider history of killers and an evil that reaches beyond an ordinary criminal conspiracy, according to the film’s plot coverage.
Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Father William, a former prison chaplain who heard Father Sunday’s final confession, while Sasha Calle appears as rookie detective Gina Restrepo.
Jacobi Jupe plays Max, Miller’s son, adding a family dimension to a case that threatens to move from professional danger into her personal life.
What the first trailer reveals
The footage establishes a crime-investigation framework before pushing the story into supernatural territory.
Johansson’s detective is shown confronting evidence connected to Father Sunday, while Ejiofor’s priest offers knowledge that may help explain the case’s religious and demonic elements.
The trailer also emphasizes churches, blood-marked clues and a series of killings, suggesting that the film will combine police procedural elements with the franchise’s traditional possession mythology.
Universal’s synopsis describes a possible connection between a lineage of serial killers, including historical criminal figures, and an evil capable of corrupting the people closest to Miller, as reported in coverage of the trailer.
The Exorcist: Martyrs release date and cast
The Exorcist: Martyrs is scheduled to open in theatres on Friday, March 12, 2027.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Exorcist: Martyrs |
| Director and writer | Mike Flanagan |
| Lead actor | Scarlett Johansson |
| Additional cast | Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sasha Calle, Jacobi Jupe, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne and John Leguizamo |
| Release date | March 12, 2027 |
| Format | Theatrical release |
The film is produced through the Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, Morgan Creek Entertainment and Red Room Pictures banners.
Universal’s official movie page currently lists the film’s theatrical premiere as March 12, 2027.
Why the film matters to the franchise
The Exorcist remains one of horror cinema’s most recognizable properties, but the franchise has taken several different creative paths since the original 1973 film.
Flanagan’s version arrives after The Exorcist: Believer, which was intended to begin a new trilogy but was followed by major changes to the franchise’s plans.
Rather than continuing that storyline, The Exorcist: Martyrs is positioned as a fresh starting point with new characters, a new investigation and a filmmaker closely associated with atmospheric supernatural drama.
Flanagan’s previous horror work includes Doctor Sleep, Hush, Gerald’s Game, Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher, while his television adaptation of Carrie began streaming on Prime Video in October 2026.
The new film therefore adds another major project to a busy period for the director, who is moving between feature films, television adaptations and other genre productions.
What happens next
Universal is expected to release additional marketing materials before the film reaches theatres, including more footage and expanded details about Miller’s investigation.
The central question for the film will be how far the story moves from a serial-killer investigation into a conflict involving possession and demonic influence.
For now, the trailer confirms that The Exorcist: Martyrs will use a detective-led structure while giving Flanagan a new opportunity to explore the franchise’s religious horror foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will The Exorcist: Martyrs be released?
The film is scheduled to open in theatres on March 12, 2027.
Who directed The Exorcist: Martyrs?
Mike Flanagan wrote and directed the film.
Who stars in The Exorcist: Martyrs?
The cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sasha Calle, Jacobi Jupe, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne and John Leguizamo.
Is The Exorcist: Martyrs a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer?
It is being presented as a new story within The Exorcist universe rather than a direct continuation of The Exorcist: Believer.
What is The Exorcist: Martyrs about?
Scarlett Johansson plays detective Julie Miller, who investigates a case linked to a satanic serial killer and encounters evidence of a much larger supernatural threat.
Fact-Checked: Key release, cast, production and plot details were checked against Universal Pictures’ official movie information and Mike Flanagan’s official project page.
Disclaimer: Some plot details remain limited until Universal releases additional official story information.