Scarlett Johansson is stepping into the world of supernatural horror with The Exorcist: Martyrs, the latest installment in the iconic Exorcist franchise. The newly released trailer offers a glimpse into the terrifying events awaiting audiences as the series begins a new chapter.
Written and directed by Mike Flanagan, the film is produced by Jason Blum under the Blumhouse–Atomic Monster banner. Johansson leads an ensemble cast featuring Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jacobi Jupe, Sasha Calle, Hamish Linklater, Carl Lumbly, John Gallagher Jr., Benjamin Pajak, Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, and Laurence Fishburne.
The story follows Johansson as Detective Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective and single mother whose past returns to haunt her. Thirteen years earlier, Julie brought down a satanic serial killer. However, a new series of murders forces her to revisit the disturbing case as she begins uncovering possible connections to her past. The investigation takes an even darker turn when her 12-year-old son becomes the target of an unseen demonic entity.
The supporting cast also plays a crucial role in the story. Diane Lane portrays Julie’s mother, while Jacobi Jupe plays her son. Chiwetel Ejiofor takes on the role of a prison chaplain struggling with a crisis of faith. Laurence Fishburne appears as a man of faith, and Sasha Calle plays Julie’s detective partner.
The Exorcist: Martyrs arrives after a major shift in the franchise’s plans. Two previously planned films intended to continue the story introduced in The Exorcist: Believer were canceled following the film’s disappointing critical reception and box-office performance. Flanagan’s new installment represents another direction for the long-running horror series.
Universal Pictures is scheduled to release The Exorcist: Martyrs in theaters on March 12, 2027. The film was originally slated for April 2025 before being delayed to March 13, 2026. It was subsequently removed from Universal’s release schedule in mid-2025 before receiving its current release date.
With Johansson leading the cast and Flanagan at the helm, The Exorcist: Martyrs promises a chilling blend of crime investigation, family drama, and supernatural horror as a detective confronts a terrifying force threatening her own family.
Email: neill@outloudculture.com
