Universal has officially dropped the trailer for Mike Flanagan’s highly anticipated The Exorcist: Martyrs. And holy hell, it looks amazing, but it is from Flanagan, so you know it’s gonna be good.
An Ensemble Cast
Scarlett Johansson stars alongside Jacobi Jupe and Diane Lane. Furthermore, Sasha Calle and John Leguizamo join the ensemble cast. Flanagan also reunites with several frequent collaborators. Returning actors include Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater, Gil Bellows, Carl Lumbly, Robert Longstreet, and Matt Biedel. Samantha Sloyan, Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr., Benjamin Pajak, and Carla Gugino complete the impressive lineup.
A Fresh Take on the Franchise
The story focuses on NYPD Homicide Detective Julie Miller (Johansson). Miller arrests an infamous serial killer known as “Father Sunday,” played by John Leguizamo. After witnessing his execution, she experiences disturbing events as evil forces target her twelve-year-old son. Two priests, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Laurence Fishburne, step in as the case grows increasingly supernatural.
Inspired by the third installment, The Exorcist III: Legion, the narrative blends procedural crime investigation with demonic horror. However, Flanagan noted that the project offers an original narrative rather than a remake of older films. He aims to expand the universe in a completely distinct direction. If you missed The Exorcist III, the best film in the franchise besides the original, you can watch it now on Prime Video.
The Trailer
The trailer opens with a familiar sight: the stairs from the first film. At the top stands Johansson. The trailer then flashes to a crime scene where the body of a boy is hanging upside down. Next, the detective sits talking to a priest about serial killers and how they claimed to be possessed. The carnage expands with another victim, but it continues to grow darker still as she realizes something is not right with her son.
While The Exorcist: Martyrs won’t hit theaters until March 12, 2027, the first trailer teases a dark, intense new entry to the franchise.
