The Exorcist: Martyrs – First Trailer for Mike Flanagan's Horror Movie Starring Scarlett Johansson!

It's finally here: the first trailer for the new "Exorcist" movie! "The Exorcist: Martyrs" stars none other than superstar Scarlett Johansson in the lead role. What can horror fans expect from director Mike Flanagan's new film? The trailer offers a first glimpse...

The First Trailer

The iconic staircase, Scarlett Johansson as an NYPD detective, John Leguizamo as a serial killer, and a dark atmosphere. The first trailer for the new "Exorcist" has an atmosphere reminiscent of crime thrillers like "Seven" or "The Silence of the Lambs"—two films to which director Mike Flanagan compares his new movie. But see for yourself! You can watch the trailer here:

Here's what The Exorcist: Martyrs is about

One thing is already clear: "The Exorcist: Martyrs" is neither a traditional sequel nor a remake of William Friedkin's 70s classic. Director Flanagan had announced beforehand that it would be a new story set in the "Exorcist" universe. The story also centers on entirely new characters. And some plot details are already known: When her name, smeared in blood, appears at the scene of a gruesome murder, investigator Julie Miller is pulled back into the past and encounters an eerie force that connects generations of serial killers.

The Cast of The Exorcist: Martyrs

As the trailer shows, Johansson plays the aforementioned NYPD detective. "Backrooms" star Chiwetel Ejiofor and "Matrix" icon Laurence Fishburne appear as priests. John Leguizamo plays the serial killer Father Sunday, who is in custody. Jacobi Jupe plays Max, the 12-year-old son of Johansson's character. Diane Lane takes on the role of Julie's mother. Additionally, "Supergirl" actress Sasha Calle plays NYPD detective Gina Restrepo.

Director Mike Flanagan Reveals Some Details

Mike Flanagan revealed further details in an interview with Esquire magazine:

"John Leguizamo plays a serial killer who [Scarlett Johansson's character, Julie Miller] apprehends very early in the story, and she's there to witness his execution, which doesn't go exactly as they expect it to."

Flanagan also describes his narrative approach. In "The Exorcist: Martyrs," the director blends the horror genre with a serial killer thriller. While developing the movie, Flanagan asked himself:

"How can we explore [the ideas of the movie] in a serial-killer thriller in a way that starts to combine these subgenres a little, that takes what we love about a movie like 'Se7en' or 'The Silence of the Lambs' and combines it with what we love about a movie like 'The Exorcist'? We're talking about humans under the influence—or in some cases direct control—of evil itself."

The theatrical release date

Flanagan also emphasizes that his story is "unique within the franchise." His film takes a different direction than the previous "Exorcist" installments. This builds anticipation leading up to the theatrical release: On March 12, 2027, you'll be able to see "The Exorcist: Martyrs" on the big screen!

The Origin: William Friedkin's The Exorcist

In 1973, William Friedkin's "The Exorcist" caused a sensation worldwide and made horror film history. The film tells the story of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), who appears to be possessed by a demonic force. Her mother, Chris (Ellen Burstyn), eventually turns to two Catholic priests who attempt to save the girl through an exorcism. "The Exorcist" became an international phenomenon, shocked movie audiences, and went on to become one of the most famous and influential horror films of all time. To this day, the film is considered a milestone of the genre.

The Exorcist Universe

Friedkin's original was followed by several other films. "The Exorcist II: The Heretic" hit theaters in 1977, followed in 1990 by "The Exorcist III," which once again drew on characters and events from the first film. Two prequel films were released in 2004 and 2005: "The Exorcist: The Beginning" and "Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist."

In 2016, the franchise also continued as a television series: "The Exorcist" ran for two seasons and told a new story within the familiar universe. In 2023, the franchise returned to the big screen with "The Exorcist: Believer." However, this film is not related to Flanagan's "The Exorcist: Martyrs."