Universal Pictures and Blumhouse have officially unveiled the title for director Mike Flanagan’s upcoming entry in the iconic horror franchise: The Exorcist: Martyrs. Scheduled to hit theaters on March 12, 2027, the film marks a radical departure from traditional possession narratives by blending supernatural horror with a dark serial-killer crime procedural.
The project stars Scarlett Johansson as NYPD homicide detective Julie Miller, a single mother facing an ancient supernatural evil while investigating a terrifying homicide case. According to early details from Flanagan, the film moves the boundaries of the franchise by stepping away from standard bedroom exorcisms and exploring human behavior under the direct control of malevolent forces.
Cast and Creative Team Behind The Exorcist: Martyrs
Mike Flanagan is writing, directing, and producing The Exorcist: Martyrs alongside Jason Blum and original franchise producer David Robinson. Executive producers on the film include Alexandra Magistro and Ryan Turek. The movie is produced by Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and Morgan Creek Entertainment in association with Red Room Pictures.
The star-studded ensemble cast features several notable actors stepping into pivotal roles:
- Scarlett Johansson as Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective and single mother.
- John Leguizamo as Father Sunday, a serial killer apprehended by detective Miller.
- Jacobi Jupe as Julie Miller’s 12-year-old son.
- Sasha Calle as a fellow detective working alongside Miller.
- Chiwetel Ejiofor and Laurence Fishburne as priests drawn into the dark investigation.
A Fresh Direction for The Exorcist Franchise
Universal invested heavily in the franchise in 2021, acquiring the rights for $400 million. However, subsequent attempts to revitalize the series-specifically David Gordon Green’s 2023 film The Exorcist: Believer-fell short with both critics and audiences, grossing $137 million worldwide and prompting the studio to scrap planned sequel trilogies.
Flanagan was subsequently brought in to steer the brand back on track with total creative freedom. Rather than attempting a direct remake or retread of William Friedkin’s 1973 classic, Flanagan designed The Exorcist: Martyrs to tell a completely unique story within the overarching cinematic universe.
“We’re talking about humans under the influence-or in some cases direct control-of evil itself,” Flanagan shared during an interview, comparing the thematic ambition of the film to psychological thrillers like Se7en and The Silence of the Lambs.
With production wrapped and early promotional materials generating intense buzz, horror fans can look forward to seeing how Flanagan bridges the gap between gritty crime drama and demonic terror when The Exorcist: Martyrs premieres on March 12, 2027.
