The first official trailer for "The Exorcist: Martyrs" dropped at Blumfest and New York Comic Con 2026, giving delighted audiences their first look at the next chapter in the famous horror franchise. Directed by Mike Flanagan, known for "Midnight Mass" and "The Haunting of Hill House", the film promises a fresh approach to the series.
Instead of remaking the original 1973 film (based on William Peter Blatty's book of the same name), Flanagan seems to be aiming for a combination of supernatural horror with a dark crime investigation.
Starring Scarlett Johansson, the seventh entry in the franchise is scheduled to release on March 12, 2027. The trailer introduces a disturbing mystery involving a police detective, a series of ritualistic murders and the possibility that demonic possession may be more than a story told by killers.
Johansson plays Julie Miller, a New York City homicide detective and single mother whose troubled past returns to haunt her. Thirteen years earlier, Miller stopped the brutal killing spree of Father Sunday, a satanic serial killer played by John Leguizamo. Although the case seemed to be over, a new wave of terrifying murders forces her to face the nightmare once again.
The investigation takes a disturbing turn when Miller discovers that her name has been written in an altar boy's blood on the walls of a church crypt. The message connects the new crimes to her past and suggests that someone, or something, is deliberately targeting her.
Miller teams up with Father William (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Gina Restrepo, a rookie detective portrayed by Sasha Calle. Together, they uncover a frightening connection between generations of killers, including historical murderer H. H. Holmes and the still-infamous Zodiac Killer.
As the investigation deepens, the line between human cruelty and supernatural evil begins to disappear. The greatest danger, however, is closer to home. Miller's 12-year-old son, Max, played by Jacobi Jupe, becomes a target, turning the investigation into a desperate fight to protect her family.
One of the most interesting aspects of "The Exorcist: Martyrs" is its strong connection to "The Exorcist III", the 1990 film written and directed by William Peter Blatty. That film followed a detective investigating a series of gruesome murders that appeared to be connected to a killer who should no longer have been able to commit them.
Flanagan seems to be treading a similar path, blending police work, psychological suspense and demonic horror.
An intriguing possible connection to the earlier film has also been under discussion. In "The Exorcist III", the main character is Lieutenant William Kinderman, played by George C. Scott. Some viewers who examined the new trailer noticed the name "Kinderman" on Miller's police badge. This has led to speculation that Miller could be connected to the earlier character; however, the precise nature of that connection has not been confirmed.
Flanagan has explained that he wants to combine the crime-solving tension of films such as "Se7en" and "The Silence of the Lambs" with the supernatural terror of "The Exorcist". His approach explores the disturbing possibility that people may act under the influence, or even the direct control, of an evil force.
The visual style also appears to support this darker vision. The trailer features gloomy interiors, striking architectural shapes, shadow-filled spaces and carefully controlled lighting. These elements create an unsettling atmosphere that recalls the gritty, shadowy look of classic crime thrillers.
Flanagan is reuniting with cinematographer Michael Fimognari, a longtime collaborator who worked on several of his projects, including "Doctor Sleep", "Gerald's Game", "The Haunting of Hill House" and "Midnight Mass". Their previous work suggests that atmosphere, visual detail and character-driven storytelling will play important roles in the new film.
