Mike Flanagan’s ‘The Exorcist: Martyrs’ Reveals Official Title, Plot Details and First Look

Mike Flanagan’s upcoming The Exorcist movie finally has an official title: The Exorcist: Martyrs. Along with the title reveal, Universal has unveiled first-look images, new plot details, the release date, and a teaser for the highly anticipated horror film.

The Exorcist: Martyrs will arrive in theaters on March 12, 2027, from Universal Pictures.

The film stars Scarlett Johansson (The Avengers), Jacobi Jupe (Hamnet), Diane Lane (Unfaithful), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave), Sasha Calle (The Flash), and John Leguizamo (John Wick).

Flanagan has also assembled a large group of familiar faces from his previous projects, with Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater, Gil Bellows, Carl Lumbly, Robert Longstreet, Matt Biedel, Samantha Sloyan, Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr., Benjamin Pajak, and Carla Gugino among the cast.

New details revealed by Esquire offer a much better idea of what Flanagan has planned. Interestingly, the story appears to draw some inspiration from The Exorcist III, blending a serial killer investigation with supernatural horror.

Johansson plays NYPD homicide detective Julie Miller, a single mother whose 12-year-old son, Max, has recently celebrated his birthday. Early in the story, Miller captures Leguizamo’s serial killer character, Father Sunday, and witnesses his execution.

Naturally, that isn’t where Miller’s nightmare ends.

The name Julie Miller may even contain a subtle connection to the original Exorcist films, potentially serving as a nod to Jason Miller, who portrayed Father Karras in William Friedkin’s 1973 classic.

Once the supernatural elements emerge, Miller will have some help from Chiwetel Ejiofor and Laurence Fishburne, who portray priests caught up in the increasingly terrifying events.

Much like The Exorcist III, The Exorcist: Martyrs appears poised to combine the tension of a serial killer thriller with the supernatural terror of demonic possession. However, Flanagan is making it clear that audiences shouldn’t expect another remake or retread of the original.

“I think the first job is to tell people they’re not seeing a retread of The Exorcist,” Flanagan told Esquire. “They’re not seeing any attempt to reboot or remake or to step into the Friedkin film.”

Instead, the filmmaker says the movie will explore a new story within the established Exorcist universe.

“They’re actually seeing a story within the Exorcist universe that has not been told before, that is unique within the franchise and taking it in a very different direction than it’s gone in the past,” Flanagan explained. “That’s what I’m hoping. We’re doing something very, very different than what people might’ve expected.”

With The Exorcist: Martyrs now officially titled and the first details out in the open, it shouldn’t be long before audiences get a much longer look at Flanagan’s vision.

Expect the full trailer to arrive soon.

Mike Flanagan’s The Exorcist: Martyrs only in theaters March 12. Trailer out this Friday. https://t.co/KmzWwhUyyk

— The Exorcist Martyrs (@exorcistmartyrs) October 7, 2026