A new teaser just rewrote what fans expect from this classic horror name.
Quick Summary: The Exorcist: Martyrs trailer drops October 9, 2026, after a 15-second teaser from Universal and Blumhouse. Mike Flanagan writes and directs, starring Scarlett Johansson as a detective facing a demonic crisis. The film hits theaters March 12, 2027.
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The Exorcist: Martyrs Trailer Release Date and First Teaser
Universal Pictures and Blumhouse just kicked off the marketing for The Exorcist: Martyrs. A short 15-second teaser landed on October 7, 2026. It gave fans a tiny peek before the real trailer. That full trailer is set to arrive on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Teaser Date: The first teaser dropped October 7, 2026, from the official movie account. Full Trailer Date: The complete trailer is scheduled for October 9, 2026.
Theatrical Release: The Exorcist: Martyrs opens only in theaters on March 12, 2027. Teaser Length: The first clip runs approximately 15 seconds long.
What the Teaser Actually Shows
The short clip gives quick flashes rather than a full story. Viewers see Scarlett Johansson moving through dark spaces, a woman standing at the top of a staircase, and a priest inside a large church. There's also a glimpse of Chiwetel Ejiofor looking distressed, plus John Leguizamo strapped to what appears to be an execution table.
Scarlett Johansson Exorcist Martyrs Trailer: Her Role Explained
This is a big deal because Johansson doesn't usually appear in horror movies. Reports say she plays Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective. Her character catches a serial killer known as Father Sunday, played by John Leguizamo. She then witnesses his execution. That moment appears to open the door to something supernatural and dangerous.
Scarlett Johansson: Plays Julie Miller, a homicide detective in New York City. John Leguizamo: Plays Father Sunday, a captured serial killer facing execution.
Chiwetel Ejiofor: Appears in the teaser in a moment of visible distress. Jacobi Jupe, Sasha Calle, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne: All confirmed as part of the cast.
Why This Cast Matters
This isn't a cast of unknown horror actors. Johansson, Ejiofor, Fishburne, and Lane are all well-known dramatic performers. Bringing this level of star power into an Exorcist movie signals that Universal and Blumhouse want this film treated as a major theatrical event, not a small genre release.
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Mike Flanagan Exorcist Martyrs: A New Direction for the Franchise
Mike Flanagan wrote and directed The Exorcist: Martyrs. He's known for shows like The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, plus his work on Prime Video's Carrie series. Flanagan brings a reputation for slow-building dread and deeply emotional characters, which looks like a shift from older Exorcist movies.
Previous Film: The Exorcist: Believer released in 2023 and aimed to start a new trilogy tied to the 1973 original. Trilogy Status: That planned trilogy was dropped, opening space for Flanagan's new vision.
Tone Shift: Martyrs starts with a police investigation and execution instead of a possessed child in a family home. Official Tagline: The confirmed promotional line reads, "Mike Flanagan's The Exorcist: Martyrs only in theaters March 12. Trailer out this Friday."
What We Still Don't Know
Some coverage has called this film a "radical" reboot. But it's not yet confirmed whether Martyrs is a full reset of the franchise, a standalone story, or connected directly to earlier films. There's also no confirmed running time, rating, or streaming date yet. Fans should wait for the full trailer or official statements from Universal and Flanagan before assuming plot details.
The Exorcist Martyrs Cast and Plot: Key Facts So Far
Here's a simple breakdown of everything confirmed right now about this new horror film.
Title: The Exorcist: Martyrs Director and Writer: Mike Flanagan Studios: Universal Pictures and Blumhouse
Lead Actress: Scarlett Johansson as Julie Miller Release Date: March 12, 2027, theaters only Genre: Supernatural horror blended with crime thriller elements
Public reaction so far focuses on Johansson's surprising move into horror and Flanagan's involvement. The teaser images of a church, an execution table, and visibly frightened characters have generated strong early buzz. There's no confirmed box office data or critic reaction yet since the movie hasn't released.