Mike Flanagan’s next horror project is already making an impression on its cast. The Exorcist: Martyrs introduces a new story in the long-running franchise, bringing another supernatural horror to the screen.
John Leguizamo has called The Exorcist: Martyrs the scariest movie he has ever been part of. In a post on X, the actor revealed that he felt creeped out during filming. “This is the scariest movie I have ever been a part of! I was creeped out during filming! Exorcist: Martyrs!!!!!” he wrote. His comments have raised expectations for the upcoming supernatural horror film.
What we know about The Exorcist: Martyrs so far
Written and directed by Flanagan, The Exorcist: Martyrs stars Scarlett Johansson as an NYPD homicide detective Julie Miller, investigating a series of disturbing murders. Her work on the case draws her into a supernatural mystery, bringing crime thriller elements into the franchise’s established horror setting.
The cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane, Sasha Calle, Jacobi Jupe, Rahul Kohli, Kate Siegel, and Carla Gugino, alongside Leguizamo. The film tells a new story within the Exorcist universe rather than directly following 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer.
Flanagan produces the film alongside Jason Blum and David Robinson, while Alexandra Magistro and Ryan Turek serve as executive producers. Blumhouse Productions, Atomic Monster, and Morgan Creek Entertainment are behind the project, with Universal Pictures handling its theatrical release.
Flanagan has several notable projects in his recent and upcoming slate. He adapted Stephen King’s Carrie into a television series. He also wrote the screenplay for DC Studios’ Clayface, a body-horror film directed by James Watkins. His previous horror credits include The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep, demonstrating his experience with both supernatural storytelling and psychological terror.
Universal Pictures has scheduled The Exorcist: Martyrs for a theatrical release on March 12, 2027. Although the studio has kept many plot details under wraps, Leguizamo’s comments have added intrigue to the project. Horror fans will have to wait until the film’s release to discover what made the production so unsettling for its cast.
