Mike Flanagan is set to unleash his latest horror project, a contemporary adaptation of Stephen King's debut novel, Carrie, on Prime Video. However, the prolific filmmaker has already completed principal photography on his next theatrical release, The Exorcist: Martyrs. The film, slated for a March 2027 theatrical debut, remains largely shrouded in mystery regarding Flanagan's specific vision for the iconic horror franchise.
Polygon had the opportunity to speak with Samantha Sloyan, a consistent collaborator with Flanagan whose filmography includes Hush, Midnight Mass, and Carrie, as well as The Exorcist: Martyrs. When asked about the upcoming installment, Sloyan shared an encouraging preview.
“I can't really say anything because the truth is I'm such a small component. I am really in and out,” Sloyan told Polygon. “So I am going to leave that for people who truly own that movie.”
She continued, “But I was really excited to be a part of it from the little that I saw just working there and what I could see on the monitors and stuff like that, it's absolutely a stunning movie and I think it's going to be probably the scariest thing that I've seen him do thus far. I'm very excited.”
This statement carries significant weight for a director who has carved out a career adapting classic horror for contemporary audiences while also producing original works. It is particularly reassuring for The Exorcist: Martyrs, a film tasked with honoring the legacy of the original, often cited as the scariest film ever made, and overcoming the critical disappointment of 2023's The Exorcist: Believer.
While details remain scarce, one report suggests the plot centers on a single mother, a police officer who apprehended a satanic serial killer 13 years prior. The narrative appears to involve her 12-year-old son becoming possessed by a demon, coinciding with a new series of murders potentially linked to her past.
The film's cast is reportedly led by Scarlett Johansson. Supporting roles are expected from Jacobi Jupe as the son, Diane Lane, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle, Carl Lumbly, and John Leguizamo, who may portray the serial killer Father Sunday. Familiar faces from Flanagan's ensemble, including Rahul Kohli, Hamish Linklater, Carla Gugino, and Kate Siegel, are also slated to appear.
The Exorcist: Martyrs is scheduled for release in theaters on March 12, 2027.