BlumFest is underway in New York City, and Blumhouse is using the stage to preview titles coming in 2027 and 2028. Stay tuned for more news and updates ..
One of the biggest reveals so far is the first first trailer for Mike Flanagan's "The Exorcist: Martyrs." I've had reservations about this one since it was announced, but I have to admit the trailer works. The cinematography looks great, the atmosphere grisly, and the cast feels right for their roles. Now I'm kinda looking forward to this one.
Scarlett Johansson plays Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective raising her 12-year-old son Max (Noah Jupe) on her own. The job keeps her out late, so her mom Mary (Diane Lane) picks up the slack at home. Then Miller nails "Father Sunday" (John Leguizamo), a serial killer who stages his victims like Catholic martyrs. Case closed, right? Not quite. She's there for his execution, and it goes sideways. The murders don't stop. They get worse, and now there's something demonic behind them. Before long, it's coming for her.
Sasha Calle plays Gina Restrepo, Miller's fellow homicide detective. Chiwetel Ejiofor is Father William, the prison chaplain who presided over Sunday's execution, and has been in a crisis of faith ever since. Laurence Fishburne plays a priest versed in ancient rituals who is brought in once the danger turns personal. Carla Gugino rounds out the ensemble.
Flanagan describes 'Martyrs' as "Se7en" or "The Silence of the Lambs" crossed with "The Exorcist." He cites William Peter Blatty's novel "Legion," the basis for "The Exorcist III," as a key inspiration. UPDATE: Johansson is reportedly playing the daughter of George C. Scott's character from that film.
Flanagan is also telling Empire Magazine: "It's the scariest thing I've ever made." That carries real weight with horror fans who have followed Flanagan through "Oculus" (2013), "Hush" (2016), "Gerald's Game" (2017), and "Doctor Sleep" (2019).
Behind the camera, cinematographer Michael Fimognari reunites with Flanagan. 'Martyrs' is the seventh of Flanagan's nine features that Fimognari has shot.
'Martyrs' hits theaters on March 12, 2027
Zobel broke out with "Compliance" (excellent) and "Z for Zachariah" (fine) before building an excellent prestige TV résumé: "The Leftovers," "Westworld," "Mare of Easttown," and most recently, "The Penguin."