The first trailer for "The Exorcist: Martyrs" is out, giving fans a look at a new direction for the famous horror series.

Writer and director Mike Flanagan unveiled it Friday at New York Comic Con, USA Today reported. Scarlett Johansson stars as Julie Miller, a New York City homicide detective.

"Thirteen years ago, New York City detective Julie Miller ended the terror reign of satanic serial killer Father Sunday," the plot summary reads. Now a new killer has written her name in an altar boy's blood on the walls of a church crypt, pulling her back in. John Leguizamo plays Father Sunday, and new killings threaten Miller's 12-year-old son, The Hollywood Reporter said. The cast also includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburne.

"This movie is so … scary. I swear to God," Flanagan told the crowd. He called it "unlike any other 'Exorcist' movie that's ever been made."

The story seems to draw from 1990's "The Exorcist III," a cult favorite about a detective chasing murders tied to a dead serial killer. In the trailer, Johansson wears a badge reading "Kinderman," the name of the detective in that film. Flanagan did not confirm a link, but praised "Exorcist III" as "one of the most underrated" films in the series.

The film is Universal's second try at reviving the franchise. In 2021 the studio paid $400 million for the rights, including money for three films. But 2023's "The Exorcist: Believer" made only $137 million worldwide amid poor reviews, and the second film was scrapped in 2024.

Flanagan is known for Stephen King films like "Doctor Sleep" and Netflix series like "Midnight Mass." His new "Carrie" series is streaming on Prime Video now.

"The Exorcist: Martyrs" opens in theaters March 12, 2027.

What we know: The trailer is out, and the film opens next March.
What we don't: Whether it ties directly to "The Exorcist III."