The Exorcist Believer arrived in U.S. theaters on October 6, 2023, as the first chapter of a planned trilogy meant to revive one of horror’s most famous names. Three years later, the film still draws steady search interest. Viewers want to know how it connects to the 1973 classic, why the follow-ups never happened, and where the franchise is heading now.
This guide covers the story, the cast, the numbers, the streaming options, and the newest franchise developments confirmed as of October 10, 2026.
About The Exorcist Believer
The Exorcist: Believer is a 2023 supernatural horror film directed by David Gordon Green. He co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Sattler from a story developed with Scott Teems and Danny McBride. It is the sixth film in the franchise and works as a direct legacy sequel to the original 1973 movie.
That connection matters. The film treats the first Exorcist as its only canon predecessor and does not acknowledge the other sequels or prequels. Viewers do not need to watch the middle entries to follow the story, although a refresher on the 1973 film adds context.
The movie runs 111 minutes and carries an R rating. Blumhouse Productions, Morgan Creek Entertainment, and Rough House Pictures produced it, and Universal Pictures handled distribution.
Plot Overview Without Major Spoilers
The story opens in Haiti, where photographer Victor Fielding survives a devastating earthquake that changes his life. Thirteen years later, he lives in Georgia and raises his daughter Angela alone. He has lost his faith, and he keeps the past at a distance.
Everything shifts when Angela and her friend Katherine vanish in the woods after trying a séance. They return three days later with no clear memory of what happened. Their behavior then grows steadily more disturbing, and Victor searches for answers that medicine cannot supply.
His search leads him to Chris MacNeil, the mother of Regan from the original film. Chris has spent decades studying possession across cultures. The plot then builds toward a group ritual that draws on several faith traditions instead of one church, which is the film’s biggest departure from the 1973 story.
Cast and Characters
The ensemble mixes new faces with a returning legend. These are the main performers:
- Leslie Odom Jr. plays Victor Fielding, the grieving father.
- Lidya Jewett plays Angela Fielding.
- Olivia O’Neill plays Katherine West, in her film debut.
- Jennifer Nettles and Norbert Leo Butz play Miranda and Tony West, Katherine’s parents.
- Ann Dowd plays Ann, the nurse who lives next door to the Fieldings.
- Ellen Burstyn returns as Chris MacNeil.
- Linda Blair makes a brief cameo as Regan MacNeil.
The reunion of Burstyn and Blair became one of the film’s most discussed moments. The director has said Blair’s appearance was filmed in secret and was not in the script. Blair first joined the production as an advisor, because the young cast needed guidance through intense material.
Production and the $400 Million Franchise Bet
The project began in December 2020 as a sequel to the original film. In July 2021, Universal and Peacock secured the rights in a deal reported at $400 million, with plans for a full trilogy. Green intended to direct all three films, and outlines for the second and third entries already existed.
Principal photography ran from November 2022 to early March 2023 in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. The production budget was $30 million. Filming paused in mid-December 2022 after Odom had an unspecified health issue.
The release date also moved. The studio first planned October 13, 2023, then shifted the film one week earlier to avoid the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film. That change put the horror release on October 6.
The film was also the last one produced by Morgan Creek co-founder James G. Robinson, who died on March 6, 2026, at age 90.
Box Office and Critical Reception
The Exorcist Believer opened to $26.5 million in the United States and Canada. That total topped the weekend chart and set a franchise opening record. Even so, it landed below the projected $30 million to $36 million range, and the gap looked larger beside the $400 million rights deal.
The film finished with about $137 million worldwide. Roughly $65.5 million came from the United States and Canada, and about $71.4 million came from other markets. Against a $30 million budget, those figures made it profitable on paper. Expectations for a franchise reboot ran much higher.
Critics were harsh. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 22 percent approval rating from critics, and Metacritic gives it a 39 out of 100, which signals generally unfavorable reviews. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a grade of C. Common complaints focused on too many ideas, uneven scares, and a rushed final act. Some reviewers did praise Odom’s performance and the early, slow-building tension.
The film also earned five Golden Raspberry nominations in March 2024, including Worst Picture. It received one nomination at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards for its score.
Where to Watch The Exorcist Believer
The film reached digital platforms on October 24, 2023. Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K releases followed on December 19, 2023. Peacock began streaming the movie exclusively on December 1, 2023, and listings in October 2026 still point to Peacock as its subscription home in the United States.
Streaming catalogs change often. Check Peacock first, then look at rental and purchase options on major digital stores if it has moved. Viewers outside the United States may find different availability.
The Cancelled Sequel, The Exorcist: Deceiver
The planned second film, titled The Exorcist: Deceiver, was set for April 18, 2025. David Gordon Green revealed that it would have moved the story to Europe and centered on Ann Dowd’s nurse character.
That plan fell apart after the first film’s reception. Green stepped down in January 2024, and Universal pulled the film from its calendar soon after. On May 29, 2024, Blumhouse and Universal confirmed that Mike Flanagan would write, direct, and produce a fresh take on the franchise. The trilogy was officially cancelled.
So the short answer is simple. There is no Believer sequel, and the studios have not announced any plan to revive Deceiver.
Latest Updates: The Exorcist: Martyrs
The newest chapter of the franchise is Flanagan’s film, now officially titled The Exorcist: Martyrs. Universal confirmed the title in early October 2026 alongside first-look images, plot details, and a short teaser. The studio set the theatrical release for March 12, 2027.
The release date has shifted before. Flanagan’s film was first scheduled for March 13, 2026. Universal removed it from the calendar in June 2025, and Flanagan said then that the film could not make that date. The new March 12, 2027 date was reported in January 2026. Scarlett Johansson joined the lead role in November 2025.
Story and cast details
Reports describe Johansson as Julie Miller, an NYPD homicide detective and single mother. Her case ends in the execution of a serial killer called Father Sunday, played by John Leguizamo. The execution does not go as planned, and priests played by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Laurence Fishburne enter the story. Sasha Calle, Diane Lane, and young actor Jacobi Jupe round out the main cast. There is no full official synopsis yet, so some plot details remain unconfirmed.
How it connects to Believer
Flanagan has said the film is not a retread of the 1973 movie. The studio has stated that it is not a sequel to The Exorcist: Believer. Flanagan has also said it fits inside the franchise universe while telling a story that is new to the series. He describes the tone as a blend of serial-killer thrillers and supernatural horror.
Trailer timing
The full trailer was scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026, following a 15-second teaser released on October 6. Fans can watch the official channels for the complete footage and any further announcements.
Why the Film Still Draws Attention
Several factors keep The Exorcist Believer in the conversation. It carries a famous title and a major franchise legacy. It also holds a notable place in the story of modern Hollywood, because it shows how a huge rights investment can collide with audience expectations.
The film’s approach to faith drew interest too. Instead of centering one church, it showed characters from different traditions working together. Some viewers saw that as a fresh idea. Others felt it weakened the focus of the original story. Both views remain common in discussions today.
Finally, the arrival of Martyrs gives people a new reason to revisit the 2023 film and compare approaches.
Final Thoughts
The Exorcist Believer did not deliver the franchise relaunch its producers wanted. It did open at number one, earn $137 million worldwide, and bring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair back to the saga. Critical response was weak, and the planned trilogy ended before the second film reached theaters.
For fans, the film now serves as both a standalone horror watch and a stepping stone to what comes next. The Exorcist: Martyrs, arriving March 12, 2027, will show whether a new creative direction can restore the franchise’s reputation. Until more official details arrive, anything beyond the confirmed cast, release date, and early story outline remains unconfirmed.
Share your thoughts on The Exorcist Believer in the comments, and keep checking back for the latest Exorcist franchise updates.