For those of us still buzzing from the high of The Pope’s Exorcist, the bar for the genre has been set in a very specific place. That film managed the impossible: a perfect, razor-edge blend of suffocating suspense and those visceral “OMG” moments that make you want to jump out of your seat. It was a masterclass in making the supernatural feel grounded yet grand.
Now, the eyes of the industry are on New York City, where Scarlett Johansson is currently on the ground filming the next chapter of The Exorcist.
A Radical Pivot in the Streets of NYC
Under the direction of horror visionary Mike Flanagan, this isn’t just another sequel it’s a “radical” reimagining. Recent sightings in the Bronx and Queens suggest a departure from the “priest-in-a-bedroom” formula. Instead, we’re seeing Johansson and Sasha Calle sporting detective badges in gritty, rain-slicked urban environments.
This shift hints at a supernatural procedural a story that builds that same slow-burn dread we loved in the Vatican archives, but with the high-stakes payoff of a modern thriller.
From Demon Hunting to Gotham’s Elite
As if battling ancient evils weren’t enough, Johansson’s 2026 is shaping up to be a year of massive transformations. Just as production on The Exorcist heats up, reports have confirmed her next major move: joining Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Part II.
In a move that has Marvel fans reeling, she is set to reunite with her MCU co-star Sebastian Stan. While Stan takes on the tragic role of District Attorney Harvey Dent, Johansson will play Gilda Dent, his wife. It’s a casting choice that promises a sophisticated, “power couple” energy before the inevitable fall of the Dent family.
The Verdict
While The Pope’s Exorcist gave us a charismatic, swashbuckling take on demon-hunting, Johansson’s current trajectory is much more atmospheric and grounded. She’s trading the Marvel spandex for a detective’s badge and a seat at Gotham’s high table.
With The Exorcist slated for March 12, 2027, and The Batman: Part II following on October 1, 2027, Scarlett Johansson is officially the new queen of the high-stakes thriller.
Editor’s Note: Much like the balance found in the best Malbecs smooth but with a punch the thriller genre is at its best when it respects the tension before delivering the terror. From the exorcism chair to the streets of Gotham, this is the “OMG” energy we’ve been waiting for.
