Ellen Burstyn says there is "enough already" of The Exorcist as Martyrs nears release
Asked by Variety about The Exorcist: Martyrs, Ellen Burstyn, 93, said there has been enough Exorcist already. The new film, directed by Mike Flanagan, stars Scarlett Johansson.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Ellen Burstyn, the 93-year-old star of the 1973 film The Exorcist, told Variety there has been enough of the franchise, when asked about the new sequel The Exorcist: Martyrs. Screen RantN ““Isn’t there enough already of the ‘Exorcist’ thing?” she says. “It’s enough already.”” Read at Screen Rant ↗ The IndependentLC “Asked by Variety about the new film, Burstyn suggested that there had already been “enough” Exorcist films.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Burstyn played Chris MacNeil, mother of a possessed girl, in William Friedkin's original film, did not appear in the sequels that followed, and returned to the role in 2023's The Exorcist: Believer. Screen RantN “The actor ended making her long-awaited return to the franchise as her original character in 2023's The Exorcist: Believer.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ The IndependentLC “but did not return for any of the sequels or prequels – until 2023, when she reprised the character in the critically scorned The Exorcist: Believer.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Screen Rant reports that Believer, directed by David Gordon Green, got overwhelmingly negative reviews and grossed $136 million, after Blumhouse and Universal bought the franchise rights in 2021 for a reported $400 million; the planned trilogy was then dropped. Screen RantN “Exorcist: Believer reviews were overwhelmingly negative from critics and the film, which was directed by David Gordon Green, was a dismal performer at the box office, grossing just $136 million.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ The IndependentLC “While that film was intended to be the first in a now-aborted trilogy” Read at The Independent ↗
Mixed · 2Martyrs is directed by Mike Flanagan and stars Scarlett Johansson as a police detective (named Julie Miller in Screen Rant's account), with Chiwetel Ejiofor as a prison chaplain. The IndependentLC “Scarlett Johansson set to star as a police detective, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor as a prison chaplain.” Read at The Independent ↗ Screen RantN “following Johansson's rookie detective, Julie Miller, as she confronts a terrifying darkness that challenges her deepest beliefs.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Mixed · 2The supporting cast includes Diane Lane, Sasha Calle, Scoot McNairy, Laurence Fishburne and John Leguizamo. The IndependentLC “Among the supporting cast are Diane Lane, Jacobi Jupe, Sasha Calle, Scoot McNairy, and Gil Bellows, as well as Laurence Fishburne and John Leguizamo.” Read at The Independent ↗ Screen RantN “Laurence Fishburne, Sasha Calle, Scoot McNairy, Diane Lane, John Gallagher Jr., John Leguizamo, and Chiwetel Ejiofor also star.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Left · 1Flanagan, known for The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, said The Exorcist is one of the reasons he became a filmmaker and that it is an honour to try something fresh within its universe. The IndependentLC ““The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honour to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe,”” Read at The Independent ↗
Left · 1Asked by The Independent about reliance on existing intellectual property in horror, Flanagan said it can be done with love or cynically, but that original stories often go unsupported while audiences come in droves for the familiar. The IndependentLC ““But it’s so complicated – I’ve also seen the original stories be put up there and no one shows up to support them, whereas people come in droves to the familiar.”” Read at The Independent ↗ Centre · 1Screen Rant says it is unclear how much audience appetite remains for the franchise, and contrasts it with 2026 hits such as Obsession, which it says grossed $522 million, suggesting audiences want original horror. Screen RantN “it remains unclear how much audience appetite there is for more Exorcist after Believer.”“Obsession remains one of the biggest hits of the year, earning rave reviews and grossing $522 million worldwide on a budget less than $1 million.” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Independent leads with Burstyn's remark as a "damning verdict" on the sequel, then gives Flanagan space to respond on franchise fatigue.
- Emphasis
- Burstyn's quote, the cast, and Flanagan's comments on existing IP.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives little box-office detail on Believer.
- Charged language
- “damning verdict”“misfire”
- For example
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“The Exorcist star Ellen Burstyn issues damning verdict on new sequel: ‘Enough already’” — The Independent
“Actor previously reprised her iconic role in the 2023 misfire ‘The Exorcist: Believer’” — The Independent
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Screen Rant presents Burstyn's candid reaction, then places it in the franchise's commercial record and 2026 horror trends.
- Emphasis
- Believer's flop, rights purchase, box-office figures and audience appetite for original horror.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not include Flanagan's comments on existing IP.
- Charged language
- “major flop”“dismal performer”“losing steam”
- For example
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“Burstyn, for her part, evidently thinks it might be time to retire this classic horror property.” — Screen Rant
“Believer was a major flop.” — Screen Rant
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Ellen Burstyn, 93, told Variety there is 'enough already' of The Exorcist.
- The Exorcist: Martyrs, directed by Mike Flanagan, stars Scarlett Johansson.
- Burstyn reprised her role in 2023's The Exorcist: Believer, which was poorly received.
Ellen Burstyn person
Burstyn, quoted by Variety, suggests the franchise has run its course and there is enough Exorcist already.
““Isn't there enough already of the Exorcist thing? It's enough already,” she told the outlet.” — The Independent
Scarlett Johansson person
Johansson stars in Martyrs as a detective; the coverage quotes no comment from Johansson.
“Scarlett Johansson set to star as a police detective” — The Independent
Left1 article
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The IndependentLC · · Opinion
The Exorcist star Ellen Burstyn issues damning verdict on new sequel: ‘Enough already’
Critical Frames Burstyn's remark as a damning verdict on the sequel and balances it with Flanagan's defence of working in existing franchises.
Centre1 article
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Scarlett Johansson’s The Exorcist Gets Candid Reaction From OG Star
Mixed Reports Burstyn's candid comments and adds commercial context, doubting appetite for more Exorcist films.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 25 Oct 14:12 First Screen RantN Scarlett Johansson’s The Exorcist Gets Candid Reaction From OG Star
- 25 Oct 16:45 +2h 32m The IndependentLC The Exorcist star Ellen Burstyn issues damning verdict on new sequel: ‘Enough already’ Opinion
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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