The first reactions to Clayface are in, and it sounds like DC Studios is getting ready to unleash an entertainingly gruesome comic book movie. Directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil) from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan (Carrie) and Hossein Amini (Drive), the R-rated horror film puts Batman villain Clayface in the spotlight for a story that promises plenty of blood, gore, and disturbing body horror.
With Clayface set to reach theatres on October 23, the first social media reactions are offering a taste of what audiences can expect. The response has been largely enthusiastic, with several viewers praising star Tom Rhys Harries, the film’s graphic horror sequences, and its willingness to take the DC Universe in a darker direction.
Clayface First Reactions Praise the DCU Horror Movie’s Gore
Steven Weintraub of Collider was particularly enthusiastic about Clayface:
Chris Killian was equally impressed, praising the film’s combination of gruesome body horror and a tragic character story.
Tom Rhys Harries Earns Praise for Playing Matt Hagen
Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, the aspiring Hollywood leading man whose life takes a devastating turn after a crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured. An experimental treatment offers him a chance to recover his appearance, but its unexpected consequences begin to affect both his body and his grip on reality.
Peter Gray praised Harries’ performance, highlighting the actor’s ability to balance the character’s charm with menace.
Shahbaz of The Movie Podcast also singled out Harries’ performance and the body horror as highlights.
Clayface Could Be a Major New Direction for the DCU
One particularly enthusiastic reaction came from Maddy Filmgal, who called Clayface one of the best DCU projects by a considerable margin.
Obviously, nothing works exactly the same for everyone:
DC Studios co-head James Gunn has previously described Clayface as a “complete horror film.” The project originated with Mike Flanagan, whose take on the character was compelling enough to convince Gunn to move forward with the movie, even though Flanagan ultimately couldn’t direct it. James Watkins took over as director.
The film has also received an R rating for strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity, and brief drug use.
When Does Clayface Come Out?
Clayface arrives in theatres on October 23, 2026. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, with Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, David Dencik, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James among the supporting cast.
Based on these first reactions, Clayface could offer DC fans a nasty combination of tragic character drama and disturbing body horror. Whether it ultimately works as a new chapter in the DCU remains to be seen, but the early responses suggest that audiences should prepare for something a bit more gross and unsettling than a typical comic book movie.
Are you looking forward to seeing Clayface when it hits theatres on October 23? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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