The first reactions are in for DC Comics‘ body horror thriller “Clayface,” with journalists and fans calling it “freakishly awesome” and “everything you want from a villain-led movie.”
Directed by “Speak No Evil” filmmaker James Watkins from a screenplay co-written by “The Haunting of Hill House” creator Mike Flanagan, “Clayface” stars Tom Rhys Harries as the DC Universe character and Batman adversary. Clayface is Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is disfigured by a local mob boss. Desperate, he volunteers as a test subject for scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), who transforms his body into clay and causes him to lose his sanity.
“‘Clayface’ was fantastic,” Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub wrote on X. “An awesome addition to the DCU that doesn’t require any knowledge of DC to enjoy. It’s hard R and loaded with brutal scenes that really surprised me. Audience freaked out a few times during my screening to what was being depicted on screen.”
Film critic Peter Gray added that it “has that comic book flair” but that doesn’t “diminish how BRUTAL it is! Dark, violent, with little levity to offset the nastiness, this is an exciting addition to Gunn’s DCU.” He added that Harries “brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace to the role.”
YouTuber Brandon Davis called the film “freakishly awesome” and praised Watkins for getting “creative with Clayface’s abilities.” He added that Harries “is a star” and “kills it.”
With a story by Flanagan and screenplay co-written by Flanagan and Hossein Amini, “Clayface” also stars David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan and is produced by “The Batman” director Matt Reeves alongside James Gunn and Peter Safran. It’s set to hit U.S. theaters via Warner Bros. on Oct. 23.
See all the first reactions below.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 14, 2026Clayface was fantastic. An awesome addition to the DCU that doesn’t require any knowledge of DC to enjoy.
It’s a hard R and loaded with brutal scenes that really surprised me. Audience freaked out a few times during my screening to what was being depicted on screen.
Strong… pic.twitter.com/FcSmdPWZ0N
#Clayface has that comic book flair but that theatricality doesn’t diminish how BRUTAL it is! Dark, violent, with little levity to offset the nastiness, this is an exciting addition to Gunn’s DCU. Tom Rhys Harries brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace to the role. pic.twitter.com/dlBUKFORPL
— Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) October 14, 2026
'CLAYFACE' is a shockingly gruesome horror that holds NOTHING back. It goes all the way with it’s grotesque imagery. Surprisingly, it’s also funny. The film goes from darkly depressing to wacky, colourful, and absurd. A welcome change of tone that proves the DCU can do it all. pic.twitter.com/xxtkodKwTN
— DCU Brief (@DCUBrief) October 14, 2026
— Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) October 14, 2026#Clayface is freakishly awesome.
Watkins makes an unsettling Gotham and gets very creative with Clayface’s abilities. Gruesome, dark moments and twisted ideas at play.
Tom Rhys Harries is a star, literally in the movie and for his performance. Dude kills it. Well done by all. pic.twitter.com/nkKXaDLzFH
Oooweeeee I can finally get this off my chest! ‘Clayface’ is one of the best horrors of the year! Was not expecting it to perfectly mesh horror and romance! Warner Bros & DC cooked with this & Mike Flanagan does not miss with his scripts 🔥! Tom Rhys Harries shines in this gritty… pic.twitter.com/veu9aiowfZ
— chalice✨ (@HeyChalice) October 14, 2026
CLAYFACE is incredible! It molds Matt Hagen’s tragic backstory into a wildly gory spectacle. There are some crazy unique body horror moments that’ll make you squirm, but what I loved most is it’s also a heartfelt throwback to a bygone era of classic gothic romance films. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/WrkuT2yzOs
— Chris Killian (@chriskillian) October 14, 2026
#clayface is everything you want from a villain led movie. No more anti hero Bs, DC understands that tragic Villains can exist. I was harsh with Lanterns and Supergirl so I went into this movie excited, but nervous. This movie reminds you why Batman villains are different. pic.twitter.com/9ukhKhfGnj
— Conor (@Conorville08) October 14, 2026