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The body horror film co-written by Mike Flanagan and directed by James Watkins hits theaters on Oct. 23.
The first reactions to DC Studios‘ much-talked about R-rated body horror film Clayface have hit social media and the early consensus seems to be genre fans will be very happy.
Clayface doesn’t hit theaters until Oct. 23, and the critcs’ review embargo isn’t until Oct. 21, but DC held a number of screenings and a premiere on Tuesday night, and allowed brief social media reactions to the film.
Directed by Eden Lake filmmaker James Watkins, and co-written by Hossein Amini (Drive, 47 Ronin) and horror maestro Mike Flanagan (Carrie, Doctor Sleep, The Exorcist: Martyrs), Clayface tells the origin story of one of Gotham City’s most notorious villains. The synopsis for the film reads: “Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self… but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.”
Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen/Clayface. The cast also includes Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan.
James Gunn and The Batman director Matt Reeves are among the producers of Clayface.
The film is the third feature entry into Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, following Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026).
Below is the early social media reaction to Clayface.
Clayface 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, 2026Oooweeeee 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, 2026Clayface is something special, original, and completely different from any comic book movie we’ve seen before! It makes you feel for a villain and question whether psychological pain can be more devastating than physical pain, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen for a… pic.twitter.com/N0Qq7cXQYF
— The Daily Kryptonian (@TheDailyKrypto) October 14, 2026I love Clayface from the Batman comics, but James Watkins' movie does a good job of separating itself as a horror movie that doesn't require knowing anything beforehand. At its best, it reminded me of Sam Raimi's Darkman and Cronenberg's The Fly. Review and interview next week!
— Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW) October 14, 2026CLAYFACE 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, 2026CLAYFACE is the proof of concept of DC Studios: a movie that works on its own first, all shared universe considerations secondary. That it’s also a well-written, beautifully acted body horror/mad science/antihero monster movie à la THE FLY and DARKMAN is the bloody cherry on top. pic.twitter.com/e5j6O4wa8H
— Bill Bria (@billbria) October 14, 2026The hype for Clayface is REAL. Between Tom Rhys bringing the character to life and the promise of a darker, more psychological take on a comic book villain, we got something truly special. pic.twitter.com/O0tareBob3
— WHO LET US OUT (@Wholetusout) October 14, 2026This definitely felt like a VILLAIN movie and not an anti-hero ! Which makes it even better! I went in thinking it was going to be Venom and left excited it was a VILLAIN and dark movie! Clayface for the win!
— The Daily Kryptonian (@TheDailyKrypto) October 14, 2026James Watkins was showing off in #Clayface, flexing some practical effects and brutal ideas. Big win for horror fans.
It’s really visceral, both in violent/bloody sense but also mentally. It’s a mindfuck at times with some dark, true villain turns by the end. Whewwwww. pic.twitter.com/cwYKVp4rdP
'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#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#Clayface is one of the best DCU projects by a landslide. Brilliant story and character moments. This is made with love. It setups up for BIG things to come in the most exciting way I seen since 2025. Bring your tissues but not because it’s a sad movie. pic.twitter.com/brdFSEDgqG
— ☆ 👻haunted star🎃⋆⭒˚.⋆ (@maddyfilmgal) October 14, 2026#CLAYFACE: the body horror and Tom Rhys Harris's performance are genuinely excellent, but the story and some bizarre choices make this an odd third entry for a DCU still finding its identity. There's a lot to love here, even if not all of it works. pic.twitter.com/VsAFVn3j1w
— Shahbaz • The Movie Podcast (@shayhbaz) October 14, 2026#Clayface completely blew me away. It’s disgusting, inventive, and astonishingly funny and earnest. It slots into the DCU so effortlessly. You owe it to yourself to see it in a theater filled with other people’s reactions. pic.twitter.com/3K7oVrTscv
— Jenna Anderson (@heyitsjennalynn) October 14, 2026#Clayface rips! I attended the first-ever screening this past Sunday and my theater CHEERED. This is a straight-up body horror/monster movie that doesn’t hold back. It’s a special and GORY W for the DCU! You guys aren’t ready for this one!
More to come! Follow me for more! pic.twitter.com/0x6Qzhcx5d
#CLAYFACE is so gross & yet you can’t look away. I’m not a fan of horror but this was a masterpiece.@TomRhysHarries delivers a star making performance that’s charismatic & horrifying. Naomi Ackie is equally as powerful.
I watched the entire movie like this 🫣 I’m blown away. pic.twitter.com/NOKnzZpu61
#Clayface is a MASSIVE step for DC Studios. It’s gross, it’s scary, and it’s a FANTASTIC entry. Tom Rhys Harries is awesome as Clayface, and I hope we get to see more DC villains getting their spotlight in the future!!!
— JustAlexx (@JustAlexxLIVE) October 14, 2026THR Newsletters
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