DC Studios’ first-ever horror film, ‘Clayface’, is all set to usher in spooky season as it debuts in theatres on Friday, October 23. Ahead of the highly anticipated release, the film has received a largely positive response from early viewers, with social media reactions praising Tom Rhys Harries’ performance, the film’s disturbing body-horror sequences and its tragic take on one of Batman’s most recognisable villains. While some viewers have called it the ‘best DC film since The Joker’, others have pointed to issues with its third act and tonal inconsistencies.
‘Clayface’ debuts with 77% rating
The film’s Rotten Tomatoes score has reportedly debuted at 77%, placing it behind ‘Superman’, which stands at 83%, and ahead of ‘Supergirl’ at 52%. The early reactions suggest that director James Watkins’ take on the character leans heavily into grotesque imagery and psychological horror rather than the conventional superhero formula.
‘Clayface’ early Twitter reviews
One viewer praised the film saying, “Clayface is, without a doubt, a BODY HORROR, and a damn good one! A macabre, visceral, and very well-constructed movie. Tom Rhys is SENSATIONAL as Matt Hagen, just like Naomi Ackie, who delivers an excellent performance as Dr. Caitlin Bates.”Another viewer wrote “I really dug this! The film is so well paced & immediately hooks you into Matt Hagen’s tragic story. DCU’s Gotham feels as grimy & alive as I could hope. The body horror is GNARLY. Coming from someone who HATES the solo villain movie trend I was pretty happy with this!”Another reaction celebrated the film for embracing tragic villains rather than turning them into conventional antiheroes, writing that ‘Clayface’ “reminds you why Batman villains are different”.The film’s body horror has emerged as one of its biggest talking points. One viewer wrote “Clayface is a bold villain origin story. It’s shockingly dark , brutal and twisted but also best DC movie since The Joker. Some scenes are hard to watch for me but even I closed my eyes, I can hear the shocking reaction from the audiences. OMG throughout the whole movie 🙂 The reactions from the crowds are awesome. It did remind me of The Substance, but much more. Would definitely be interested in seeing this character in more DC movies. It’s really kind of sad to see Tom Rhys Harries’ pretty face got destroyed every few mins. He embraced this role quite well.”Another wrote, “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.”Still another said, “They actually made a comic book movie that feels dangerous, awkward and whatnot. The body horror is genuinely disturbing, with some insanely creative sequences, but beneath all the gore lies a tragic story with a gothic soul. Tom Rhys Harries really sells Matt Hagen’s slow descent, making you feel for a guy who’s becoming something truly monstrous. Overall, it is Messy, disturbing and unimaginably tragic.“
What is ‘Clayface’ about?
However, the response has not been entirely unanimous. One viewer called ‘Clayface’ an “entertaining but frustrating tragedy”. The tweet read “Clayface is an entertaining but frustrating tragedy that left me craving SO MUCH MORE! A brutal blend of grotesque body horror and a heartbreaking character study, with BRILLIANT performances from Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie.Unfortunately, the third act lost me with cheesy dialogue, questionable choices, and some jarring tonal shifts. Don’t even get me started on those mobsters LOL. The film comes SO CLOSE to balancing tragedy, brutality, and campiness.”Another wrote, “Clayface was pretty gnarly in places with a great score. My main issue is it never fully settles in if it wants to be a body horror or a cartoon. The gore effects are pretty well done and one sequence had me hiding behind my hands.”Directed by James Watkins, ‘Clayface’ features a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, from a story by Flanagan, based on characters from DC.The film follows Matt Hagen, whose rise from a street kid in Gotham to a Hollywood leading man is cut short when the actions of a local crime boss leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team, Hagen turns to an experimental treatment that miraculously restores his appearance but brings troubling physical and psychological side effects. As his condition deteriorates, he embarks on a destructive path driven by revenge.Alongside Harries and Ackie, the cast includes David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.‘Clayface’ is scheduled to release in cinemas across India on October 23, 2026, in English and Hindi.
