Clayface First Reactions Call DC Horror 'Freakishly Awesome'

First reactions to DC Studios' Clayface are calling it "freakishly awesome" and everything you want from a villain-led film, according to an early round-up published on Oct. 14, 2026 Variety.

The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, also known as Clayface, a Batman adversary in the DC Universe, the shared continuity that links DC's films and series Variety. It is directed by James Watkins. Naomi Ackie co-stars as scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr Variety.

The story follows Hagen, a struggling actor who is disfigured by a local mob boss. He volunteers as a test subject for an experimental treatment and is transformed into living clay, a change that costs him his sanity Variety. The tone is horror. It is body horror built around a comic-book villain.

Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub described the film as fantastic, hard-R and loaded with brutal scenes, adding that it works without prior DC knowledge Variety. Critic Peter Gray called it dark, violent and brutal with comic-book flair, and praised Harries for mixing boyish charm with quiet menace Variety. Commentator Brandon Davis used the phrase "freakishly awesome," praising Watkins for creative use of Clayface's shape-shifting abilities and tipping Harries as a breakout star Variety.

The story is by Mike Flanagan, with the screenplay co-written by Flanagan and Hossein Amini Variety. The supporting cast includes David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan. It is produced by Matt Reeves alongside DC Studios co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran Variety.

Clayface is an R-rated Batman horror film from DC Studios, R-rated meaning under-17s need an adult to watch in the United States ScreenRant. It is set for release in US theatres via Warner Bros. on Oct. 23 Variety. Other early posts described it as an awesome addition to the DCU The Hollywood Reporter.

For fans, this means a shorter wait to judge for themselves. Full reviews will follow before opening weekend.