DC’s Clayface Turns a Tragic Batman Villain Origin Story Into a Fun, Visceral Body Horror Movie Throwback
The film explores impostor syndrome and beauty standards, but critics say its body horror and emotional beats often land with unintended absurdity.
- Directed by James Watkins, the DCU horror thriller Clayface hits theaters on Oct. 23, starring Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor whose life spirals after a brutal attack forces him into experimental, body-altering treatments.
- After a mob boss slashes his face, the Narrows-born actor seeks help from Caitlyn Corr, agreeing to test AI-powered regenerative nanocells that transform his body into a malleable substance capable of assuming anyone's appearance.
- While exploring themes of identity and beauty standards, the film applies these ideas like "superficial makeup," according to reviews. James Watkins delivers impressive body horror VFX, though moments meant to be heartbreaking often veer into unintentional spectacle.
- Harries delivers an impactful, haunting performance that elevates a slow-moving first half, according to critics; the second half offers "gleeful over-the-top mayhem" as the film embraces its horror roots, creating a solid, if flawed, DCU entry.
- Originally conceived as a spin-off to Matt Reeves' The Batman, Clayface functions as a standalone project rather than interconnected franchise installment. The film notably avoids utilizing Gotham City as a character, marking a distinct departure for the expanding DCU.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Clayface Review: Fun, Engaging Thriller That Overcomes Its Imperfections
DC’s Clayface hits cinemas Friday, October 23, 2026. Clayface marks DC Studios’ 3rd feature film from the DC Universe to hit cinema screens during James Gunn’s reign and I left pleasantly surprised. It is definitely a stark contrast to the superhero shenanigans of the first 2 “Superman/Supergirl” stories. This is a bold, unique thrill ride […] This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
'Clayface' review - DC body horror movie a disappointing mess
Review | Clayface: DC’s grisly body-horror thriller is not for the squeamish
3.5/5 stars From Venom and Morbius to Birds of Prey and The New Mutants, elevating side characters to centre stage in Marvel and DC comic-book adaptations rarely takes flight. Clayface, however, is an exception. Set in the Gotham underworld, the new film features no sign – or even mention – of Batman, but no matter. A grisly but delicious tale of Hollywood excess, this DC thriller is part crime, part horror and certainly not one for the squeamis…
‘Clayface’ Review: A Grotesque Tale Of Impostor Syndrome Faces Its Own Misshapen Identity Crisis
Body horror roared back to grotesque life with the Oscar-nominated “The Substance,” using the genre to eviscerate brutal beauty standards, ageism, and the commodification of women’s bodies. But if that film’s admonition was “the balance must be respected,” the warning goes unheeded in “Clayface,” a rather traditional (and similarly gnarly) body-horror film masquerading as a DC Studios comic-book movie that struggles to reconcile its considerable…
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