Clayface, the third film in DC Studios’ rebooted universe following Superman and Supergirl, opens in theatres on October 23 through Warner Bros. Pictures. Directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the R-rated film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, alongside Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, David Dencik and Eddie Marsan.
The review embargo lifted on October 21, with early Rotten Tomatoes figures standing at approximately 75% fresh from 83 reviews, according to Forbes. The score is subject to change as more reviews are added. The early critical response suggests that most critics appreciate Harries’ performance and the film’s emphasis on practical body horror, which offers a different approach to the superhero genre. However, opinions are more divided on whether the story and its underlying themes are as effective as the gruesome spectacle.
The film follows Matt Hagen, a rising Hollywood actor in Gotham whose career collapses after a crime boss brutally disfigures his face. Desperate to restore his appearance and revive his prospects, Matt turns to an experimental treatment developed by scientist Caitlyn Corr, played by Ackie. Although the treatment initially appears to work, it eventually transforms him into a shapeshifting creature made of clay. He can assume other people’s appearances and turn his malleable body into a weapon. As Matt’s transformation takes a violent turn, a suspicious police officer, played by Minghella, begins closing in on him.
Some of the strongest praise has come from major entertainment publications. Variety’s Guy Lodge described the film as “ickily enjoyable,” praising its combination of grotesque imagery and dark humour. He argued that Clayface is sharper and smarter across several departments than its premise might require. Lodge also praised Watkins, whose previous films include Eden Lake and Speak No Evil, for his sense of humour and willingness to embrace the grotesque. He noted that the film draws as much from 1990s horror titles such as Darkman and Thinner as it does from DC’s cinematic history. The response also suggests that viewers can approach Clayface as a standalone horror film without needing extensive knowledge of the wider franchise.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Frank Scheck was similarly enthusiastic, describing the film as “one of the year’s big surprises.” He praised its grimy visuals and pulpy dialogue, which evoke some of the most expressive traditions of comic-book storytelling. Scheck also pointed to its psychological depth and emotional resonance, drawing comparisons with the body-horror work of David Cronenberg and Sam Raimi. Deadline’s Glen Garner was also positive, according to a Rotten Tomatoes summary. The Telegraph described the film as “stylish and stomach-twisting,” while the Houston Chronicle called it a highly entertaining origin story.
Not every critic was convinced by the film’s approach. RogerEbert.com’s Brian Tallerico argued that Clayface closely resembles Cronenberg’s The Fly, including its doomed romance and the physical deterioration of its central character. He found the film inconsistent in its treatment of its themes and its expectations of the audience’s sympathy for Matt. Without a stronger narrative foundation beneath the grotesque imagery, Tallerico argued, “it’s just slop.” He also criticised the film’s production design, saying it looked as though it had been shot on a backlot, and described its version of Gotham as potentially the dullest seen on screen.
The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee acknowledged that Clayface offers something different from the usual comic-book formula and could provide a welcome change for audiences tired of conventional superhero films. However, he argued that outside this context, the film “confounds much more than it compels.” TheWrap called it “effective, though hardly brilliant,” questioning whether the story adequately establishes that Hagen was not a creep before his transformation. USA Today’s Brian Truitt pointed to what he considered a severe lack of character development, while Rolling Stone’s David Fear compared the experience of watching the film to eating a handful of Play-Doh.
Harries’ performance has emerged as one of the most consistent points of praise, including among critics who were less impressed by the film as a whole. Lodge wrote that the Welsh actor combines the necessary handsomeness with an anguished hunger, making Matt’s desperation to recover his lost opportunity believable. Scheck also praised Harries, suggesting that the film could serve as a major stepping stone in the actor’s career.
Tallerico, however, found Harries’ performance less consistent during the final scenes, arguing that the film itself appears uncertain about how to frame Matt’s journey. He did single out Minghella as effective in his role. TheWrap was less impressed with the supporting performances overall, describing the rest of the cast as merely fine. The reviews therefore suggest that Harries provides a strong centre for the film, even as the screenplay’s character development and emotional direction remain points of contention.
The practical effects and set pieces provide another area of agreement among reviewers. Several critics have praised the film’s physical approach to body horror and its willingness to foreground disturbing transformations. Tallerico acknowledged that a sequence of violent deaths at the Vesuvius club could satisfy hardcore DC fans. CinemaBlend also noted that several reviews highlighted a plane sequence as a particularly effective exercise in tension. However, its critic felt that some of the first half’s grotesque moments became more concerned with flashy spectacle than with creating a genuinely visceral response.
Taken together, the reviews describe Clayface as a standalone horror film that works best when it embraces its identity as an unpretentious, grotesque creature feature. The film appears to lose some of its impact when it asks audiences to engage more seriously with its themes and character psychology. Its supporters see an entertaining and distinctive addition to DC’s expanding cinematic universe, while its detractors question the coherence of its storytelling and the depth of its central character. The early critical response nevertheless leans positive, with Harries’ lead performance and the film’s body-horror sequences emerging as its most widely recognised strengths.
Watch Trailer:
Film Details: Clayface
- Director: James Watkins
- Writers: Mike Flanagan, Hossein Amini
- Cast: Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll, Joshua James, Joana Ribeiro
- Genre: Body Horror / Psychological Thriller
- Rating: R
- Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
- Producers: Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, Peter Safran
- Production Company: DC Studios
- Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Release Date: October 23, 2026
