'Clayface' First Reactions: Critics Call DC Body Horror 'Freakishly Awesome'

First reactions call DC's body horror thriller 'Clayface' 'freakishly awesome.' Tom Rhys Harries stars; James Watkins directs. In theaters Oct. 23 via Warner Bros.

By Elena Vasquez

October 14, 20262 min read

Programme

"Clayface" opens in U.S. theaters Oct. 23 via Warner Bros.
James Watkins directs; Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini co-wrote the screenplay.
Tom Rhys Harries stars, with Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan.
Matt Reeves, James Gunn and Peter Safran produce.
Critics describe the film as "hard R" and "loaded with brutal scenes."

DC's body horror thriller "Clayface" lands in U.S. theaters on Oct. 23 via Warner Bros., and the first reactions are already calling it "freakishly awesome" and "everything you want from a villain-led movie."

The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as the DC Universe character and Batman adversary. James Watkins, director of "Speak No Evil," helms from a screenplay co-written by "The Haunting of Hill House" creator Mike Flanagan.

What is the story?

Clayface is Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is disfigred by a local mob boss. Desperate, he volunteers as a test subject for scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr, played by Naomi Ackie. The experiment transforms his body into clay and causes him to lose his sanity.

Flanagan co-wrote the screenplay with Hossein Amini. The story is by Flanagan. The cast also includes David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan.

Who said what?

Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub wrote on X: "'Clayface' was fantastic. An awesome addition to the DCU that doesn't require any knowledge of DC to enjoy. It's 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."

Film critic Peter Gray said the film "has that comic book flair" but that this 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." He added that Harries "brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace to the role."

YouTuber Brandon Davis called the film "freakishly awesome" and praised Watkins for getting "creative with Clayface's abilities." He added that Harries "is a star" and "kills it."

Who made it?

"The Batman" director Matt Reeves produces alongside James Gunn and Peter Safran, the two heads of DC Studios.

The takeaway: early word positions "Clayface" as a hard-R entry that stands on its own, and the Oct. 23 theatrical release will test whether that buzz converts at the box office.

Source: Variety Film

clayface, dc, tom-rhys-harries, mike-flanagan, body-horror