‘Clayface’ Review: DCU Molds Batman Villain’s Origin Story Into Fun, Scary Body Horror
News Source
•Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000
📰 What Happened
Clayface is the new DC film about the Batman villain. It follows Matt Hagen, a rising actor from a poor part of Gotham. After a mob boss cuts up his face, he loses his career and nearly everything else.
A scientist's nanotech research restores his face, but the fix has terrible side effects. Matt can now shape-shift into anyone, and he sets out for revenge. The film opens on 23 October and is rated R.
🔍 The Backstory
The film is directed by James Watkins and written by horror director Mike Flanagan with Hossein Amini. It stars Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie, and runs for one hour and 48 minutes.
DC Studios is trying different genres after 2025's Superman. Clayface is a body horror film rather than a superhero story. Critics say the jump scares and gore are strong, and that it does not lecture the audience.
🎯 Why It Matters
It shows Warner Bros. will make strange, scary films with lesser-known characters instead of only big superhero team-ups.
Clayface is the new DC film about the Batman villain. It follows Matt Hagen, a rising actor from a poor part of Gotham. After a mob boss cuts up his face, he loses his career and nearly everything else.
A scientist's nanotech research restores his face, but the fix has terrible side effects. Matt can now shape-shift into anyone, and he sets out for revenge. The film opens on 23 October and is rated R.
The film is directed by James Watkins and written by horror director Mike Flanagan with Hossein Amini. It stars Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie, and runs for one hour and 48 minutes.
DC Studios is trying different genres after 2025's Superman. Clayface is a body horror film rather than a superhero story. Critics say the jump scares and gore are strong, and that it does not lecture the audience.
It shows Warner Bros. will make strange, scary films with lesser-known characters instead of only big superhero team-ups.