{"id":932604,"date":"2026-10-14T10:26:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T10:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/932604\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T10:26:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T10:26:09","slug":"clayface-first-reactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/932604\/","title":{"rendered":"Clayface First Reactions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tThe first reactions<\/a> to DC Studios<\/a>\u2018 much-talked about R-rated body horror film Clayface<\/a> have hit social media and the early consensus seems to be genre fans will be very happy. <\/p>\n

\n\tClayface doesn\u2019t hit theaters until Oct. 23, and the critcs\u2019 review embargo isn\u2019t until Oct. 21, but DC held a number of screenings and a premiere on Tuesday night, and allowed brief social media reactions to the film.<\/p>\n

\n\tDirected by Eden Lake and Speak No Evil filmmaker James Watkins<\/a>, and co-written by Hossein Amini (Drive, 47 Ronin) and horror maestro Mike Flanagan<\/a> (Carrie, Doctor Sleep, The Exorcist: Martyrs), Clayface tells the origin story of one of Gotham City\u2019s most notorious villains. The synopsis for the film reads: \u201cMatt Hagen\u2019s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss\u2019s actions leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self\u2026 but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tWelsh actor Tom Rhys Harries<\/a> plays Matt Hagen\/Clayface. The cast also includes Naomi Ackie<\/a>, David Dencik, Max Minghella<\/a> and Eddie Marsan<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n\tJames Gunn<\/a> and The Batman director Matt Reeves<\/a> are among the producers of Clayface. <\/p>\n

\n\tThe film is the third feature entry into Gunn and Peter Safran\u2019s DC Universe, following Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026). While Superman was a critical and commercial hit, earning $619 million, Supergirl misfired this summer, making just $126 million after middling reviews. Clayface, however, has a much more modest budget of $40 million, so should be moneymaker for DC. <\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tBelow is the early social media reaction to Clayface. <\/p>\n

Clayface was fantastic. An awesome addition to the DCU that doesn\u2019t require any knowledge of DC to enjoy. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s a 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. <\/p>\n

Strong\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/FcSmdPWZ0N<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Clayface<\/a> has that comic book flair but that theatricality doesn\u2019t diminish how BRUTAL it is! Dark, violent, with little levity to offset the nastiness, this is an exciting addition to Gunn\u2019s DCU. Tom Rhys Harries brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace to the role. pic.twitter.com\/dlBUKFORPL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Peter Gray (@ratedPDG) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Oooweeeee I can finally get this off my chest! \u2018Clayface\u2019 is one of the best horrors of the year! Was not expecting it to perfectly mesh horror and romance! Warner Bros & DC cooked with this & Mike Flanagan does not miss with his scripts \ud83d\udd25! Tom Rhys Harries shines in this gritty\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/veu9aiowfZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 chalice\u2728 (@HeyChalice) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Clayface is something special, original, and completely different from any comic book movie we\u2019ve seen before! It makes you feel for a villain and question whether psychological pain can be more devastating than physical pain, and I couldn\u2019t take my eyes off the screen for a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/N0Qq7cXQYF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Daily Kryptonian (@TheDailyKrypto) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

I love Clayface from the Batman comics, but James Watkins’ movie does a good job of separating itself as a horror movie that doesn’t require knowing anything beforehand. At its best, it reminded me of Sam Raimi’s Darkman and Cronenberg’s The Fly. Review and interview next week!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Edward Douglas (@EDouglasWW) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

CLAYFACE is incredible! It molds Matt Hagen\u2019s tragic backstory into a wildly gory spectacle. There are some crazy unique body horror moments that\u2019ll make you squirm, but what I loved most is it\u2019s also a heartfelt throwback to a bygone era of classic gothic romance films. (1\/2) pic.twitter.com\/WrkuT2yzOs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Killian (@chriskillian) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

CLAYFACE is the proof of concept of DC Studios: a movie that works on its own first, all shared universe considerations secondary. That it\u2019s also a well-written, beautifully acted body horror\/mad science\/antihero monster movie \u00e0 la THE FLY and DARKMAN is the bloody cherry on top. pic.twitter.com\/e5j6O4wa8H<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bill Bria (@billbria) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The hype for Clayface is REAL. Between Tom Rhys bringing the character to life and the promise of a darker, more psychological take on a comic book villain, we got something truly special. pic.twitter.com\/O0tareBob3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 WHO LET US OUT (@Wholetusout) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This definitely felt like a VILLAIN movie and not an anti-hero ! Which makes it even better! I went in thinking it was going to be Venom and left excited it was a VILLAIN and dark movie! Clayface for the win!<\/p>\n

\u2014 The Daily Kryptonian (@TheDailyKrypto) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

James Watkins was showing off in #Clayface<\/a>, flexing some practical effects and brutal ideas. Big win for horror fans.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s really visceral, both in violent\/bloody sense but also mentally. It\u2019s a mindfuck at times with some dark, true villain turns by the end. Whewwwww. pic.twitter.com\/cwYKVp4rdP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brandon Davis (@BrandonDavisBD) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

‘CLAYFACE’ is a shockingly gruesome horror that holds NOTHING back. It goes all the way with it\u2019s grotesque imagery. Surprisingly, it\u2019s also funny. The film goes from darkly depressing to wacky, colourful, and absurd. A welcome change of tone that proves the DCU can do it all. pic.twitter.com\/xxtkodKwTN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DCU Brief (@DCUBrief) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#clayface<\/a> is everything you want from a villain led movie. No more anti hero Bs, DC understands that tragic Villains can exist. I was harsh with Lanterns and Supergirl so I went into this movie excited, but nervous. This movie reminds you why Batman villains are different. pic.twitter.com\/9ukhKhfGnj<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Conor (@Conorville08) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Clayface<\/a> is one of the best DCU projects by a landslide. Brilliant story and character moments. This is made with love. It setups up for BIG things to come in the most exciting way I seen since 2025. Bring your tissues but not because it\u2019s a sad movie. pic.twitter.com\/brdFSEDgqG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2606 \ud83d\udc7bhaunted star\ud83c\udf83\u22c6\u2b52\u02da.\u22c6 (@maddyfilmgal) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#CLAYFACE<\/a>: the body horror and Tom Rhys Harris’s performance are genuinely excellent, but the story and some bizarre choices make this an odd third entry for a DCU still finding its identity. There’s a lot to love here, even if not all of it works. pic.twitter.com\/VsAFVn3j1w<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Shahbaz \u2022 The Movie Podcast (@shayhbaz) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Clayface<\/a> completely blew me away. It\u2019s disgusting, inventive, and astonishingly funny and earnest. It slots into the DCU so effortlessly. You owe it to yourself to see it in a theater filled with other people\u2019s reactions. pic.twitter.com\/3K7oVrTscv<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jenna Anderson (@heyitsjennalynn) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Clayface<\/a> rips! I attended the first-ever screening this past Sunday and my theater CHEERED. This is a straight-up body horror\/monster movie that doesn\u2019t hold back. It\u2019s a special and GORY W for the DCU! You guys aren\u2019t ready for this one!<\/p>\n

More to come! Follow me for more! pic.twitter.com\/0x6Qzhcx5d<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Travis (@TrickOrTravis) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#CLAYFACE<\/a> is so gross & yet you can\u2019t look away. I\u2019m not a fan of horror but this was a masterpiece.@TomRhysHarries<\/a> delivers a star making performance that\u2019s charismatic & horrifying. Naomi Ackie is equally as powerful.<\/p>\n

I watched the entire movie like this \ud83e\udee3 I\u2019m blown away. pic.twitter.com\/NOKnzZpu61<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 POC Culture (@POCculture) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

#Clayface<\/a> is a MASSIVE step for DC Studios. It\u2019s gross, it\u2019s scary, and it\u2019s a FANTASTIC entry. Tom Rhys Harries is awesome as Clayface, and I hope we get to see more DC villains getting their spotlight in the future!!!<\/p>\n

\u2014 JustAlexx (@JustAlexxLIVE) October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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