Clayface brings James Gunn's DCU: Chapter One into the world of horror. And I say it is one of the best superhero movies of 2026 that you can watch.
Now, Clayface was always going to be a crowd-pleaser with the likes of horror maestro Mike Flanagan penning the script and The Woman in Black director James Watkins behind the camera. However, even as a fan, not everyone will be sold on this flick, and you may be wondering if this is worth your time and attention or if you should just wait for the next offering in the DCU Chapter One plan.
Well, that is where this handy guide comes in. Below I've gathered all the information that you need to know about Clayface. From reviews, a spoiler-free plot summary, casting details, and more, you won't find a better resource when it comes to the Batman villain's live-action debut.
Clayface reviews and release date
Clayface arrived in theaters on October 23, 2026, and at the time of writing has mostly positive reviews.
At the time of writing, the film has a 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising its body horror and general visuals. However, there are some criticisms of the writing, which never reaches the true cerebral heights that the flick is obviously trying to achieve.
In our 3-star Clayface review, we also mention how characters can feel a tad underdeveloped. However, we also praised Tom Rhys Harries's performance, the horror on display, and the DCU vibe in all the action scenes. I also personally think this flick is a ton of fun, so very much worth a watch for any superhero fans with a love of scares as well.
Clayface cast
The Clayface cast features a whole bunch of familiar faces joining the DCU. White Lines and Doctor Who actor Tom Rhys Harries leads the cast in the titular role and is joined by Star Wars and The Handmaid's Tale stars. Check out the full list below.
- Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen / Clayface
- Naomi Ackie as Dr. Caitlin Bates
- Max Minghella as John Borrelli
- Eddie Marsan as Frank Fitzpatrick
- David Dencik as Markos Szabo
- Nancy Carroll as Hildie Love
- Joshua James as Mia Torrez
Clayface story
Based on a mix of the DC comic book character's different origin stories, Clayface tells the story of an actor who goes to extreme methods after becoming disfigured in an accident. Matt Hagen turns to a off-beat scientist to help him but things don't go exactly to plan and he winds up becoming, well, clay as a result.
The official synopsis reads: "Clayface unravels one man's horrifying descent from rising Hollywood star to revenge-filled monster in a story that explores the loss of one’s identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dark underbelly of scientific ambition."
James Gunn described the movie as tonally different from what we've seen so far in the DCU as well. "Although it’s in the same universe, it’s a complete horror film," he said to CBSMornings in 2025. "That’s one of the things we want to do… there’s not a company style. It’s not like every movie is going to be like Superman."
I will say that Clayface is pretty dark, and the body horror is plentiful. I won't get into spoilers here (you can read our Clayface ending explained guide for a full breakdown), but I will say Clayface is a mature story that isn't afraid to chuck the "happily ever after" formula in the bin.
Is there a Clayface trailer?
Yes! The first Clayface trailer was released on April 22, 2026, which you can watch above. In it, we see Matt Hagen's grisly transformation from lantern-jawed big-screen heartthrob to disfigured victim of a violent assault to shapeshifting gloop-man who can transform at will. It looks to be quite the tonal swing for the DCU, which has so far stuck to co-CEO James Gunn's pop-punk sensibility with Superman and Supergirl.
For more on all things DC, check out our breakdown of how to watch the DC movies in order and everything you need to know about the upcoming sequel Superman: Man of Tomorrow.
