Early reactions collected by Variety are leaning hard into the movie’s horror credentials. Viewers praised the graphic transformation scenes, the grim tone and Tom Rhys Harries’ performance as Matt Hagen. These are first impressions shared before the wider review cycle, not a final critical consensus.
A darker corner of the DCU
Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub described the film as an accessible addition to the DC Universe that is “hard R” and packed with brutal scenes. Film critic Peter Gray similarly emphasized its violence and limited levity, while praising Harries for balancing charm with menace. YouTuber Brandon Davis highlighted director James Watkins’ use of Clayface’s abilities and called Harries a standout.
The shared thread is that Clayface plays less like a conventional superhero movie than a full body-horror story. The reactions point to gruesome imagery, a tragic lead and a tone that does not soften the character into an antihero. That distinction matters, but the verdict remains provisional until full reviews arrive.
The experiment behind the monster
Harries plays Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is disfigured by a mob boss. He then volunteers for an experiment run by scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr, played by Naomi Ackie, which transforms his body into clay and sends him toward madness.
Watkins directed from a story by Mike Flanagan and a screenplay co-written by Flanagan and Hossein Amini. David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan also star, while Matt Reeves, James Gunn and Peter Safran are among the producers. Warner Bros. is scheduled to release Clayface in U.S. theaters on Oct. 23.
