ClayFace is DC Studios’ boldest creative swing yet — a full‑blown R‑rated body‑horror thriller centered on Gotham actor Matt Hagen, whose meteoric rise is destroyed after a violent attack leaves him disfigured. Desperate to reclaim his former life, Hagen undergoes an experimental treatment that restores his appearance but fractures his sanity, triggering grotesque transformations and a spiral of revenge.
Directed by James Watkins, with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film marks DC’s first theatrical horror entry under the James Gunn–Peter Safran era — a stripped‑down, visceral origin story for one of Batman’s most disturbing villains.
Rising Hollywood star Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) goes from Gotham street kid to leading man — until a local crime boss brutally disfigures him, ending his career overnight. Abandoned by his team and desperate for a cure, Hagen turns to fringe scientist Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomi Ackie), whose experimental procedure miraculously restores his face.
But the treatment comes with horrifying side effects: Hagen’s body begins to lose structural integrity, his skin warping and melting as he struggles to maintain his identity. As his grip on reality dissolves, Hagen transforms into Clayface, a monstrous being driven by rage, trauma, and the desire for revenge.
The film leans heavily into practical effects, grotesque body horror, and psychological breakdown — positioning ClayFace as one of DC’s darkest character studies to date. Early footage showcases melting flesh, violent mutations, and a disturbing airplane sequence that has already become infamous among fans.
Clayface
- Director: James Watkins
- Starring: Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella, David Dencik, Francesca Corney, Ruby Sear, Wil Coban
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Science Fiction
Cast
- Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen / Clayface
- Naomi Ackie as Dr. Caitlin Corr
- Eddie Marsan
- Max Minghella as Detective John Borelli
- David Dencik
- Francesca Corney
- Ruby Sear
- Wil Coban
Information on the Film
Director: James Watkins Screenplay: Mike Flanagan & Hossein Amini Story: Mike Flanagan Based on: DC Comics characters created by Bill Finger & Bob Kane
ClayFace is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran, with filming taking place across Liverpool and at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
The film is part of DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, marking a major tonal shift toward genre‑driven storytelling. It is also one of the shortest DCU films, running 108 minutes, aligning with the tight pacing typical of horror cinema.
The MPA has officially rated the film R for strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity, and brief drug use.
Release Date
ClayFace opens in theatres and IMAX on October 23, 2026, with international rollout beginning October 21.
- DC’s first true horror film, leaning fully into body‑horror rather than superhero spectacle.
- Tom Rhys Harries’ transformative performance, already praised for its intensity and physicality.
- Mike Flanagan’s horror sensibilities, inspired partly by Batman: The Animated Series’ “Feat of Clay.”
- A grounded, character‑driven origin story that explores fame, identity, and psychological collapse.
- Grotesque practical effects and a disturbing tone unlike anything else in the DCU.
