Clayface backdrop
Clayface poster
Horror Thriller Science Fiction
Look fear in the face.

Clayface (2026)

Runtime 109 min
Release date 19/10/2026
Country United States of America
Production
DC Studios DC Studios
Domain Entertainment Domain Entertainment
6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company 6th & Idaho Motion Picture Company
Troll Court Entertainment Troll Court Entertainment
The Safran Company The Safran Company
Overview
Matt Hagen's meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss's 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… but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.
Directors & Screenwriters
James Watkins profile photo
James Watkins
Director
Mike Flanagan profile photo
Mike Flanagan
Screenwriter
Hossein Amini profile photo
Hossein Amini
Screenwriter
Cast
Tom Rhys Harries profile photo
Tom Rhys Harries
as Matt Hagen
/ Clayface
Naomi Ackie profile photo
Naomi Ackie
as Caitlyn Corr
Eddie Marsan profile photo
Eddie Marsan
as Frank Fitzpatrick
Max Minghella profile photo
Max Minghella
as John Borrelli
David Dencik profile photo
David Dencik
as Markos Szabo
    Francesca Corney profile photo
    Francesca Corney
    as Rosie
    Ruby Sear profile photo
    Ruby Sear
    as Theresa
    Wil Coban profile photo
    Wil Coban
    as Bones
    Joshua James profile photo
    Joshua James
    as Corey Bowery
    Jake Curran profile photo
    Jake Curran
    as Patches
    Nancy Carroll profile photo
    Nancy Carroll
    as Hildie Love
    Olivia-Mai Barrett profile photo
    Olivia-Mai Barrett
    as Niki
    Sonita Henry profile photo
    Sonita Henry
    as Clara Finch (uncredited)
    Adam Silver profile photo
    Adam Silver
    as Troy Hunt
    Rob Brydon profile photo
    Rob Brydon
    as Vic Chissler
    Joana Ribeiro profile photo
    Joana Ribeiro
    as Mia Torrez
    Emily Florence profile photo
    Emily Florence
    as Nightclub Girl
    Tim Faraday profile photo
    Tim Faraday
    as Limo Driver
    Tanya Moodie profile photo
    Tanya Moodie
    as Holly
    Aaron Paul profile photo
    Aaron Paul
    as Jimmy Hagen (uncredited)
    Yoav Besorai profile photo
    Yoav Besorai
    as Bobby Showbiz
    Corey Johnson profile photo
    Corey Johnson
    as Cadillac Sal
    Daniel Betts profile photo
    Daniel Betts
    as Carmine Junior
    Sam Hazeldine profile photo
    Sam Hazeldine
    as Chris (uncredited)
    Gina Bramhill profile photo
    Gina Bramhill
    as Flight Attendant
    Michael Shaeffer profile photo
    Michael Shaeffer
    as (uncredited)
    Ishtar Currie Wilson profile photo
    Ishtar Currie Wilson
    as Matt’s Mother
    Chloe Zeitounian profile photo
    Chloe Zeitounian
    as Reporter 1
    Mark Holden profile photo
    Mark Holden
    as Investigator
    Default profile image
    Lorraine Tai
    as (uncredited)
    Default profile image
    Jean-Pascal Heynemand
    as Lawyer (uncredited)
    Becky Bush profile photo
    Becky Bush
    as Actress at Awards
    Enzo Squillino Jr. profile photo
    Enzo Squillino Jr.
    as Jimmy (uncredited)
    Derek Siow profile photo
    Derek Siow
    as Agent
    Baba Oyejide profile photo
    Baba Oyejide
    as Jimmy Eggs
    Jack Colgrave Hirst profile photo
    Jack Colgrave Hirst
    as Salami Pete
    Default profile image
    R.A. Donnelly
    as Police Officer (uncredited)
    Default profile image
    Seth Isaac Thomas
    as Young Matt
    Default profile image
    Jessica Grundle
    as TV Presenter (uncredited)
    Default profile image
    Emma Monnickendam
    as Makeup Trainee
    Chris Cutler profile photo
    Chris Cutler
    as Gang Member (uncredited)
    Liam Lau Fernandez profile photo
    Liam Lau Fernandez
    as Third Assistant Director
    Default profile image
    Nick Davison
    as Court Spectator (uncredited)
    Default profile image
    Kandy Rohmann
    as TV Reporter
    Default profile image
    Jennifer Drew Ememandu
    as Waiter (uncredited)
    Default profile image
    Juan Hernandez
    as Gangster 1
    Samson Ajewole profile photo
    Samson Ajewole
    as Gangster 2
    Daniel Tuite profile photo
    Daniel Tuite
    as Gangster 3
All trailers
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Anything for her.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:22
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

The new face of Halloween.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:19
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Screen X: Surrounded by three screens really pulls you into Clayface

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:18
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Look at him now.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

He’s making himself known. Clayface is the #1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:14
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Clayface made its mark and is the #1 MOVIE IN THE WORLD.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:09
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Time to lock in on weekend plans.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:19
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

You heard them!

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:12
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

See it with your own eyes.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Smile, it's Clayface Day!

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:07
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Don’t be shy.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:07
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

It's time to look fear in the face.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:17
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Intense, exciting, and holding nothing back.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:37
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

See how dark it gets.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:11
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

See why Clayface is the talk of the town.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:12
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

It's time.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:10
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

The chaos has begun. Clayface is now Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:10
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

It’s time to get acquainted.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:15
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

The reactions say it all

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:23
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Who is he?

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:07
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Take it all in.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

From one face to another.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:08
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

What do we want? We want you in the theater.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:21
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

The possibilities are endless.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Final form loading.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:09
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Embrace the change.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:09
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Only one more week until clayday!

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:19
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

A chilling look at Clayface

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:07
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

You have to see it to believe it.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:15
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Your eyes won't believe it.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:12
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

I Feel Great

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:30
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Are you ready to face your fear?

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:09
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Dive into the darkness of Clayface.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:14
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Dare to watch a sneak peek of THAT scene

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

It's all about to change in Clayface.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:11
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Look at what they’ve done.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Spiraling out of place.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:11
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Like his face?

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

There's no turning back.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:07
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Learn to control it.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:19
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Nothing is the same.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:09
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Pain and humiliation, two ingredients to make the perfect villain.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Beware of the mutations.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

We're in unknown territory.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Can you see the man underneath?

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:36
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

It's right in front of your eyes.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

There's no hiding.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

What's happening to him?

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

See for yourself. Search Clayface.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:10
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Final Trailer

Video: YouTube
Duration: 01:42
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

In Cinemas on October 23

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:31
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Second chances aren’t free.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

A new life begins.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:25
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Can't keep it contained.

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:17
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Official Trailer

Video: YouTube
Duration: 02:26
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Official Trailer Tease

Video: YouTube
Duration: 00:16
Horror Thriller Science Fiction

Clayface

Official Teaser

Video: YouTube
Duration: 01:04
Did You Know?
Clayface: Shrouded in Mystery as DC Releases Comic Tie‐Ins Ahead of 2026 Thriller
Image via headtopics.com,

A mud‑splattered horror thriller, Clayface creeps into theaters with a whisper‑quiet marketing push and a flood of collector‑grade comics.

DC’s next big horror‑thriller, simply titled Clayface, is slated for an October 23, 2026 release, but the studio has deliberately shunned the usual blockbuster fanfare. Instead of a barrage of posters and TV spots, fans have been treated to a handful of cryptic trailers that tease a grotesque, shape‑shifting villain while keeping the bulk of the story under wraps. The real buzz comes from a series of limited‑edition comic variant covers that preview the film’s visual tone. At the helm are director James Watkins and writer Mike Flanagan, who are steering the narrative toward a blend of tragedy and body horror. Early trailer frames hint at Matt Hagen’s slow metamorphosis into a massive, mud‑coated mass, even showcasing a bathtub scene that suggests he’s nearing full control of his powers. Behind the scenes, writers Amini and Boron are reportedly weaving a story that probes both the horror and the lingering humanity of a character long relegated to cameo status. DC is reinforcing the cinematic tease with a clutch of comic tie‑ins. From mid‑October, several titles will feature limited‑edition variant covers by legendary artists, ranging from hyper‑realistic grotesqueries to stylized nightmare landscapes. A special one‑shot, "Clayface: Celebrity Dirt," drops on October 14, curating iconic storylines and acting as a bridge between the comic canon and the upcoming film’s aesthetic. The production roster reads like a horror hall of fame, with James Gunn, Lynn Harris, Matt Reeves, and Peter Safran producing alongside Watkins and Flanagan. By pairing the film with curated comic releases rather than a traditional hype machine, DC aims to craft a multi‑layered experience that pulls collectors from the page to the screen—and back again—promising a fresh, unsettling entry into the DCU.
DCU Gives Fresh Looks At Clayface Body Horror Ahead Of October 2026 Origin Story
Image via screenrant.com,

The gooey terror of Clayface is finally surfacing—here’s what we know before the October 23 debut

Even after a handful of trailers, DC has kept the upcoming Clayface film shrouded in secrecy, likely to protect the reveal of Matt Hagen’s final form—a massive, shape‑shifting sludge that fans of the classic Batman villain will recognize. The marketing silence has only heightened anticipation for the body‑horror spectacle the studio promises. This Halloween season, the mystery is getting a visual boost from a series of limited‑edition variant comic covers. Legendary artists like Jim Lee, Brian Bolland, Frank Cho, Björn Barends, and Rafael Albuquerque are putting their spin on Clayface’s grotesque new look across titles such as Batman #14, Batman and Robin: Year One #3, and Detective Comics #1114. Barends’ haunting illustration, in particular, suggests a nightmarish origin that could set the tone for the film’s creature design. DC is also feeding fans with tie‑in comics, including the Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #4 and a special edition one‑shot arriving on October 14 that collects classic stories from the character’s twisted past. While the movie will likely serve as many viewers’ first introduction to the villain, the comics hint at an origin rooted in the Creature Commandos and promise a blend of tragedy and horror. Set for an October 23, 2026 theatrical release, the film is being helmed by director James Watkins, with a writing team that includes Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen/Clayface alongside Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, and Max Minghella, positioning the DCU’s first full‑blown body‑horror entry as a bold, genre‑bending addition to the franchise.
Clayface Popcorn Bucket Surfaces Ahead of October 23 Release
Image via headtopics.com,

A creepy Clayface popcorn bucket teases the film’s body‑horror nightmare

A hand of oozing clay spilling from a rounded container has already made its debut in theaters – the new Clayface popcorn bucket. First spotted on the Home of DCU X account on September 25, the bucket’s unsettling design mirrors the movie’s central transformation, and the post quickly racked up over 68,000 views, proving fans can’t get enough of the macabre merch. The film follows rising actor Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), whose desperate bid to repair a brutal disfigurement turns him into a living mass of clay. Directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the R‑rated entry leans heavily into body‑horror, drawing inevitable comparisons to the 1986 classic The Fly. James Gunn has positioned it as a horror‑first experience, aiming to attract genre lovers beyond the usual DC crowd. Shot across Liverpool and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden under the working title “Corinthians,” Clayface sits in DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate and is set to hit screens on October 23. With Naomi Ackie as the scientist behind the mutation and Max Minghella as a Gotham detective, the movie promises a grim, transformative nightmare that the new popcorn bucket only begins to hint at.
Clayface backdrop

Grab a bucket of terror—Clayface’s grotesque popcorn container is as unsettling as the film itself.

The latest DCU merch drop is a popcorn bucket that looks like it crawled straight out of the upcoming horror‑thriller. Shaped like a rounded tub with a gnarled, clay‑like hand reaching out, the bucket bears the Clayface logo and promises a delightfully disgusting movie‑night companion. The design isn’t just eye‑candy; it mirrors the film’s premise. Clayface follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), a rising actor whose desperate bid to fix a disfigurement turns him into a living mass of clay, sparking a body‑horror nightmare that’s being likened to Cronenberg’s The Fly. Director James Watkins, working from a Mike Flanagan‑Hossein Amini script, leans fully into the grotesque, delivering an R‑rated experience meant to lure horror fans beyond the usual DC crowd. Filmed in Liverpool and at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden under the working title "Corinthians," the movie is part of DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. With a supporting cast that includes Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan and David Dencik, the film hits theaters on October 23. Until then, fans can reach into that eerie bucket, feel the severed clay hand, and get a taste of the unsettling world that awaits on screen.
Clayface backdrop

James Gunn’s new Clayface poster turns a comic‑book villain into a nightmarish body‑horror icon

James Gunn gave fans a chilling first look at the DCU’s upcoming Clayface by posting a grainy Japanese‑style poster on X. The artwork flips Matt Hagen upside down, his hand stretching the skin of his own face, and leans into the stark, red‑and‑white typography that evokes classic Japanese horror flyers from Ringu to Audition. The poster’s Japanese copy, roughly translated, tells a tragic tale: a fallen star who loses his fame and beauty, turns to a forbidden treatment, and is reborn as a monster. It frames the film as a descent into both physical and psychological terror, promising audiences a visceral transformation that goes far beyond a typical super‑villain origin. Clayface is being shaped by a horror‑savvy team. Tom Rhys Harries dons the titular role under the direction of James Watkins, known for The Woman in Black and the 2024 Speak No Evil remake. The screenplay is a collaboration between Mike Flanagan—renowned for The Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep—and Hossein Amini of Drive. Produced by James Gunn, Lynn Harris, Matt Reeves, and Peter Safran, the film is slated for U.S. theaters on October 23, 2026, positioning itself as a psychological thriller with a heavy body‑horror edge within the broader DCU landscape.
James Gunn's Disturbing Clayface Sneak Peek Promises A Much Darker Side Of The DCU
Image via screenrant.com,

James Gunn’s new Clayface poster turns the DCU villain into a Japanese‑style body‑horror nightmare

James Gunn just gave fans a chilling glimpse of the upcoming DCU film Clayface with a striking Japanese‑inspired poster that feels ripped from the likes of Ringu and Audition. The grainy, vertical design focuses on Matt Hagen’s grotesque metamorphosis – an upside‑down close‑up of his hand pulling at his own skin – and swaps bright comic‑book colors for a stark, horror‑laden palette. The Japanese text adds a poetic dread: “He lost his fame, his beauty, everything,” followed by a white line that reads, “A star in despair. A forbidden treatment. A monster is born.” Below, a brief synopsis confirms the film’s dark trajectory: a Hollywood star’s accident strips him of his face, and a desperate, illicit cure pushes him into a terrifying physical and mental transformation. Beyond the poster, Clayface is shaping up as a psychological thriller rather than a conventional superhero origin. Directed by horror veteran James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Speak No Evil) and scripted by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries as the tormented Matt Hagen. With a release slated for October 23, 2026, the movie promises to blend DC’s mythos with the unsettling atmosphere of classic Japanese horror, delivering a fresh, dread‑filled take on the infamous shape‑shifter.
Clayface backdrop

The Clayface movie may only reveal the monster once – and that could be its biggest twist.

An insider who goes by @MyTimeToShineH has hinted that audiences will catch a single, full‑body glimpse of Matt Hagen’s monstrous Clayface form, likely saved for a climactic moment near the film’s end. Promotional material so far has only teased fragments of the transformation, and director James Watkins has said the final reveal will be deliberately held back. Instead of a creature‑feature spectacle, the story appears set to linger on Hagen’s humanity. The official synopsis follows Hollywood actor Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) as a disfiguring accident threatens his career, prompting an experimental treatment that restores his looks at a terrible cost. As his grip on reality slips, Hagen spirals into a revenge‑driven descent, promising a psychological thriller as much as a monster movie. The cast rounds out with Naomi Ackie as Caitlyn Corr, and supporting turns from David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan. Watkins directs from a script co‑written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, aiming for a layered narrative that balances character drama with the iconic villain’s iconic shape‑shifting. If the rumor holds true, the single, full‑form appearance could make the monster’s debut all the more shocking – provided the film delivers on its character‑driven premise. Clayface is slated for a worldwide release on October 23, 2026.
Clayface backdrop

The shape‑shifting Batman foe finally gets his own R‑rated horror film

DC Studios is turning its attention to one of Batman’s most unsettling adversaries this fall. James Watkins’ upcoming Clayface will be the first R‑rated theatrical entry in the new DCU, taking the shapeshifting monster out of the cartoon world and onto the big screen. Screenwriter Mike Flanagan, fresh from his work on the Carrie TV series, revealed that adapting Clayface felt like uncharted territory – the character has never headlined a feature film before. After Flanagan and veteran writer Hossein Amini drafted the script, they handed it to Watkins, who now steers the project toward its horror‑laden finish. Tom Rhys Harries steps into the role of Matt Hagen, an actor desperate to correct a disfigurement who ends up becoming the iconic Clayface. The R‑rated thriller follows his grotesque transformation and the terrifying consequences that follow, building on the character’s brief live‑action cameo in the Gotham series and his recent animated debut in Creature Commandos.
DC's New Clayface Film Promises a Body‑Horror Take on Gotham's Clayman
Image via headtopics.com,

Clayface is set to turn the DCU into a full‑blown body‑horror nightmare.

James Watkins, the mind behind recent modern horror hits, is taking DC’s most grotesque shapeshifter and turning him into a R‑rated terror tale. The film follows struggling actor Matthew Hagen, whose desperate bid for a career boost lands him in an experimental procedure that leaves him a living lump of clay—able to mold his form at will but trapped in a nightmarish new skin. The project rides a growing wave of superhero horror, joining the likes of Brightburn’s evil Kryptonian child, Constantine’s occult‑laden Los Angeles, Sam Raimi’s mask‑ticking Darkman, and The New Mutants’ psychological monster mash. Each of those films proved that capes and super‑powers can be just as effective when they’re twisted into dread, and Clayface promises to push the formula even further with visceral body‑horror. Set for a 2026 release, the movie could reshape the tone of the DCU, opening doors for darker villains such as Professor Pyg, Man‑Bat, and Scarecrow to step out of the shadows. By swapping the usual glossy heroics for a grim, atmospheric descent into corruption of flesh, Clayface may signal a new era where comic‑book icons become the stuff of nightmares rather than just blockbuster spectacles.
‘Clayface’ Director James Watkins on Why He “Auditioned the Hell” Out of Star Tom Rhys Harries
Image via hollywoodreporter.com,

Tom Rhys Harries transforms into DC’s most tragic monster, and the audition saga reads like a horror‑movie in itself.

The world premiere of Warner Bros.’ Clayface at the Hollywood Legion Theater revealed just how grueling the search for Matt Hagen’s dual identity was. Director James Watkins admits he “auditioned the hell out of him,” spending three months and two extensive screen tests with Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries before settling on the man who would embody a Hollywood star turned shape‑shifting nightmare. Harries, known for roles in Suspicion and White Lines, dove headfirst into the body‑horror thriller, working closely with Watkins to workshop the character’s emotional arc. Co‑star Naomi Ackie, who plays the scientist behind Hagen’s experimental procedure, praised his “hardworking” and “lightness” on set, noting that he managed countless physical transformations while keeping the audience’s empathy intact. Producer Lynn Harris highlighted the film’s grounded approach, emphasizing that the tragedy of a regular guy making a terrible choice drives the story. As Watkins teases, the movie blends horror, heart, and humor into a “full meal,” with Harries’ toughest moment coming in a gory finale where he’s “lying in a lot of gook and gunk.” Clayface opens on Oct. 23, promising a fresh, body‑focused scare for DC fans.