# ‘Clayface’ Review: DCU Molds Batman Villain’s Origin Story Into Fun, Scary Body Horror

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/clayface-review-dcu-molds-batman-villains-origin-story-into-fun-scary-body-horror/
- Published: 2026-10-21T19:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-21T19:53:34+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/10/clayface-review-dcu-batman-villain-origin-story-body-horror-1237169912/
- Topics: Art, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Horror

## Key points

- Matt Hagen’s bid to restore his face turns into body horror.
- Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie lead the DCU film.
- The R-rated film is due out on 23 October 2026.

## Summary

James Watkins’ Clayface brings body horror to the DCU through the transformation of Matt Hagen, a rising Gotham actor who becomes a Batman villain. The film shifts from the franchise’s upbeat superhero style to a suspenseful story of identity, obsession and revenge.

Tom Rhys Harries plays Hagen, whose face is disfigured by mafioso Szabo; he turns to Dr Caitlyn Corr’s nanotechnology to restore it, with terrifying consequences. The review highlights graphic horror, shape-shifting, jump scares and occasional humour, alongside Harries and Naomi Ackie’s chemistry. The film is rated R, runs for 1 hour 48 minutes and is due for release on 23 October 2026.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.