The teaser trailer for DC's upcoming horror film Clayface has ignited a wave of excitement among fans, who are drawing comparisons to iconic horror movies. The film, directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil, The Woman in Black), marks the DC Universe's first venture into the horror genre.
A Terrifying First Look
Released on Wednesday, the trailer introduces Matt Hagen, a struggling actor played by Tom Rhys Harries. After being mutilated in an attack, Hagen undergoes a risky surgery that transforms him into a shape-shifting mutant made of clay. The footage features unsettling body horror, eerie music, and a nightmarish close-up of Hagen lying in a hospital bed with a bloody, bandaged face, accompanied by the caption: "Look fear in the face."
One scene shows a shadow of the character morphing his arm into a giant spiked mace, while another reveals Hagen in a bathtub as his face melts. Fans have taken to social media to express their awe. On X, one user wrote: "Clayface looks absolutely incredible. A truly scary spin on one of Batman's coolest villains. The transformation of his skin looks so frightening and painful." Another added: "I already love this! It feels tonally different from other DCU projects, truly like a horror movie with a dark, serious tone."
Horror Legends Behind the Camera
DC Studios enlisted top horror talent for the project. James Watkins directs from a script co-written by Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep, The Haunting of Hill House) and Hossein Amini. The cast also includes Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, David Dencik, and Eddie Marsan.
DC co-chief James Gunn initially had no plans for a Clayface movie, but changed his mind after reading what he called "one of the best scripts we've read," according to The Hollywood Reporter. Gunn produced the film alongside Peter Safran, The Batman director Matt Reeves, and Lynn Harris.
Release Date
Clayface is scheduled to premiere in theaters on October 23.
