‘Clayface’ trailer shocks fans with disturbing twist as backlash builds online

The first trailer for Clayface has been released, offering a chilling new look at the iconic Clayface as he makes his big-screen debut in DC Studios’ evolving universe.

Set for release on October 23, the film leans heavily into body horror, tracking the origins of struggling actor Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries. After a brutal knife attack leaves his face disfigured, Hagen undergoes an experimental medical procedure that initially appears successful but soon spirals out of control.

A darker, more disturbing DC entry

The trailer opens with Hagen in a hospital bed, his face heavily bandaged, before he is injected with mysterious chemicals that give him the ability to shapeshift. What follows is a series of unsettling transformations, with his features melting, disappearing and reforming into different identities.

In one of the trailer’s most striking moments, Hagen is seen wiping away his own face while sitting in a bathtub, underscoring the film’s graphic, horror-driven tone. Early reactions to preview footage have already described the film as disturbing and unusually intense for a DC title, signalling a major tonal shift for the studio.

Directed by James Watkins, the film blends superhero storytelling with psychological horror, marking one of the boldest departures yet for DC.

Online reactions split as debate grows

The trailer has also sparked strong reactions online, with viewers divided over DC’s direction.

Some fans have praised the unexpected horror angle, calling it a refreshing shift from traditional superhero films and suggesting the footage looks stronger than early expectations.

Others, however, have questioned the decision to centre a Batman villain without Batman himself, with some arguing the concept feels incomplete without that connection and criticising what they see as another genre shift away from classic comic-book storytelling.

There has also been scepticism about DC’s broader strategy, with some viewers saying they would wait for reviews before forming an opinion, reflecting a wider hesitation around the studio’s recent output.

A classic Batman villain returns

Clayface remains one of Batman’s earliest adversaries, first introduced in 1940 as a failed actor who turned to crime. The character’s shapeshifting abilities were added in 1961, cementing his place as one of the franchise’s most visually striking villains.

The role has previously been portrayed across multiple adaptations, including voice work by Ron Perlman in Batman: The Animated Series and Alan Tudyk in the animated comedy Harley Quinn.

Expanding James Gunn’s DC universe

Clayface is part of James Gunn’s wider plan for the new DC Universe, which began with last year’s Superman. Upcoming titles include Supergirl, directed by Craig Gillespie, alongside a sequel titled Man of Tomorrow and The Batman: Part II.

Naomi Ackie also stars in the film.

The trailer, first unveiled at CinemaCon, is already generating buzz for its unexpected horror angle, even as debate continues over whether the shift will resonate with audiences.