Clayface Gets Mixed Social Media Reactions - Does DC Studios Have Another Flop On Its Hands?

It looks like DC Studios may have another flop (from a critical standpoint, at least) on its hands.

More screenings for Clayface took place last night, and these latest social media reactions are noticeably more mixed than the initial round of X posts that were shared when the embargo lifted last week.

Though there's still a lot of praise for the first DCU horror movie, particularly the lead performances, practical gore FX, and the fact that it doesn't shy away from presenting Matt Hagen as an outright villain, several critics were clearly left disappointed by Clayface overall.

The script, dialogue, and several other elements are said to underwhelm, and there are even a few unfavorable comparisons to Sony Pictures' Morbius.

The full review embargo lifts tomorrow. For now, have a read through the posts below, and we'll update as more come in.

Struggling to see the vision of #ClayfaceMovie even less having seen it. It truly wears its inspirations on its sleeve, but ends up falling short of most (the cinematography is excellent) of its aims. Stumbling into sharing the same void as Venom, Morbius, etc. A total misfire ">https://t.co/jJMh4wX5Wu

— Lewis (Taylor’s Version) (@lpowell092020) October 19, 2026

Thought Clayface was underwhelming. Comes alive once the revenge aspect kicks in, though thought at the beginning it was going to be Surf Dracula the Movie Can only imagine it’s an 18 due to one of the k!lls - fairly tame otherwise 2/5 ">https://t.co/aJzj2phRfl

— Nikkipedia ⚥ 🪏 (@Hughes87n) October 19, 2026

CLAYFACE (dir. James Watkins) DC’s foray into body horror is a slick and gruesomely violent character study that plays like a slightly subdued version of The Substance, with some creatively edited set-pieces and fascinating makeup effects elevating it into a fun new DCU entry. ">https://t.co/fV1KD3NR2U

— Jack Martin (@JackMovieBuff) October 19, 2026

Just seen #Clayface could’ve been great but a weak villain with some Sony level dialogue and a bit of a by the numbers revenge plot hold it back. I don’t think it’s gonna be in the same conversation as Joker and Penguin but it’s easily my favourite DCU film so far. Tom Rhys Harries is excellent in it too and they have some outstanding makeup effects throughout. However, outside of him and Naomi Ackie there’s nothing here acting wise beyond what you’d get in a typical horror. The side characters were just lacking to me and it made me realise how much Thomas Wayne and Penny boosted up Joker. Plot wise I don’t think it reaches the heights of stuff like The Fly (which it cribs a lot from) but it’s held up by some great body horror and a really good lead performance. It’s worth seeing if you’re a comic book movie fan but I’m walking away from it a bit mixed.

— Heavy Spoilers (@heavyspoilers) October 19, 2026

Just watched #ClayfaceMovie and it’s great best DC movie in some time it’s dark brutal with some really good horror elements that works so well. Plus Tom Rhys Harries was the perfect choice to play #Clayface @DCOfficial @ClayfaceMovieDC ">https://t.co/vMJOEsDMfG

— Simon Sutton (@Sutton12Simon) October 19, 2026

#ClayfaceMovie is a good film but it could’ve been much better. It left me feeling disappointed for two key reasons. Tonally it doesn’t feel like a horror film and certainly not in the way I would’ve preferred. It lacks atmosphere and seems hesitant to fully commit to becoming one. The film doesn’t match the tone of the excellent teaser trailer. Stylistically it lacks a clear artistic vision and visual style. Some of the scenes (especially in daylight) look generic and there’s too many CGI environments / backgrounds. A film like this would’ve benefitted greatly from a distinct visual style, and the influence of an auteur horror filmmaker in the director’s chair. Tom Rhys Harries does a superb job embodying the character and Naomi Ackie is great too. Clayface has some good scenes in isolation, but strangely the body horror and how it’s depicted felt too limited for an 18 rated film.

— TG✨🇯🇲 (@TerrelleGraham) October 19, 2026

Just watched #ClayfaceMovie and it’s great best DC movie in some time it’s dark brutal with some really good horror elements that works so well. Plus Tom Rhys Harries was the perfect choice to play #Clayface @DCOfficial @ClayfaceMovieDC ">https://t.co/vMJOEsDMfG

— Simon Sutton (@Sutton12Simon) October 19, 2026

Despite Tom Rhys Harris’ star-making work #Clayface had potential for so much more. Watkins’ moody visuals & horrifyingly grotesque practical effects will make you squirm. But its basic story, jarring tonal shifts & underwritten characters are more akin to other villain movies.

— Ren Geekness (@RenGeekness) October 19, 2026

James Watkins’ #ClayfaceMovie is a DC delight. Mike Flanagan’s #Batman TAS inspired story slays with its brutal horror/comic themed narrative. It’s visceral, uncomfortable, and eye-watering. However, without Batman and more #Clayface, any brilliance is tempered. @WarnerBrosUK ">https://t.co/1w9UPAdj80

— Phil Roberts (@philthecool) October 19, 2026

First act’s a little wobbly/rushed but when it gets going it’s great! Doesn’t shy from the 18 rating and hits a real strong balance of mean spirited nastiness alongside the comicbooky side! Star turn from Mr. Rhys Harries and thankfully no ‘anti-hero’ nonsense 😂 #Clayface

— Jack-o’-Lantern Ransom 🎃 (@JR97Reviews) October 19, 2026

First act’s a little wobbly/rushed but when it gets going it’s great! Doesn’t shy from the 18 rating and hits a real strong balance of mean spirited nastiness alongside the comicbooky side! Star turn from Mr. Rhys Harries and thankfully no ‘anti-hero’ nonsense 😂 #Clayface

— Jack-o’-Lantern Ransom 🎃 (@JR97Reviews) October 19, 2026

First act’s a little wobbly/rushed but when it gets going it’s great! Doesn’t shy from the 18 rating and hits a real strong balance of mean spirited nastiness alongside the comicbooky side! Star turn from Mr. Rhys Harries and thankfully no ‘anti-hero’ nonsense 😂 #Clayface

— Jack-o’-Lantern Ransom 🎃 (@JR97Reviews) October 19, 2026

Guys I watched #Clayface earlier and let me tell you something, the film had me clutching my imaginary pearls. I left the cinema in awe of what I watched. Fantastic film. Shocking, that at points, I had to look away. Well acted by the leads, body horror and film noir galore ">https://t.co/ibOveJHCGk

— Emi Eleode (@EmiEleode) October 19, 2026

Sure, there are a few fun sequences, but #ClayfaceMovie is a goopy mess. Wooden dialogue, jarring tonal shifts and an undercooked story stop this DC entry from standing out. Not even the committed cast and some wonderfully horrible practical effects can save this film. ">https://t.co/0xbKKXRFzn

— Gavin Spoors 🇵🇸 (@supergavigator) October 19, 2026

Clayface is so disappointing. It chickens out of nearly all the violence, sold as a gruesome body horror but this was a tame, lifeless effort. I thought Tom Rhys Harries did what he could with a character that becomes irredeemable, but too little too late in this total snooze ">https://t.co/19d55VRqDX

— Rhys 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@RuhBuhJuh) October 19, 2026

DC Studios’ first-ever foray into the genre, Clayface is a horror thriller from director James Watkins, starring Tom Rhys Harries in the title role of the Gotham City villain. Clayface unravels one man’s horrifying descent from rising Hollywood star to revenge-filled monster in a story that explores the loss of one’s identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dark underbelly of scientific ambition.

The film also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan, as well as Nancy Carroll and Joshua James. James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, story by Flanagan, based on characters from DC.

Clayface is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Rafi Crohn, Paul Ritchie, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther executive producing.