‘Clayface’ Audience Score Hits Near-Perfect Territory as Moviegoers Embrace DC’s Gruesome Horror Gamble

Few things stir up a box office conversation faster than a gap between what critics say and what audiences feel. DC Studios knows that dynamic well after a rocky summer, and its R-rated body-horror experiment arrived with plenty of nerves attached. Tracking was all over the map, awareness was low and the shadow of a costly flop loomed over everything.

Then the film opened to the public, and the people who actually bought tickets weighed in. After a week of mixed signals, the early crowd reaction has become the most encouraging part of the ‘Clayface’ story.

The ‘Clayface‘ audience score is sitting at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter, based on more than 250 verified ratings. It debuted at 95% before settling slightly, and it comfortably tops the 76% Tomatometer, which is Certified Fresh from 116 reviews. The Popcornmeter reflects the share of verified ticket buyers who rated the film 3.5 stars or higher.

Critics have been more divided. The score sat in the low-to-mid 70s when the embargo lifted on October 21, then climbed to its current level. Several reviewers called the film a pleasant surprise, while others found it uneven or derivative, with outlets like IndieWire and the Globe and Mail among the rotten reviews.

Time Out was among the fans, praising its gruesome transformations and comparing it to the grimmest moments of ‘The Substance.’ Even so, a gap of 18 points between critics and audiences suggests viewers are responding to the movie’s B-movie energy more than the finer points of its script.

The contrast with DC’s last release is striking. ‘Supergirl’ landed with an audience score in the mid-70s, shifting between 75% and 77% in its first days, while critics put it at 52%. That was a solid showing on paper, but it didn’t translate to ticket sales, and the film grossed just $126.4 million worldwide against a budget of $170 million or more.

‘Superman’ still leads the pack with an 83% critics score and 90% from audiences. The ‘Clayface’ audience number therefore beats both of its DCU predecessors, which is a rare edge for a movie few people knew about a month ago. For context, ‘Joker’ scored 68% with critics but 89% with audiences, and that film went on to become a hit.

A high Popcornmeter doesn’t tell the whole story, and ‘Supergirl’ is a useful warning. Its CinemaScore came in at B-, the lowest for any DCEU or DCU release other than ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ despite the friendly online audience score. CinemaScore polls opening-night crowds in major markets, whereas Rotten Tomatoes collects ratings over time and can be influenced by early, enthusiastic fans.

That means the first CinemaScore for ‘Clayface’ will matter just as much. A strong grade would confirm that the enthusiasm extends beyond the dedicated horror crowd who showed up early.

For a film with modest awareness, audience buzz could be decisive. Earlier tracking found only 32% awareness, though 21% of those who knew about it planned to see it on opening weekend, which is nearly double the usual rate. That’s the profile of a small but passionate crowd, and horror fans tend to spread the word fast.

The film also benefits from a hot genre. 2026 has produced horror hits like ‘Obsession,’ ‘Backrooms’ and ‘Resident Evil,’ and ‘Clayface’ lands just ahead of Halloween. Surprise screenings in the UK on October 19 and a Hollywood premiere on October 13 also drew enthusiastic reactions on social media.

Watch the first trailer for #Clayface. The new DC horror film is in theaters October 23. https://t.co/gqrrtJSou5

— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) April 22, 2026

Early box office signs are cautiously optimistic. Thursday previews reportedly earned $3.5 million, with Deadline pegging the opening weekend at $20 million to $25 million and Boxoffice Pro forecasting $25 million to $30 million. With a reported budget between $40 million and $44 million, the film doesn’t need to be a blockbuster to turn a profit.

Overseas, the picture is less friendly, so strong audience scores may need to carry it through the coming weeks. If word of mouth holds, the ‘Clayface’ audience score could be what turns a cautious start into a genuine win for DC.

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