‘Clayface’ Just Made Comic Book History, and the Numbers Prove It

Comic book movies built around villains have a rough track record with reviewers. For every breakout hit, there have been misfires that left studios rethinking the idea of putting a bad guy in the lead, from Sony’s string of Spider-Man spinoffs to the sequel that followed a billion-dollar ‘Joker’.

That history is why the early response to DC Studios’ ‘Clayface‘ has drawn so much attention. The R-rated body horror film from director James Watkins is the third entry in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, and it arrives with a modest budget and a hard sell as a genuine horror movie rather than a traditional superhero film.

Now the reviews are in, and the numbers are striking. ‘Clayface’ has earned a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to the early count, and has since reached the site’s Certified Fresh status, a badge reserved for films that hold at least 75% from a large enough sample of reviews. By that measure, it is being celebrated as the highest-rated solo comic book villain movie to date and the only one with the Certified Fresh label.

‘CLAYFACE’ just made history 🫠
 The highest rated solo comic book villain movie ever, and the only one Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. https://t.co/XD9iHZclfo

— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) October 22, 2026

The number has shifted as more verdicts arrived. The film debuted at 77% from 44 reviews, then settled around 73% when the count passed 70, before climbing to 75% from 83 reviews, which was enough to earn the Certified Fresh designation.

That movement is normal as a larger sample comes in, but it is worth noting that the film hovers right at the threshold. It also places ‘Clayface’ between its DCU siblings, since ‘Superman’ sits at 83% from 509 reviews and ‘Supergirl’ at 52% from 380.

The comparison going around online sets ‘Clayface’ against ‘Joker’, ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’, ‘Venom’ and ‘Morbius’. ‘Joker’ sits at roughly 68% on the site, while the ‘Venom’ films have landed in the 30% to 58% range and ‘Morbius’ holds around 15%. Within that group, ‘Clayface’ comes out on top.

The “highest rated ever” label deserves some care, since it depends on which films count as a solo villain movie and the score can still move. But among the best-known examples, the contrast is stark. Sony’s attempts, including ‘Kraven the Hunter’ at around 15%, have struggled badly, while DC’s version has found a more favorable reception.

The positive notes focus on the horror. Early reactions praised the film’s brutal body horror and Tom Rhys Harries’ lead performance, with several comparing it to classic transformation horror. Variety’s Guy Lodge, The Wrap and Deadline were among the outlets that gave it fresh reviews.

The doubts center on the story. Some writers found it uneven, with thin character development and a tone that doesn’t fully commit, and outlets including IndieWire, the Globe and Mail and USA Today gave it rotten reviews. Metacritic is less generous than Rotten Tomatoes, with a score of 59, which points to a mixed but leaning positive response.

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

The timing matters because the film’s commercial outlook has been uncertain. Presale tracking has pointed to an opening weekend of roughly $18 million to $20 million, well below what ‘Supergirl’ managed, and early overseas openings in Italy, France and South Korea have been modest. Variety projected a domestic opening between $25 million and $35 million, while Box Office Theory forecasts $15 million to $23 million.

A strong Rotten Tomatoes score can help with late word of mouth, especially for a horror film that relies on walk-up business and a Halloween-weekend audience. But the tracking projection was set before the reviews landed, so the weekend will show whether the badge makes a difference.

For a studio under pressure after a soft summer, a Certified Fresh label is a useful talking point. It suggests that the decision to take the DCU into darker territory has paid off creatively, even if the commercial results are still uncertain.

It also reinforces how unusual the film is. ‘Clayface’ isn’t built to be a crossover or set up a team-up, and its reception shows there is room for standalone, genre-driven stories within the larger universe.

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