‘Clayface’ Test Screening Reactions Are Here — DC’s Dark New Movie Gets Major Buzz

DC Studios’ upcoming horror movie Clayface is already creating buzz after early test screenings reportedly received strong reactions from audiences. The film is set to be one of the most unusual projects in the new DC Universe, moving away from traditional superhero stories and focusing on a darker psychological horror approach.

Directed by James Watkins, Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a struggling actor whose life changes after a tragic event leaves him disfigured. Instead of being a typical comic book villain story, the movie explores Hagen’s transformation into the famous Batman villain through themes of identity, obsession, and losing control.

According to reports from the recent test screening, viewers responded positively to the movie, with many comparing it to films like Joker, The Substance, Vanilla Sky, and The Incredible Hulk. The comparisons suggest that Clayface could combine elements of body horror, emotional drama, and a tragic character study.

The reported runtime for the current version of the movie is around one hour and 50 minutes. There are also reports that Aaron Paul, known for Breaking Bad and Invincible, has joined the cast in a smaller role, although details about his character have not been revealed.

One of the biggest surprises about Clayface is how separate it appears to be from other DC projects. Early reports claim that Batman does not appear in the film and is not even mentioned. The movie is also expected to avoid major DC Universe cameos, allowing the story to focus completely on Matt Hagen’s personal journey.

The early screening details also suggest that fans should not expect the same kind of Clayface seen in animated shows or comics, where the character often transforms into a giant creature. Instead, the movie reportedly focuses on more disturbing body changes connected to Hagen’s emotions.

According to leaks from the screening, Hagen’s powers appear during moments of extreme anger, pain, or emotional breakdowns. His body begins to change in violent and unpredictable ways, turning him into something far more dangerous.

The reported story follows Matt Hagen as a famous actor whose life falls apart after he suffers a brutal attack. Desperate to restore his appearance and career, he turns to an experimental treatment that promises to fix his damaged body. However, the cure comes with a terrifying consequence, slowly changing him into a monster.

The movie reportedly follows Hagen’s struggle between wanting to regain his old life and becoming consumed by revenge. His transformation is not only physical but also emotional, as he begins losing control over who he really is.

The idea for Clayface reportedly came from horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, who brought the concept to DC Studios co-head James Gunn. Gunn previously explained that the project was not originally planned but changed his mind after hearing Flanagan’s pitch.

“It’s a body-horror movie. It’s a horror movie that, like any cool body-horror movie, just happens to be in the DCU,” Gunn said.

He also added that Flanagan’s script impressed the studio and helped turn the unexpected idea into a real movie.

The first teaser footage already hinted at the film’s darker direction, showing Matt Hagen badly injured in a hospital and teasing his horrifying abilities. One disturbing moment showed him removing his own face, suggesting the movie will fully embrace the uncomfortable side of body horror.

Produced by James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Matt Reeves, Clayface is scheduled to arrive in theaters on October 23, 2026. If the early reactions are accurate, the film could become one of DC Studios’ biggest creative risks yet, offering a tragic horror story instead of a traditional superhero adventure.

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