Naomi Ackie Turns the ‘Clayface’ London Premiere Into a Wickedly Sexy Gothic Fashion Moment
A horror premiere is one of the few red carpets where an all-black outfit feels like part of the marketing. With ‘Clayface‘ hitting theaters this week, DC Studios’ first horror movie has turned its premiere circuit into a moody, gothic showcase. Naomi Ackie’s ‘Clayface’ premiere appearance is the latest chapter in that campaign.
The film is directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with a story by Flanagan. Tom Rhys Harries leads as Matt Hagen, and the cast also includes David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan. The film had its premiere in Los Angeles on Oct. 13 and opens in US theaters on Oct. 23.
On Tuesday night, Ackie brought the party to London. She posed in head-to-toe black, wearing a fitted corset-style top with a snakeskin-like texture, lace-up detailing and sharply structured shoulders. She paired it with a matching pencil skirt and black pumps, with her braids worn down. Behind her, the jagged crimson ‘Clayface’ lettering against a concrete-grey wall made for a backdrop that suited the outfit.
Naomi Ackie stuns at the London premiere of ‘CLAYFACE’
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 20, 2026
The styling feels right for the character. Ackie plays Dr. Caitlyn Corr, a scientist who offers a disfigured Hagen a revolutionary treatment that gradually turns his body into living clay. Early reports on the casting described the role as a scientist in the mold of Elizabeth Holmes, and a sleek, armored, slightly dangerous look matches that energy.
Ackie’s path to the part was reported well before the cameras rolled. In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter said reading sessions had taken place in England and that she had emerged as the choice. The same report described the project as having shades and structure of ‘The Fly.’
Naomi Ackie and Tom Rhys Harries attend the "Clayface" European Premiere at Curzon Mayfair in London, England. More #GettyVideo #ClayfaceMovie @ClayfaceMovieDC 🎥 James B. Street 👉 https://t.co/nMQrxMlsBp https://t.co/OyNXS3nOMP
— Getty Images Entertainment (@GettyVIP) October 20, 2026
She has also been open about what drives her character. In an interview with The AU Review’s Peter Gray, she and Harries discussed ambition, self-worth and the insecurities pushing Matt and Caitlyn forward. Ackie described Caitlyn as someone with a hunger to prove herself and not much patience for waiting on the right opportunities.
Naomi Ackie photographed at the ‘CLAYFACE’ premiere in London. 📷 https://t.co/c1JJeSVdyJ
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) October 20, 2026
Fashion has been a big part of Ackie’s ‘Clayface’ press run. During the promotional period she attended the 2026 Academy Museum Gala in a bespoke purple Balenciaga ballgown, a look that was a world away from the sleek black she wore in London. It shows how comfortable she is switching moods from one carpet to the next.
She has a record of memorable premiere dressing, too. For the London premiere of ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody,’ Ackie wore a custom hooded Versace gown inspired by Whitney Houston’s look in ‘The Bodyguard.’ At the film’s New York event, she wore a crystal-covered Schiaparelli gown that reportedly took 4,900 hours to make.
Naomi Ackie and Tom Rhys Harries attend the ‘CLAYFACE’ premiere in London. 📷 https://t.co/nWC3BS0bOU
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) October 20, 2026
Her career has been just as eye-catching. Ackie won a BAFTA TV Award for best supporting actress for ‘The End of the F***ing World,’ played Whitney Houston in ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ and led ‘Blink Twice.’ More recently she appeared in ‘Mickey 17,’ ‘Sorry, Baby’ and ‘The Thursday Murder Club,’ and ‘Clayface’ puts her in a major role in the DC universe.
The buzz around the film has been strong so far. The first social media reactions praised its brutal, gory body horror and compared it to ‘The Fly’ and ‘Darkman,’ and the film carries an R rating in the US and an 18 certificate in the UK. The official review embargo is set to lift Oct. 21, one day before Thursday previews, so full critical verdicts are about to land.
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 stakes are real for DC Studios, which is coming off a disappointing run with ‘Supergirl.’ ‘Clayface’ reportedly cost around $40 million, a modest budget for the genre. A confident premiere circuit with its cast looking this sharp is certainly one way to build momentum.
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