New ‘Clayface’ TV Spot Leans Into the Horror Before the Transformation Hits
DC Studios has spent months carefully controlling exactly how much of its upcoming body horror film audiences get to see, doling out trailers and teasers that hint at the terror without giving away the full picture. That strategy has only intensified as the film’s October release date draws closer, with new marketing beats continuing to build anticipation without spoiling the payoff.
The approach makes sense for a project this deliberately secretive, especially given how much weight the film’s marketing has placed on keeping its central transformation under wraps. Every new piece of footage becomes an opportunity to tease just enough without crossing that carefully guarded line.
A new TV spot for ‘Clayface‘ has been released, offering fans another brief glimpse into the world of the film ahead of its theatrical debut. The clip shows star Tom Rhys Harries in character as Matt Hagen, captured in a charming, red-carpet-ready moment before the horror at the heart of the story takes hold.
He just has one of those faces.
— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) September 22, 2026
New TV-Spot for 'CLAYFACE' 🫠 pic.twitter.com/C4MLEJwgUS
‘Clayface’ follows Matt Hagen, an actor on the cusp of superstardom whose life is upended after he’s brutally disfigured. Desperate to reclaim what he’s lost, Hagen turns to scientist Caitlyn Corr, played by Naomi Ackie, who offers him an experimental treatment that restores his looks but ultimately unravels his grip on reality.
That premise positions the film’s early charm, on full display in glimpses like this latest TV spot, as a deliberate setup for the horror still to come. Seeing Harries’ character at his most polished only heightens the contrast once the story’s body horror elements begin taking over.
‘Clayface’ marks DC Studios’ first full dive into horror, directed by James Watkins, known for ‘Eden Lake’ and the acclaimed ‘Speak No Evil’ remake. Watkins has been vocal about his commitment to treating the project as a genuine horror film rather than a typical superhero story softened for broader audiences.
The screenplay comes from Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with Flanagan having long expressed interest in exploring Clayface through the lens of tragedy and horror rather than a straightforward villain narrative. That creative pedigree has helped generate significant buzz for a film built around a character who’s historically played a much smaller role in DC’s cinematic output.
Beyond Harries and Ackie, the film’s supporting cast includes David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, and Aaron Paul, rounding out an ensemble tasked with grounding the story’s more unsettling elements in genuine human stakes. Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran serve as producers on the project.
That producing lineup reflects just how central ‘Clayface’ has become to DC Studios’ broader creative ambitions under Gunn’s leadership. As the third film in the newly established DC Universe, following ‘Superman’ and preceding ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,’ its success carries real weight for the franchise’s ongoing evolution.
With the film’s marketing strategy clearly built around withholding its most shocking imagery until release, moments like this new TV spot serve as calculated teases rather than full reveals. ‘Clayface’ is set to hit theaters October 23, giving fans just a few more weeks before Matt Hagen’s full transformation finally reaches the screen.
What do you think of DC’s slow-burn marketing for Clayface?
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