We’ve heard for over a year that the upcoming Clayface movie is pure body horror. Even DC Studios co-head Peter Safran just recently compared it to David Cronenberg. A high bar to clear to be sure. The first teaser a few months ago certainly felt dark in tone, but is it really body horror? Well, the new trailer that just dropped seems to point much more toward that side of things. And it does not seem to be very pleasant for old Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries). Take a look.
Immediately, we see more soppy gob face following Hagen’s experimental trial, including maybe the most harrowing moment in the trailer. When, during a turbulent flight, Matt’s eyes begin to stick shut, he goes to the bathroom and will, evidently, attempt to cut open his own eyes with tiny dop kit scissors. Guh. He says, before the procedure, “even if it kills me, I’ll be better off than I am now.” Well, that is demostrably false.
At one point later in the trailer, Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomi Ackie) tells Matt that if he’s harboring anger, he needs to let it go. It would appear he’s harboring nothing but anger, and does not let it go. Hence, he turns into a giant, writhing goo monster. As one does. This movie looks legitimately creepy and I’m very here for it. Especially if, as writer Mike Flanagan has said, the movie takes inspiration from “Feat of Clay,” the incredible Batman: The Animated Series two-parter.
Clayface, from director James Watkins and writers Flanagan and Hossein Amini, will come out just in time for Halloween, October 23, 2026.
Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. He hosts the weekly pop culture deep-dive podcast Laser Focus. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.