First social media reactions to DC Studios' R-rated 'Clayface' are largely positive
After early screenings, first social media reactions to DC Studios' R-rated body horror film Clayface praise its gore and Tom Rhys Harries' performance. The film opens in theaters on 23 October.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2First reactions to DC Studios' R-rated body horror film Clayface appeared on social media on 14 October, ahead of its theatrical release on 23 October. Screen RantN “the first set of reactions for the comic book installment have finally been shared online.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ The Hollywood ReporterLC “Clayface doesn’t hit theaters until Oct. 23” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Left · 1The Hollywood Reporter said DC held a number of screenings on Tuesday night and allowed brief social media reactions, while the critics' review embargo does not lift until 21 October. The Hollywood ReporterLC “the critcs’ review embargo isn’t until Oct. 21, but DC held a number of screenings on Tuesday night, and allowed brief social media reactions to the film.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Mixed · 2The film is directed by James Watkins, and the Hollywood Reporter credits Hossein Amini and Mike Flanagan as co-writers; Screen Rant describes it as Flanagan-penned. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Directed by James Watkins, and co-written by Hossein Amini and horror maestro Mike Flanagan” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Screen RantN “the Mike Flanagan-penned feature is off to a strong start.” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Left · 1Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen/Clayface, with Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan also in the cast. James Gunn and The Batman director Matt Reeves are among the producers. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen/Clayface. The cast also includes Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan.”“James Gunn and The Batman director Matt Reeves are among the producers of Clayface.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Left · 1The official synopsis follows Hagen's rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man, his disfigurement after a crime boss's actions, and a treatment that restores him but affects his grip on reality and sends him on a path of revenge. The Hollywood ReporterLC “Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Centre · 1Screen Rant quoted reactions from critics and fans that praised the film's gore, body horror and Harries' performance. ComicBook's Chris Killian called it "incredible", Collider's Steve Weintraub said it is a "hard R" and "Strong recommend", and The Au Review's Peter Gray called it "BRUTAL". Screen RantN “CLAYFACE is incredible! It molds Matt Hagen’s tragic backstory into a wildly gory spectacle.”“It’s a hard R and loaded with brutal scenes that really surprised me.”“this is an exciting addition to Gunn’s DCU. Tom Rhys Harries brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace to the role.” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Centre · 1One quoted reaction was more mixed: a poster from The Movie Podcast found the body horror and Harries' performance excellent but called the story and some choices "bizarre", making it "an odd third entry" for the DCU. Screen RantN “the story and some bizarre choices make this an odd third entry for a DCU still finding its identity.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Mixed · 2The Hollywood Reporter summarised the early consensus as being that genre fans will be very happy, and Screen Rant said the film is off to a strong start, while noting that the wider response remains to be seen. The Hollywood ReporterLC “the early consensus seems to be genre fans will be very happy.” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Screen RantN “Time will tell what the wider response ends up being for the upcoming DCU movie” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Mixed · 2Both outlets call it the third DCU feature after Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026); Screen Rant calls it the year's final DCU release and says the next, Man of Tomorrow, is due on 9 July 2027. The Hollywood ReporterLC “The film is the third feature entry into Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, following Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026).” Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗ Screen RantN “Man of Tomorrow, set for July 9” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Hollywood Reporter gives a short news item on the first reactions, with context on the controlled screenings and embargo.
- Emphasis
- Production credits, synopsis, cast, and the 21 October review embargo.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The text given quotes no individual reactions and does not note the dissenting view.
- Charged language
- “horror maestro”
- For example
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“the early consensus seems to be genre fans will be very happy.” — The Hollywood Reporter
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Screen Rant runs a roundup of enthusiastic reactions, framed as a strong start for the DCU's horror turn.
- Emphasis
- Gore, body horror, Harries' performance and DCU slate context, with a long list of quoted posts.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the review embargo date or that the screenings were organised by DC.
- Charged language
- “PEAKface”“GORY W”
- For example
-
“But so far, the Mike Flanagan-penned feature is off to a strong start.” — Screen Rant
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Clayface is released in theaters on 23 October.
- Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen/Clayface and James Watkins directs.
- Early reactions on social media are largely positive.
- It is the third film in the DC Universe after Superman and Supergirl.
Where accounts differ
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Who wrote the film
- Left
- The Hollywood Reporter says it was co-written by Hossein Amini and Mike Flanagan.
- Centre
- Screen Rant calls it the Mike Flanagan-penned feature.
Left1 article
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DC Studios’ ‘Clayface’: First Reactions
Neutral Brief news item noting the early positive consensus, with context on embargo, credits and synopsis.
Centre1 article
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DC's Clayface First Reactions Are Officially In For R-Rated Batman Movie
Celebratory Reaction roundup that mostly relays glowing posts and presents the film as a strong DCU entry.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 14 Oct 06:42 First Screen RantN DC's Clayface First Reactions Are Officially In For R-Rated Batman Movie
- 14 Oct 07:35 +53m The Hollywood ReporterLC DC Studios’ ‘Clayface’: First Reactions
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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