Clayface hailed as "incredible" in first reactions as new DC movie is rated 18 in the UK

The DCU's upcoming movie Clayface has earned very enthusiastic first reactions following last night's world premiere, with the lucky few who got to see it before general release describing it as "incredible" and "disgusting" in the best possible way.

Directed by James Watkins from a script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, Clayface centres on the Batman antagonist, here played by actor Tom Rhys Harries. The film's protagonist is movie star Matt Hagen, who turns to a scientist played by Naomi Ackie for help after he's left disfigured.

The reactions come as the movie has received a surprising 18 rating in the UK for "strong bloody violence" and "injury detail" by the BBFC. It marks the first live-action DC movie to be rated 18 since Watchmen in 2009.

We've rounded up the best of the first reactions for Clayface below, ahead of its release in cinemas next week.

Related: UK film release dates

"CLAYFACE is incredible! It molds Matt Hagen's tragic backstory into a wildly gory spectacle," one person wrote on Twitter/X, noting that the film contains "some crazy unique body horror moments that'll make you squirm" and is "a heartfelt throwback" to the era of classic gothic romance films.

Another viewer branded Clayface "disgusting, inventive, and astonishingly funny and earnest".

A third critic called it "a well-written, beautifully acted body horror/mad science/antihero monster movie", with another glowing first reaction argued that the film is "an awesome addition to the DCU that doesn't require any knowledge of DC to enjoy".

Harris's performance was deemed "genuinely excellent" despite the film's flaws in another post, while another person noted that the lead "brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace" to the role of Matt.

The cast for Clayface is rounded out by Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, David Dencik, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James.

Related: First look at Martin Freeman in "deeply affecting" drama with Caitríona Balfe

The third film in the new DC Universe, Clayface has been called "a very special story" by DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, who fiercely defended the movie from criticism that it was unnecessary.

"Although it may seem like it, Hollywood isn't a place where the only way to make a movie is the public voting on what IP they want to see that they've seen countless times before," Gunn wrote on Threads in response to a fan questioning the legitimacy of the film in a since-deleted post reading: "who tf asked for a Clayface movie?"

Gunn continued in a follow-up post: "Sometimes someone – in this case initially Mike Flanagan and then James Watkins and Hossein Amini – were inspired by a relatively little known fictional character and crafted what I believe is a very special story around that character."

Clayface is released in cinemas on 23 October.

Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton's life, is here. Buy Dolly in newsagents or online.

Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).