First CLAYFACE Poster Teases a Brutal Body Horror Take on Batman’s Classic Villain

DC Studios shared the first poster for Clayface, and it’s exactly as unsettling as fans were hoping. The image leans hard into full-on body horror, showing what looks like Matt Hagen mid-transformation, his face stretching and melting into something far from human.

It’s a creepy visual and it sets the tone for what’s shaping up to be a seriously dark entry in the DCU.

The film is being positioned as DC’s first R-rated horror project, and the premise makes it clear they’re not playing it safe.

According to the official synopsis, "Clayface tells the terrifying descent into hell of a promising Hollywood actor who has become a monster driven by revenge."

The movie digs even deeper into the psychological side of things. The story is described as, "An intense story that explores the loss of identity and humanity, the ravages of toxic love and the dark side of scientific ambition," which gives this a tragic, character-driven core beneath all the nightmare fuel.

The movie wasn’t part of the original DCU rollout back in 2023, but it found its way onto the slate as James Gunn looked to balance out bigger projects with smaller, more experimental films. While titles like The Authority and Swamp Thing hit delays, this one pushed forward and carved out its own lane.

The project originally was pitched by Mike Flanagan, who mapped out an early version of the story and wrote the script, but things evolved from there. The current version brings in writer Hossein Amini and director James Watkins, a pairing that leans heavily into grounded, intense storytelling.

Star Max Minghella previously shared his enthusiasm for the project, saying, "I'm really enjoying working on the movie. It's a tremendous collection of people making it. James Watkins is directing it. I've been a fan of his forever. He did a film called Eden Lake, and that was a movie that really affected me for quite a while when I first saw it."

He continued, "Hossein Amini is doing a pass on the script, who I actually produced a movie with and directed many years ago. We have a very personal connection.

“Rob Hardy is shooting it, and he's an extraordinary cinematographer who I've long admired. To get to play with these amazing people in the world of Gotham is very fun. I'm really enjoying it, and I hope people will like it when it comes out."

Eddie Marsan also weighed in on what audiences can expect, saying, "James is a wonderful director, and I think Tom is an incredible actor. You're going to see an amazing performance."

That “Tom” is Tom Rhys Harries, who’s stepping into the role of Matt Hagen. He’s joined by Marsan, Minghella, and Naomi Ackie, though details on their characters are still under wraps.

Right now, all eyes are on the trailer, which is expected to drop very soon. If DC sticks to its usual rollout timing, it could land within the next day. If the footage matches the energy of this poster, we’re in for something seriously intense.

Clayface hits theaters on October 23.