After the release of the first two DCU movies — Superman and Supergirl — the first full-length trailer for Clayface feels like it belongs to a different franchise, and that's probably the best thing for the DCU right now.
The trailer for the R-rated movie, which was released this week, wastes little time establishing that this is going to be a serious comic book movie, especially in comparison to all of the DCU projects that have come out so far, also including Peacemaker season 2 and Creature Commandos (which features the same Clayface that we will see once again).
Clayface's horror tone is exactly the shake-up the DCU needs
The trailer shows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), a rising Gotham actor whose life is destroyed after a brutal attack leaves his face horribly disfigured. Desperate to get his career back, he turns to scientist Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomi Ackie) and agrees to undergo an experimental treatment, although things go sideways soon after. If you’re familiar with the comics, you might know where this is going.
One of the biggest compliments that can be paid to the trailer is that it doesn't feel like the next "DCU movie." It just looks like a good horror/thriller that happens to star a DC character (and the source material that accompanies him).
There's a strong argument that horror is the best genre for a character like Clayface, instead of something more action-focused. His powers have always been more unsettling than flashy.
Alongside Harries and Ackie, the film features Max Minghella as Gotham detective John Pearlman, with Eddie Marsan and David Dencik rounding out the supporting cast.
Filmmaker Mike Flanagan has remained involved as a writer but had to turn down directing because of scheduling conflicts with his other projects, most likely The Exorcist: Martyrs and his Carrie miniseries. This led to James Watkins (fresh off the horror remake Speak No Evil) getting the director's chair in early 2025.
James Gunn has said that the DCU wouldn't lock every project into one tone or style, and it would be dependent on the director’s vision. Judging by the trailer for Clayface, they’re actually following through on that.
The movie feels stylistically miles away from Superman and especially Supergirl, the latter of which underperformed both critically and commercially. Those two films embraced more traditional (and perhaps a little predictable) comic book storytelling, while Clayface looks closer to a proper body horror film.
It also continues the adaptation trend that's worked surprisingly well for Batman's rogues, like with Joker (2019) and The Penguin (2024).
At a reported $40 million budget, Clayface is operating on a fraction of what most modern comic book/superhero movies cost. The lower budget naturally encourages a different kind of filmmaking, with more of a focus on character work.
Even beyond Clayface, the immediate future of the DCU has plenty to look forward to. The TV show Lanterns, which premieres in August, looks like another major change of narrative and style from what has been released so far, leaning into gritty detective fiction. The series also has an impressive creative team, with Damon Lindelof (whose Watchmen miniseries is still one of DC's best television projects), Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy, and comic book writer Tom King as the creators.
Clayface releases in theaters on October 23, 2026.
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