Carolina De La Rocque
Honoring the name of its “Gods and Monsters” phase, James Gunn’s DCU launched the official trailer for Clayface after two productions featuring “gods” (Superman and Supergirl, respectively, in the last two years). The film, which will be released on October 23rd, is DC’s first attempt at a horror feature and is the first film in chronological order of James Gunn’s new DC Cinematic Universe. It represents an unusual turn in the way comic book adaptations are usually portrayed — especially if compared to the standard superhero origin stories DC has created in the past, with Superman (2025) and Supergirl (2026). The DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran also confirmed that the Clayface protagonist is the same Matt Hagen as the one seen in the Creature Commandos (2024) animated series, created by James Gunn himself; the movie, though, is set before the TV show.
The story is set in Gotham City — although not the same one where The Batman (2022) takes place —, which already seems very different from Metropolis. It is dark, chaotic and unforgiving; the perfect set for a film as disturbing as Clayface is about to be. With regards to structure, it resembles what was done by the groundbreaking Joker (2019), since it centers an iconic Batman villain’s origin story in a decaying Gotham, portraying his most humanized side possible. The clip where the protagonist is called a “freak” in the streets also resembles early moments in the 2019 movie. Another aspect that seems thankfully similar is the acting range and skill presented by the protagonist — though I am always careful in comparing anyone to the exceptional Joaquin Phoenix, Tom Rhys Harries seems capable of portraying Matt Hagen in a pleasantly unpleasant manner.
The trailer showcases the usual features of a body horror picture — an unsettling soundtrack, dark cinematography and fast paced gore and dysmorphia. It makes the viewer feel disturbed, unsettled, and overwhelmed, which are often emotional reactions and elements lacking in DC stories.
The trailer’s pacing works expectedly well, as that was the main outstanding element in the film’s teaser, released back in April. The production design and CGI are also one of its highlights, being realistic while also embracing the visual in the character’s comic books. The dialogue lines chosen are also suitable, since they give enough context to the general audience to understand the film without giving away too much of its storyline. Undoubtedly, Clayface comes in a critical year for superhero productions, since the genre’s productions have been perceived as saturated and overdone, and DC lost both money and credibility with the commercial failure presented by Supergirl (2026).
The trailer’s reception by critics and fans has been pleasant although surely hindered by the release of the Avengers: Doomsday trailer yesterday (07/21/2026). In hindsight, it is possible to compare the reception of both: while Doomsday’s is made up of fan service and iconic characters, Clayface’s trailer introduces a new character, new settings and new genre to the superhero niche.
