Clayface’s Rotten Tomatoes score lands between Superman and Supergirl

So, Clayface is officially DC’s next venture into horror territory, giving us a proper monster movie in the superhero universe – and, honestly, that’s not something you see every day. This isn’t just your standard cape-and-tights fare. Directed by James Watkins, the film puts Tom Rhys Harries in the spotlight as Matt Hagen, a Hollywood actor whose attempt at self-improvement with some dodgy science leads him straight into body horror territory. Think less inspirational, more transformation-gone-very-wrong.

Clayface’s Tomatometer currently sits at 74% from 77 reviews.

So where’s it land compared to the rest of DC’s recent output? It falls below the much-hyped Superman (that’s still riding high at 83% from 509 reviews), but handily beats Supergirl, which is rather floundering at 52% out of 380 reviews. Not earth-shattering, but a decent showing considering how many superhero films these days barely manage to poke their heads above water.

What Sets Clayface Apart

The critics who’ve seen it don’t just like the scares – they’re mostly into how it delivers a sense of identity crisis, vengeance, and the ethical mess of scientific overreach, all while not skimping on practical effects and unsettling visuals. The Hollywood Reporter gets particularly carried away, saying it delivers:

“the sort of psychological depth and emotional resonance that enable it to bear comparisons to the works of such body horror maestros as David Cronenberg and Sam Raimi.”

And if you’re allergic to slick CGI, this one apparently leans hard into the grim and grotesque. Time Out gave it four stars, calling it “one of the ickiest body horrors since The Substance” and pointing out that Watkins’ direction and those frankly gross transformation scenes make it feel genuinely different from the usual spandex crowd.

Then there’s the Associated Press, with Mark Kennedy flagging up the film’s odd marriage of horror, romance, and revenge. He actually goes as far as calling it a “surprisingly good revenge thriller-romance”, highlighting how it blends emotional drama with practical monster effects in a way that most comic-book movies don’t even attempt. Again, the practical effects and general ickiness seem to be front and centre here.

When - and Why - to Watch

• Clayface opens in cinemas on 23 October 2026.
• Expect a focus on horror, not just action – the film explores Matt Hagen’s psychological spiral and the ghastly physical aftermath of scientific meddling.
• Its current Rotten Tomatoes score puts it between Superman and Supergirl for critical acclaim, which, let’s be honest, isn’t a bad place to be for a horror-tinged superhero flick.