DC's foray into horror with the standalone film Clayface has garnered surprisingly positive early reactions, with critics and influencers praising it as a compelling horror movie and a solid addition to James Gunn's burgeoning DC Universe. The film, scheduled for release on October 23, focuses on the iconic Batman villain without the presence of the Caped Crusader himself, a departure that appears to have paid off.
Early reports indicate that the film, directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, is exceeding expectations. YouTuber Brandon Davis described the movie as "freakishly awesome," highlighting the performance of lead actor Tom Rhys Harries. Peter Gray of The AU Review echoed this sentiment, noting that Harries brings a compelling mix of "boyish charm and quiet menace" to the role.
Concerns that the absence of Batman might hinder the film seem unfounded. Critic Edward Douglas observed that Clayface successfully establishes itself as a horror film that doesn't require prior knowledge of the DC Universe, suggesting that its standalone nature was a strategic advantage.
Reviewers have also pointed to the film's potentially disturbing and grotesque moments. Chris Killian noted that while the movie "will make you squirm," it also functions as a "heartfelt throwback to a bygone era of classic gothic romance films." Overall, the initial reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with no significant negative feedback emerging thus far.
Despite the strong reception for Clayface, the long-term presence of Batman within James Gunn's DC Universe remains a subject of discussion. While Robert Pattinson's Batman exists in a separate continuity for Matt Reeves' The Batman Part 2, Gunn has plans to introduce his own version of the character in the upcoming film The Brave and the Bold. However, that project is in early development, suggesting it may be several years before Batman makes his official debut in the new DCU. It remains to be seen if Batman will eventually face off against Clayface in a future installment.