CLAYFACE Test Screening Reactions Reveal an Absolutely Gnarly Body Horror Scene

The latest details from test screenings for DC Studios' Clayface have surfaced, and it sounds like audiences are in for one of the most disturbing comic book movie experiences ever put on screen.

We know the upcoming R-rated DCU horror film leans heavily into body horror, but the newest descriptions suggest director James Watkins is taking things to a level that could leave even seasoned horror fans squirming in their seats.

According to insider Daniel Richtman, Clayface is "insane" and includes a sequence where Matt Hagen is forced into a horrifying situation aboard an airplane. Richtman claims the film features "Matt having to cut his eyelids open with a pair of scissors on a plane going through turbulence."

Just imagining that scene is enough to make your eyes water! The moment has already been hinted at in promotional footage, but hearing additional context about what actually happens has fans bracing for what could become one of the movie's most talked-about sequences.

What's especially interesting is that this report arrives shortly after another social media insider, @MyTimeToShineH, shared an early reaction to the film, saying it is "very good [and] funnier than expected. Very R-rated, very gory, has nudity too. No Batman. There are zero cameos, surprises, or post-credits scenes, so it feels very standalone."

That standalone approach seems to be a major part of the movie's identity. Even though Clayface is set within the DC Universe and takes place in Gotham City, Batman reportedly doesn't appear at all. The story is also said to unfold sometime before the events of Superman and Creature Commandos.

Batman's absence makes sense. Everything we've heard about the film points to a full-blown horror movie that happens to feature a DC character rather than a traditional superhero adventure. The Caped Crusader may simply not fit into a story that appears determined to push body horror into some truly uncomfortable territory.

The project wasn't part of the original lineup announced when DC Studios unveiled its Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate back in 2023, but it has quickly become one of the more intriguing films on the horizon. Based on the details emerging from screenings, it may end up being one of the most unique entries the DCU has produced.

The story follows Matt Hagen's transformation from a rising Hollywood star into a horrifying creature fueled by revenge. The official synopsis describes Clayface as a tale that explores the loss of identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dangerous consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.

The cast includes Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James.

Watkins directs from a screenplay written by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, based on a story by Flanagan.

Horror fans are always looking for something that pushes boundaries, and it sounds like this DCU entry is more than willing to go there.

Clayface opens in North American theaters on October 23.