DC Studios and its DC Universe model are having run into the again half of the yr, and it was a much-needed upswing. After efficiently launching the franchise on the again of James Gunn’s Superman (2025), the DCU noticed its subsequent huge movie launch, Supergirl (2026), completely flop in theaters. However simply as chatter was constructing about whether or not Gunn had a agency hand on the wheel, HBO’s Lanterns has premiered and damaged out to turn out to be the pop-culture phenomenon of the Fall TV season.
The DCU has extra to supply earlier than the yr is completed: Proper when Lanterns ends its run, the subsequent DCU film will likely be set to open in theaters: Clayface, a darkish origin story for considered one of Batman’s oldest (and strangest) villains. Followers have seen the trailers for Clayface and have been ready intently for affirmation about one side of the film that could possibly be a make-or-break concern for some viewers. And now, that affirmation is right here.
Clayface Will get Official Score & It’s the Darkest DC Film But
It’s now formally on the books that Clayface is rated R for “robust bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity, and temporary drug use.” We’ve recognized since final yr (through James Gunn himself) that the movie was being produced and shot as an R-rated characteristic. Nonetheless, by the point a movie goes from capturing to being in post-production, the studio’s plans can change, relying on how executives fee the completed product that’s onscreen. We’ve seen instances the place extra mature, R-rated movies get minimize right down to PG-13 scores in order that they will attraction to a a lot wider viewers demographic (teenagers) and earn extra on the field workplace.
Given the foremost losses related to Supergirl, some followers frightened DC Studios and Warner Bros. would possibly change methods with Clayface. As an alternative, this official ranking (particularly the “bloody violence, gore,” and “some nudity”) makes it clear we’re getting probably the most adult-themed DC film ever – and that’s saying one thing.
Probably the most comparable DC movies could be Joker, which was “Rated R for robust bloody violence, disturbing conduct, language, and temporary sexual photographs,” and The Suicide Squad, which received its R-rating for “robust violence and gore, language all through, some sexual references, drug use, and temporary graphic nudity.” Every of these movies received a point out of both “bloody violence” or “gore”; Clayface apparently requires point out of each to organize viewers for the expertise.
The story of Clayface follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys), a Gotham Metropolis actor whose breakout fame is (actually) minimize quick when a bunch of native gangsters horribly mutilate his face. Determined, Matt turns to Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomi Ackie), a scientist engaged on fringe experiments like a type of residing clay that might probably restore Matt’s mangled face. At first, the experiment appears to be like profitable as Matt will get his face again – however the miracle doesn’t final lengthy earlier than it turns into a nightmare. Matt finds that his whole physique is mutating in radical methods he can’t management, and his thoughts begins breaking down simply as quick as his physique, turning him right into a monster in additional methods than one.
The hardcore horror tone of Clayface could also be a obligatory promoting level; if the movie doesn’t have an look from Batman, advertising and marketing it as a DCU comedian e book film is probably not the transfer.
James Watkins (Communicate No Evil) is directing from a script by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill Home, Physician Sleep) and Hossein Amini (47 Ronin, The Snowman). It will likely be in theaters on October twenty third.