‘Clayface’ Achieves Comic Book Milestone with Impressive Ratings

Tena Milakovic
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Comic book films centered on villains often face a challenging reception from critics. While some have become hits, others have prompted studios to reconsider the viability of featuring antagonists in leading roles, as seen with Sony’s various Spider-Man spinoffs and the sequel following the billion-dollar success of ‘Joker’.

This backdrop makes the initial reactions to DC Studios’ ‘Clayface’ particularly noteworthy. Directed by James Watkins, this R-rated body horror film marks the third installment in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, presenting itself as a true horror film rather than a conventional superhero flick, all while operating on a modest budget.

The reviews are in, and the numbers are impressive. ‘Clayface’ has garnered a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on early counts, achieving Certified Fresh status—a distinction for films that maintain at least 75% approval from a substantial number of reviews. This achievement positions it as the highest-rated solo comic book villain film to date, and the only one to receive the Certified Fresh label.

As more reviews came in, the score fluctuated. Initially debuting at 77% from 44 reviews, it dipped to around 73% with over 70 reviews before climbing back to 75% from 83 reviews, securing the Certified Fresh designation. Such shifts are typical as more opinions are added, but it’s notable that the film hovers right at the threshold. It also places ‘Clayface’ in comparison to its DCU counterparts, with ‘Superman’ at 83% from 509 reviews and ‘Supergirl’ at 52% from 380.

Online discussions often compare ‘Clayface’ to ‘Joker’, ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’, ‘Venom’, and ‘Morbius’. ‘Joker’ holds a score of approximately 68%, while the ‘Venom’ films range from 30% to 58%, and ‘Morbius’ sits around 15%. In this context, ‘Clayface’ stands out as the top performer.

The label of “highest rated ever” should be approached with caution, as it depends on which films qualify as solo villain movies, and scores can still change. However, among the more recognized titles, the differences are significant. Sony’s efforts, including ‘Kraven the Hunter’ at about 15%, have struggled, while DC’s ‘Clayface’ has received a more favorable response.

Screenshot 2026 10 22 at 07 34 12 Clayface Rotten Tomatoes

Positive reviews highlight the film’s horror elements, with early audience reactions praising its intense body horror and Tom Rhys Harries’ performance, drawing comparisons to classic transformation horror. Outlets like Variety, The Wrap, and Deadline have provided favorable reviews.

Conversely, some critiques focus on the narrative, noting uneven storytelling and underdeveloped characters, with publications such as IndieWire, the Globe and Mail, and USA Today issuing negative reviews. Metacritic offers a less favorable score of 59, indicating a mixed but generally positive reception.

The timing of the release is crucial, as the film’s commercial prospects appear uncertain. Early presale tracking suggests an opening weekend of approximately $18 million to $20 million, significantly lower than ‘Supergirl’, while initial international openings in Italy, France, and South Korea have been modest. Variety estimates a domestic opening between $25 million and $35 million, while Box Office Theory predicts $15 million to $23 million.

A strong Rotten Tomatoes rating can enhance word-of-mouth marketing, particularly for a horror film that relies on audience turnout and the Halloween weekend crowd. However, the tracking estimates were made prior to the reviews being published, so the upcoming weekend will reveal if the Certified Fresh label influences ticket sales.

For a studio facing pressure after a lackluster summer, achieving Certified Fresh status is a valuable talking point. It indicates that the choice to explore darker themes in the DCU has been creatively rewarding, even if the box office results remain uncertain.

Moreover, it underscores the uniqueness of ‘Clayface’. This film is not designed for crossovers or team-ups, and its reception illustrates the potential for standalone, genre-focused narratives within the broader universe.

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