Clayface Brings Dc Studios’ First Horror Thriller to Philippine Cinemas October 21
What Readers Should Know
DC Studios’ first horror thriller, Clayface, opens in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026, with an MTRCB R-18 rating. Starring Tom Rhys Harries, the film follows an injured actor whose experimental treatment leads to psychological instability and revenge.
Key Takeaways
- Clayface opens in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026.
- The MTRCB has rated the film R-18.
- Tom Rhys Harries stars as Matt Hagen, an actor whose life changes after a disfiguring attack.
- James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini.
- The film combines body horror with themes of identity, emotional control, and revenge.
Rated R-18 by the MTRCB, the film stars Tom Rhys Harries in a Batman villain origin story that explores identity, bodily transformation, and revenge.
DC Studios is taking audiences into body horror with Clayface, opening in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026. The film has received an R-18 rating from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).
Directed by James Watkins, the horror thriller stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, whose pursuit of a treatment for devastating injuries leads him toward a dangerous transformation.
For DC Studios co-chairs and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, the film reflects their ambition to offer different experiences across the studio’s slate.
“The fact that we can make a true R-rated horror movie for DC Studios, that’s just a dream come true,” Safran said.
A Gotham Actor’s Rise Takes a Dark Turn
Clayface follows Matt Hagen’s rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man. His career collapses when a local crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured.
Abandoned by his team, Matt turns to a cutting-edge treatment that restores his appearance. But the procedure also affects his grip on reality, sending him down a destructive path driven by revenge.
The story brings one of Batman’s villains into a horror setting, with Matt’s changing body and psychological state at the center of his origin.
Horror Built Around Identity and Control
Watkins said the film draws on anxieties about losing the ability to work, one’s reputation, and one’s identity. It also explores the fear of the body turning against itself.
Rather than relying primarily on jump scares, the director wanted the horror to connect with fears that remain with viewers after they leave the cinema.
“I want to have scares that get under your skin and that speak to anxieties we all share,” Watkins said.
Revenge is another central theme. Matt’s tragedy examines whether people can control their emotions—or whether those emotions take control of them.
The Cast and Creative Team
Joining Harries are Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll, and Joshua James.
Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with a story by Flanagan. Flanagan’s previous horror work includes Oculus, Doctor Sleep, and The Haunting of Hill House.
The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, and Peter Safran. Its creative team includes cinematographer Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris, and costume designer Keith Madden, with music by Volker Bertelmann.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, Clayface opens exclusively in Philippine cinemas on October 21, 2026.
Watch the official Clayface trailer.
Photo credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Clayface open in Philippine cinemas?
The film opens on October 21, 2026.
What is Clayface’s Philippine classification?
It is rated R-18 by the MTRCB.
Who plays Matt Hagen in Clayface?
Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, the film’s central character.
Who directed and wrote the film?
James Watkins directed it, with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini and a story by Flanagan.
What is Clayface about?
It follows an actor who seeks treatment after a disfiguring attack, only to experience changes that affect his grip on reality and fuel his pursuit of revenge.
Gabriel
Introvert, wanderer, blogger, foodie, a hip-hop music writer, and one of the co-founders of a tech start-up company called GigsManila.
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