DC’s horror showcase Clayface enjoyed a strong start to life in cinemas after an opening weekend of $43 million at the global box office.
The film, produced for $40,000,000 before marketing, debuted on 23 October and topped the U.S. domestic box office, grossing $24 million.
What is ‘Clayface’ about?
Clayface is a body horror set in Gotham City, specifically, the Gotham City within the DCU, overseen by DC Studios’ co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran.
It’s an origin story for the iconic Batman villain from the comics, who uses his clay-like form to shape-shift.
The film is written by horror maestro Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House), and Hossein Amini (Obi-Wan Kenobi), with Tom Rhys Harries starring in the titular role of Clayface, aka Matt Hagen.
Directed by James Watkins (Speak No Evil), the film’s official synopsis reads: “Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured.
“Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting-edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self… but also has troubling physical and psychological side effects that spiral him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.”
The film also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.
A strong CinemaScore
As well as a promising start at the box office, Clayface is winning over critical and public opinion, ranking highly in the horror genre.
CinemaScore, which polls a sample of North American audiences on opening night, handed Clayface an A-, putting it in rarefied company.
DC Studios co-chief Gunn took to Threads to celebrate the grade.
“Really proud of this,” Gunn wrote.
“Sinners is the only horror movie to have EVER gotten an A Cinemascore, and only three horror movies have gotten an A- in the last couple years — Obsession, Weapons, and, now, Clayface.
“As always, all praise goes to James, Mike, Hossein, Tom, Naomi and the whole gang.”
Elsewhere, audiences on Rotten Tomatoes rated Clayface 94%, and most critics have also been positive toward Watkins’ film, giving it a 75% consensus rating.
After Supergirl struggled to win audiences over, DC Studios has bounced back with a double success.
Lanterns was a ratings hit on HBO Max, while Clayface looks set to be a winner on the big screen.
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