Clayface Director Says Sam Raimi Inspired Its Horror Style!

The DCU is moving into a darker and more unconventional era, and Clayface could be one of its most distinctive upcoming projects. The movie will explore a very different side of the DC Universe while focusing on a character whose story naturally lends itself to horror, drama, and dark humor.

With James Watkins directing, the project has already attracted attention for its unusual approach. Now, the filmmaker has revealed more about the creative vision behind the movie, including some of the major cinematic influences that helped shape its tone and visual style.

Clayface Takes Inspiration From Sam Raimi’s Horror Style

Director James Watkins has revealed that Sam Raimi’s horror films influenced Clayface, particularly the filmmaker’s ability to combine horror and humor while pushing extreme moments to the limit.

Speaking to Empire, Watkins said:

“There were definitely some Sam Raimi influences.”

Watkins then explained how Raimi’s approach to horror helped influence the upcoming DCU movie.

“The way that Sam Raimi can push horror almost to ridiculousness, and humor. I mean ridiculousness in a good way. But pushing it where we’re all walking that line of ‘Oh man, this is extreme, and we know it’s extreme and we’re in it together.’ The boldness of what he does. There are a couple of Sam Raimi sequences, as it were.”

The comments suggest that Clayface will not treat its horror elements as completely serious throughout. Instead, Watkins appears interested in the same balance that made Raimi’s horror movies stand out.

That could be especially useful for a character like Clayface. His transformation naturally creates opportunities for disturbing imagery, physical changes, and body horror. At the same time, the character’s comic-book origins allow the movie to explore exaggerated and unexpected moments.

How Sam Raimi’s Bold Horror Influenced the Movie?

Watkins’ comments highlight his interest in horror that knows when to push beyond conventional limits.

Raimi’s filmmaking often creates situations where audiences understand that a scene has become extreme. However, the movie continues to embrace that moment instead of pulling back.

That same approach could give Clayface a unique identity within the DCU.

The movie can therefore explore frightening moments while still allowing room for dark humor. As a result, Watkins could create a tone that feels both unsettling and entertaining.

Brian De Palma Also Influenced Clayface

Sam Raimi is not the only filmmaker who influenced Clayface. Watkins also identified Brian De Palma as another major inspiration for the upcoming movie.

The director said:

“The other person for me that’s probably a massive inspiration for me is Brian De Palma.”

Watkins explained that De Palma’s influence will become clearer through the movie’s mise-en-scène and camera work.

This indicates that the visual style will play an important role in Clayface. Rather than relying only on its story and horror elements, the movie appears to be using its camera work and scene composition to create a specific atmosphere.

That could help the film stand apart from other DCU projects.

Clayface Also Draws From Martin Scorsese

Watkins also revealed that he and cinematographer Rob Hardy spent significant time studying the work of Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma while developing the movie’s visual approach.

Watkins said:

“Rob Hardy, the cinematographer — brilliant cinematographer — and I spent a lot of time looking at a lot of [Martin] Scorsese, and we looked at a lot of Brian De Palma.”

Therefore, Clayface is drawing from several different filmmaking styles.

Raimi’s influence appears to be connected mainly to the movie’s horror and humor. Meanwhile, De Palma and Scorsese could have a stronger impact on the visual storytelling.

Together, these influences could give Clayface a filmmaking style that feels different from a conventional superhero movie.

What Is Clayface About?

Clayface follows Matt Hagen, an aspiring actor whose life changes after he suffers severe disfigurement during a violent incident.

Hagen desperately wants to restore his appearance. As a result, he volunteers to become a test subject in an experimental procedure that could potentially repair the damage.

However, the experiment does not go according to plan.

Instead, its side effects transform Hagen into a shape-shifting figure. He eventually becomes the character known as Clayface.

The setup gives the movie plenty of opportunities to explore body horror. At the same time, it can also focus on Hagen’s emotional struggle as he deals with his changing identity.

Tom Rhys Plays Matt Hagen

Tom Rhys plays Matt Hagen in the upcoming movie.

Hagen’s transformation is expected to form the emotional foundation of the story. His journey from aspiring actor to Clayface could allow the film to explore themes of identity, appearance, ambition, and loss.

Moreover, the character’s physical transformation fits naturally with Watkins’ interest in horror.

Instead of simply presenting Clayface as an established villain, the movie can show how Hagen’s circumstances gradually lead him toward becoming the shape-shifting character fans know from DC Comics.

layface is currently scheduled to premiere in theaters on October 23, 2026.

The upcoming movie is shaping up to be one of the DCU’s most unusual projects. In particular, James Watkins’ comments point toward a film that combines horror with dark humor while also placing a strong emphasis on visual filmmaking.

With Sam Raimi, Brian De Palma, and Martin Scorsese among the filmmakers who influenced the project, Clayface could deliver a distinctive cinematic experience.