The new millennium brought a shift in attitude across many aspects of culture. One of the prime examples of this can be found in film; horror movies specifically — and, on an even more granular level, in vampire movies. Vampire flicks of the past mostly focused on the savage nature of immortal monsters and their insatiable lust for human blood. Vampy pictures of the 2000s and beyond have explored many other aspects of vampire “life,” such as love, art and music, and even self-betterment.

Ergo, the last 26 years have produced some of the best vampire movies in cinema history. With visually stunning remakes of classics, like the Gothic masterpiece Nosferatu, and pensive takes on coming-of-age(less) tales, such as Let the Right One In, the vampire films of the 21st century are as devilishly diverse as they are eternally enthralling.

6

‘Underworld’ (2003)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Underworld is the perfect example of a film that critics panned, but fans consumed with reckless abandon and guilty-pleasure glee. This movie feels like it was adapted from a graphic novel (it’s just that stylized), but it was birthed from a completely original idea. It’s not Shakespeare…although the filmmakers do credit Romeo and Juliet as a source of inspiration… It was written by Kevin Grevioux, Len Wiseman, and, believe it or not, Mr. Gemstone himself, Danny McBride, and has the epic feel of a modern classic (heck, it spawned four other films, making it one of the most expansive vampire franchises in history). Directed by Wiseman, this is one of the sleekest action-horror movies ever created, with an icy blue/ethereal emerald color palette, stunning fight choreography, and really cool beastly transformations (even with the use of, in retrospect, very inchoate CGI).

The tale (as old as time) is of two star-crossed lovers. Michael (Scott Speedman, coming in hot off Felicity fame) is a regular shmoe (well, he’s a doctor, but still, just a human), and Selene (British temptress Kate Beckinsale), well, her backstory is a bit more complex. She’s a vampire, and a part of an elite squad of blood-imbibers who hunt Lycans (a sub-sect of werewolves that have been battling vampires since ancient times). Selene has always had an axe to grind with the Lycans because they kind of killed her whole family. So, Selene and Michael inadvertently link up, as she notices that the Lycans have been stalking him for some reason (what a meet-cute). In any event, one of the head Lycans, Lucian (the always cheeky Michael Sheen), ends up taking a chomp out of Michael, which turns him into a lycanthrope himself. Oops. Now the blossoming romance between Michael and Selene becomes even more complicated (plus, y’know, Michael’s life in general). The whole story is super complex, with backstory to spare, but the main takeaway from this film is a highly visual, tantalizingly tasty vampire horror-action hybrid film, only rivaled by Blade.

5

’30 Days of Night’ (2007)

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Most modern vampire films showcase the undead in at least a semi-romantic manner; lost souls cursed to wander the night for eternity. 30 Days of Night is not one of those kinds of films. The vamps here are the very definition of brutal. They are savage, bloodthirsty, and absolutely terrifying. Director David Slade creates a chilling overall atmosphere here, where the protagonists are never, ever really safe.

The concept is a really brilliant one, and almost shocking that no one came up with it before (or at least produced a film of this nature). In a remote part of Alaska, there is about a month-long period where the sun never rises, deemed “polar night.” This is when most inhabitants catch a flight to Orlando. However, some remain, and a virulent pack of vamps descend on the town of Barrow, ready to dine on whatever interior human liquid they can get their fangs on. They are led by a nasty dude named Marlow (Danny Huston), who first delegates a plan to cut off all forms of communication from the outside world. Then, when everyone is basically helpless, they launch their assault. Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett) and his ex, Stella Oleson (Melissa George), become the de facto leaders of the tiny crew of survivors, and must use their wits to try their best to hide from Marlow & Friends. Overall, the barbarity of the vamps is a thing to behold, as they kill with wanton abandonment. Slade drains the film of color, rendering it in nearly a black-and-white palette. This adds to the hopelessness and scariness of the whole month-long endeavor. Aside from some groovy action-packed sequences and really visceral kills, this movie lands on this list because it has a really cool ending twist as well. This film is not for the squeamish…but then, why are you watching a vampire movie in the first place?

4

‘Byzantium’ (2012)

Image via IFC

Sometimes, the best films carry a very strong message…that sneaks in under a spectacular spectacle of unbridled entertainment. Director Neil Jordan’s Byzantium is the key example of this type of flick. It’s a feminist tale of power and resistance that also happens to be a truly enthralling vampire tale as well. Everything about this movie is engaging, from the highly stylized period flashbacks to the charmingly squalid conditions the lead characters find themselves in during the present action. It’s a story about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her daughter, and how, even when it’s ultimately time to move on and find one’s own way, that bond still exists, and is still as powerful.

In the vampire world, things are quite sexist. There is a Shriners-like group named “The Brethren” that want to eradicate all female vampires (simply for committing the crime of existing). These dudes are so subconsciously self-hating that they want all female vamps dead because they don’t want them to pass on the “curse” of vampirism. Hmm, sounds suspect. These men have caught wind of a mother-daughter duo who have been surviving (in their own, very different ways) on their own terms for centuries. There is Clara (Gemma Arterton), the free-spirit, and her lass, Eleanor (Saoirse Ronan), the sensitive introvert. The pair escape the vile clutches of the Brethren and take refuge in a run-down coastal town, at an old residence called the Byzantium Hotel. Clara, true to her calling, turns the place into a bustling bordello, and the good times (and eventually, heads) roll. After a tumultuous time there, eventually having to fend off their foes, Clara and Eleanor come to a touching, parting agreement. This is a very poignant, poetic film…despite the buckets of blood spilled.

3

‘Let the Right One In’ (2008)

Image via Magnet Releasing

A film’s setting can greatly impact the overall mood, tone, and even story. When Swedish director Tomas Alfredson took on the task of bringing the book of the same name to the silver screen (with the help of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s self-adapted screenplay, of course), he elected to have the film play out during the cold, dark winter of a small Swedish town. This was a decidedly wise choice, as the bitterness and icy extremities of the tale are not only seen onscreen, but felt bone-deep. Let the Right One In is not your typical vampire story, but that is precisely what makes it so good. Running with the concept of immortality, and that of aging mentally in a body that never does so physically, these stellar themes bloom even more when juxtaposed with a child protagonist who is at the cusp of undergoing major (natural) changes.

The story is centered on Oskar (Kåre Hedebrant), a small, quiet boy. Oskar’s home life isn’t so great (he’s visibly neglected), and school life is not so hot either (he’s mercilessly bullied). When a new “family” moves in next door, and Oskar befriends the “young daughter,” Eli (Lina Leandersson), his perspective on life begins to, let’s say, thaw. Eli resides in the ostensible care of Håkan (Per Ragnar), who eventually is revealed to be a familiar of sorts, with ambiguous intentions, as he secures viable blood for Eli to consume — without a lot of fanfare, so as not to alert the authorities that people are being killed. Oh, Eli is a centuries-old vampire, by the way. Yet, the bond that Oskar and Eli develop is somehow pure, devoid of the acridity that often comes with elders admonishing and callously disciplining adolescence. Eli tells Oskar that he needs to take charge of his life and stand up for himself, a lesson he takes to heart (even though Eli is the one who savagely murders all of Oskar’s transgressors…). Overall, this is a very nuanced, well-thought-out film, with rousing performances by the Lilliputian leads. It prompts one to question who really should be let in, and, regardless of their inherently brutal nature, if they actually have your best interests at (non-beating) heart.

2

‘Nosferatu’ (2024)

Image via Focus Features

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How does one reinvent a classic? Do you tastefully pay homage to the films of the past that tackled the same source material? Or, do you attempt to do something entirely unique and fully your own? Well, horror director of the moment Robert Eggers believes the answer is “Yes”…to both queries. With his highly acclaimed masterwork Nosferatu, Eggers did the near-impossible: he took an iconic film and made it even more iconic.

The story (for those who never saw Nosferatu (1922), Dracula, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or even Dracula: Dead and Loving It) is about a lovely young maiden named Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp), who is head-over-heels for her new hubby Thomas (Nicholas Hoult). But, wouldn’t you know it? Thomas is called away to the creepy-as-all-hell Carpathian Mountains in Romania, where he has to do some business dealings with an “eccentric” old count, named Orlok (Bill Skarsgård, killin’ it yet again as a scary ghoul…except, no shiny red balloons here). Orlok, who is in dire need of a mani, catches a glimpse of Ellen in a keepsake photo that Thomas has with him. Big mistake, Tom. Orlok then becomes so fully enamored with Ellen that he takes an epically disastrous boat ride to England to try to “charm” her into becoming his bride. Naturally, he does this with vampire voodoo, and not good looks and suave, poetic words (a la Gary Oldman in Francis Ford Coppola’s film). Anyway, Orlok’s Lucifer-like lure is hard to resist for poor Ellen, whose very soul hangs in the balance. At the end of the day (or night…), this movie is a stunning stand-alone film in its own right, where Eggers uses shadows and expressionist lighting as well as in the original version. This may be an old story, but it’s bloody fresh here.

1

‘Sinners’ (2025)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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Very few true horror movies have ever done well at the Oscars. There really are only a handful of nominations that have been awarded over the decades, with even fewer wins. The rare exception was The Silence of the Lambs, which swept all major categories…although it could be argued that that classic film is really a psychological thriller. Nevertheless, horrors have generally been shut out… That is, until last year. 2025 saw a massive upheaval of this trend with Sinners. It became the most nominated film in Oscars’ history (and even Weapons got some runoff love). There was definitely no denying Ryan Coogler’s stunning period piece from taking home several awards, too. Michael B. Jordan won the trophy for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Coogler won Best Original Screenplay — and the movie received the most Academy votes in two other categories, too. So, while considering Academy accolades or not, it’s a no-brainer to say that Sinners is truly one of the best horror movies ever made.

If you somehow missed this gem…the story focused on a small Mississippi Delta town, where twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Jordan, as both) return after a lengthy hiatus fighting in WWI and then running game in Chi-town. They open a juke joint, and with the help of townsfolk, eager to make a buck (or enjoy a cold brew, as is the case with Delta Slim, played with hilarious panache by Delroy Lindo). So, the twin gangsters are set to have one profitable, rollicking night. Or so they thought… The central figure of the story actually is Sammie Moore (Miles Caton), the young cousin of Smoke and Stack. He is a preternaturally gifted blues musician, with high aspirations of making it big in the music industry. Anyway, the night is grooving along nicely…and then a three-pack of vampires descend, destined to cause havoc and steal souls. The rest of the film plays out in an epic clash between good and evil…and everything in between. Every aspect of this movie is virtually perfect, from the set design, to costumes, to performances, to the music — which will move even the stiffest of stiffs. It’s a phenomenal film all around, that has achieved unbelievable success — and just happens to also be a vampire movie.

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Sinners

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Release Date

April 18, 2025

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Runtime

138 minutes

Director

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Ryan Coogler

Writers

Ryan Coogler

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The Big Brother 28 cast is continuing to bring the heat this season.

In Us’ exclusive first look at the season 28’s annual backyard group photo shoot, the cast gathered around the pool in their swimwear — and left little to the imagination.

Big Brother 26 alum Angela Murray channeled former costar Makensy Manbeck when opting for a blue swim dress. (Makensy, who was the season 26 runner up, famously rocked a blue workout set that fans deemed was her lucky outfit as she won multiple competitions in it.)

Survivor alums Dee Valladares and Rick Devens enjoyed a change of pace while rocking their finest bathing suits in the home’s Los Angeles backyard compared to the lush Fijian jungle. The Survivor 45 winner, 29, stunned in a pink bikini. Current Head of Household Devens, 42, opted for turquoise board shorts. While many online fans wished for Devens to go shirtless, the father of two — unfortunately — completed his look with a red T-shirt.

Related: Big Brother 26’s Angela Murray Officially Joins Season 28 Cast

Another summer of twists, blindsides and backdoors is upon us — and we now know the 14 new players set to compete on Big Brother 28. Yes, that’s 14 new players — and any Big Brother fan will tell you, the modern game is played with at least 16. Fans have speculated for weeks that […]

Rome Seymour and Jason De Puy — a.k.a Salina EsTitties from RuPaul’s Drag Race — were front and center as they dipped their toes in the water. Rome, 28, donned green swim trucks sans shirt. The pickleball instructor struck a power pose with his arms crossed. Meanwhile, the drag queen, 35, laid back in blue shorts and an opened pink button up.

Chuk Anyanwu opted to go shirtless as well as he showed off his muscles while sitting on a lounge chair. Mallory Aurichio looked pretty in pink while lounging next to pal Melody Morris who wore a black bikini top paired with matching pants.

LaTrice “Lala” Verrett also stunned in a black bikini paired with a statement coverup. Taylor Brown kept it cool in an orange bikini and let her blonde curls flow.

Kamu Kirk, Barrett Pfeiffer, Drew Campbell and Yash Patel went shirtless as they stood in the back of the yard. Lyric Medeiros shined bright in a neon orange bikini and heels while Haley Thogmartin rocked a brown two piece bathing with a halter top and high-waisted bottoms.

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Related: ‘Big Brother 27’ Cast Soaks Up the Sun in Annual Swimsuit Photo Shoot

The Big Brother 27 cast took to the backyard for the legendary swimsuit photoshoot. All 17 houseguests soaked up the sun as they posed in their swimwear in Us Weekly’s exclusive first look. The women dazzled in a variety of beach-ready styles, from bikinis to one-pieces. The guys rocked board shorts, with some opting to […]

Ashley Trail, the first to depart from the house on Thursday, July 16, made an appearance in the photoshoot. The bartender, who was unanimously evicted in a historic 14-0 vote, dazzled in an orange bikini.

The group took an additional photo where they all wore sunglasses while outside enjoying the Southern California sunshine.

Big Brother airs on CBS Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. ET.

Marvel’s cinematic universe has been somewhat of a mixed bag recently – not you, Spider-Man – but the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday may prove to be a return to form. The post-Endgame extended universe has had some growing pains and a decided lack of enthusiasm. After plans for Kang were reduced to dust, the imminent Avengers movie offered a solution.

Featured in the new trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, Doctor Doom has returned as the Big Bad, now played – at least for now – by Robert Downey Jr. This was a decision that was met with some initial hesitation, but the new footage shows that this may be just the movie to turn the tide. Ensemble teams such as the X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and the New Avengers unite under Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to beat back this new foe. These new factions have been introduced in feature films, but there is one integral element included that fans would have only seen on the MCU television side of the spectrum.

‘Loki’ Is Required Viewing Ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Last time MCU fans saw the God of Mischief, he had died heroically attempting to stop Thanos in Infinity War. Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) travels with Thor in Ragnarök had smoothed his sharp edges, and he valiantly tried to pull off one final trick to beat the Mad Titan. Unlike every time he had appeared to have died before, this one seemed to have stuck. Loki’s death is tragic, but Endgame ensured that the Asgardian had a future.

This is all depicted in his self-titled Disney+ series, Loki. One of the early additions to the MCU’s television world, this show may have passed some by. Even though Loki is unequivocally one of the best characters in the Marvel Universe, the television shows weren’t always considered mandatory viewing. For those who haven’t seen it, that is a tragic mistake.

Loki wasn’t just an excuse to get Tom Hiddleston to remind viewers of his nuanced portrayal – though he does that flawlessly. The Disney+ series charts Loki’s glorious purpose, but this time it’s real. Following the events of Endgame, the 2012 version of Loki finds the Tesseract during the Battle of New York and escapes captivity, if only for a few seconds. He is then found by the Time Variance Authority and arrested for his crimes against the Sacred Timeline.

Throughout the show, Loki is forced to relive his worst moments, and this ultimately leads him to be the best version of himself. He forms real connections with TVA workers like Mobius (Owen Wilson) and confronts his true destiny. At the end of the series, he fully realizes his role is not just a god but an overseer of all time. This separates him from all the people that he loved, but he finds his true purpose, and it is glorious.

Loki has become selfless at the end of Season 2. The worst part is that Thor never knows the sacrifices he made to become god of time. Hiddleston is officially reprising his role as Loki for the first time since the conclusion of the show in Avengers: Doomsday, but those who missed out on the show may be out of the time loop. Not only that, they miss out on one of the most highly anticipated reunions in the MCU.

‘Loki’ Will Make Thor and Loki’s Reunion Even Better

Those who never watched Loki may have the same experience that Thor will in Avengers: Doomsday. Thor still believes his brother to be dead and will be astounded by what he has gone through. This reunion will be gratifying, but will be even more emotional after viewing the television series that follows Loki’s experiences.

Before his impressive character arc, Loki only really cared about Thor. He carries this through his experiences in the television series, which is made even more cruel considering he can never see his brother again. Loki, of course, keeps this beneath the surface as he traverses the Sacred Timeline and undergoes the best character development in the MCU.

Loki has to accept that he can never return to his timeline and does what he can to preserve life as it should be. His sacrifice to become the god of time is that much more painful, knowing that he did this to protect everyone he cares about, though he can never see them again. If Thor and Loki see each other again, it will be tantamount to the time god coming back to life right in front of his brother’s eyes.

Without viewing this show, this coming together may be at best confusing and at worst seem out of nowhere. Only fans of the Disney+ show will understand how earned Loki’s character arc is and be fully immersed in the connection between two brothers that has been a long time coming.

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Release Date

2021 – 2022

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Disney+

Writers

Bisha K. Ali, Michael Waldron

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By Nikola Pajtic
| Published 21 seconds ago

Based on the bestselling novel by Delia Owens, 2022’s Where the Crawdads Sing gave me the same emotional sensations as the book. Directed by Olivia Newman, the film is a visual feast and a remarkable coming-of-age story embroiled in a murder mystery. It follows Kya, a young woman, as she grows up alone in the unforgiving North Carolina marsh.

Where The Crawdads Sings

While in most books, childhoods are as idyllic as they can get, that is not the case here. Where the Crawdads Sing portrays Kya’s childhood as harsh, to say the least. An abusive alcoholic father breaks the family, and Kya is left to take care of herself alone at just seven years old.

Daisy Edgar Jones, of War of the Worlds fame, beautifully portrays a girl who tries to fend for herself but becomes ostracized by the townsfolk of the small North Carolina town Barkley Cove. She is given the nickname ‘Marsh Girl’. Through the years, she has survived by selling mussels at a store owned by people who become Kya’s friends.

A Coming-Of-Age Murder Mystery

Where the Crawdads Sing sees Kya through several stages of her life, jumping from one timeline to another. On this coming-of-age adventure, Kya finds love and gets her heart torn apart by lies and betrayal. Growing up, she becomes close to a kind neighbor, Tate Walker, played by Taylor John Smith, who teaches her to read and write, and their romance blossoms within the limits of the marsh.

Unfortunately, their happiness is short-lived as Tate leaves for college and breaks the promise of returning to her. Fast forward, and Kya has found love again. This time, she found solace with Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson). Dickinson brings a believable character from the book to the screen with all its charm and darkness underneath. She soon discovers his dark side, which sets in motion a string of events that turn a coming-of-age story into a murder mystery thriller, with Kya sent to jail.

Closely Follows The Novel

As a film, Where the Crawdads Sing is afraid to stand on its own and follows the book to the tiniest details, with some timeline changes that don’t even affect the story. Olivia Newman played it safe here by following the book, which was good to see. 

I didn’t expect new twists and turns, as the film doesn’t need them. It required great acting and beautiful scenery. The score, the scenes, and the main story of Where the Crawdads Sing won’t be dull to you for a single moment, despite the film being over two hours long. When the credits rolled, I wondered how fast the time flew by. 

Cheering For Kya

I was glued to the screen from the start until the end cheering for Kya, feeling what she felt throughout this magnificent journey. Her independence and innocence hooked me and kept me on her side, a stark contrast to how the people treated her. Yet, I knew there was something more about her than meets the eye, keeping the suspense element alive throughout the entire film.

Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, was pivotal in bringing Delia Owens’ bestselling novel Where the Crawdads Sing to the big screen.

Filmed in Louisiana in early 2021, the movie adaptation arrived in theaters in July 2022. Critical reception was mixed as the film holds just 34 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with some praising the film’s stunning visuals and lead performance by Daisy Edgar-Jones, while others found the story uneven. Despite this, the film became a box office success, grossing over $144 million worldwide against a $24 million budget, and currently boasts a 96 percent approval rating across over 5,000 reviews on the Popcornmeter.

Taylor Swift Contributed An Original Song

The film score also helped set the mood, with Taylor Swift’s original song “Carolina” stealing the show. Swift wanted to create something for the film, having read the book a while back and still taking hold of her. Taylor said she wrote the song before the filming even started, and this effort earned her Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. 

A few plotholes might scare you off, but I recommend you give When the Crawdads Sing a chance. First, because the marsh breathes and exists independently as a character. Then, because of the Oscar-worthy acting of Daisy and the twist that will leave you breathless. This suspense mystery is a must-watch for those who read the book and newcomers alike.

As of this writing, Where the Crawdads Sing is streaming on Hulu.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING SCORE

By Charlene Badasie
| Published 8 seconds ago

The 2018 dark comedy-drama Maniac is streaming on Netflix. Created by Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the 10-episode series is a reimagining of the Norwegian series of the same name. It stars Jonah Hill and Emma Stone in the lead roles, supported by a stellar ensemble cast including Justin Theroux, Sally Field, Sonoya Mizuno, Gabriel Byrne, and Jemima Kirke.

Maniac Stars Jonah Hill and Emma Stone

Maniac tells the story of two strangers, Owen Milgrim (Jonah Hill) and Annie Landsberg (Emma Stone), who sign up for a mysterious pharmaceutical trial. Owen is a man struggling with schizophrenia, while Annie is dealing with a traumatic past and a strained relationship with her family. Both are looking for an escape from their troubled lives.

The pharmaceutical trial they join promises to solve all their problems with no complications or side effects. Led by Dr. James K. Mantleray (Justin Theroux), it involves a series of mind-bending, immersive experiences induced by experimental drugs. As Owen and Annie undergo treatment, they bond within a series of interconnected and surreal alternate realities.

A Cure For What Ails You

Maniac begins in New York City, where Owen Milgrim hides his schizophrenia symptoms. After losing his job, Owen joins a trial at Neberdine, a pharmaceutical company, for a new drug that promises to cure all disorders. There, he meets Annie Landsberg, who helps him avoid trouble by pretending to know him. Annie, dealing with her own issues, gets into the drug trial by stealing a badge.

After taking the “A” pill, Annie relives her sister Ellie’s death. Annie, Owen, and another test subject are questioned after the “A” pill test, and Owen reveals his past trauma. When the GRTA supercomputer malfunctions, it links Annie and Owen during the “B” pill test. The malfunction leads to complications in the trial, and Dr. Greta Mantleray (Sally Field) is brought in to fix it.

Well-Received By Critics And Audiences Alike

Maniac received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Hill and Stone, as well as the ambitious and imaginative storytelling. The series was lauded for its unique visual style, thought-provoking themes, and eclectic approach. The aesthetic draws on influences from the 1980s and incorporates retro-futuristic elements.

The series premiered at the Southbank Centre in London, England, in September 2018, followed by its American debut two days later at Center 415 in Manhattan, New York. Maniac, described as “wild, audacious, addictive” and a “brilliant piece of world-building,” currently holds an 84 percent critics score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes alongside an equally impressive 84 percent audience rating.

A Little Too Cold And Calculating

While the overall consensus was largely positive, Maniac was not without its detractors. Some reviewers felt that the show was too calculated and lacked the thrill of the unexpected despite its mind-bending premise. One critic noted that while incredibly fun to watch, the series becomes emptier the more one thinks about it.

Sill, Maniac serves as a bold and unconventional exploration of the human psyche, marked by standout performances and a distinctive visual flair. The Netflix series is a definite must-watch for fans of the black psychological comedy-drama genre.

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 26 seconds ago

Part of what makes Batman’s rogues gallery so compelling is that many of the bad guys in it are surprisingly sympathetic. Mr. Freeze isn’t some generic sci-fi villain, for example; he’s a man on a mission to save his dying wife. Two-Face wasn’t born a monster; rather, a monstrous transformation was forced upon him, breaking his mind. Unless you watched Batman: The Animated Series, though, you may not realize who the most sympathetic villain of all is: Clayface. Once a movie star, he was disfigured and embraced a desperate solution to restore his good looks. Unfortunately, it all went wrong, and his mind embraced the horror that his body had become.

Surprisingly enough, James Gunn decided that a solo Clayface movie should be the third film in the DCU. Obviously, it’s a bold strategy to make a Batman villain movie without Batman, and many fans questioned whether the Superman director had gone a little loopy. Apparently, though, there’s method to Gunn’s madness: the official trailer for Clayface gives us our best look yet at the DC’s first real horror film. With captivating performances and genuinely creepy body horror, this trailer promises to deliver all the scares that comic book fans can handle.

Definitely Eat BEFORE You Watch The Trailer

The Clayface trailer reveals a slightly tweaked origin story for main character Matt Hagen. Instead of being a more established actor, he’s a young, rising star with his entire career ahead of him. Instead of getting injured in a car accident like in Batman: The Animated Series, he is attacked by a local crime boss who leaves the actor’s beautiful face scarred and deformed. Hagen connects with a scientist who is working on an experimental procedure that could restore his famous face. At first, it works; however, it doesn’t take long for his body to start breaking down, transforming Gotham’s latest actor into its latest supervillain.

The trailer is very solid and will go a long way towards restoring the faith of fans nervous about the failure of Supergirl. Previously, those fans were asking the obvious question: if DC had such trouble creating a successful superhero film (something they had done many times before), how bad would their first horror film be? However, this trailer hints at an ambitious, well-crafted movie that will potentially blow us away. It looks so good, in fact, that we can forgive some of its more trope-y elements, like including a creepy, slowed-down version of a popular song (“Do You Realize??” by the Flaming Lips). 

A Killer Leading Man

What does the trailer do well? For one thing, Clayface leading actor Tom Rhys Harries does an amazing job as the titular character. His passion is palpable, and he really sells the idea that this rising star is in over his head at every turn. That helps make Clayface a more sympathetic character, of course: like most real-life villains, this fictional character is a victim of circumstances beyond his control. Furthermore, the road to his personal hell is paved with actions that most of us would take in his place, including taking desperate measures to get his old life back.

Aside from Harries’ excellent performance, the best thing about this Clayface trailer is how fully it leans into body horror. Now, these kinds of frights aren’t for everyone, but if you love the filmography of David Cronenberg, you’ll like what you see here. Shots of our protagonist’s scarred face are truly jarring, and it’s tough not to wince in sympathetic pain when watching his body writhe and transform. The creepy climax, though, is when his eyes start getting covered by his skin. Trust me: you’re going to scream into your hand when you see him bust the scissors out!

Body Horror Is Back On The Menu, Boys

The performances, music, and gross-out special effects come together to create a perfectly unsettling vibe. Gotham’s aesthetic is one of glamorous decay, one that channels the colorful excess of Batman Forever and the grimy bleakness of Joker. The creepy song does its job to keep you on the edge of your seat as you await the revelation of each new terror. The Clayface trailer is peak horror perfection: you can’t look away, even as you know that everything is going to get worse for every single person you see onscreen.

Obviously, this is just a trailer, and its good editing doesn’t mean the film will be good (remember, Supergirl had tight trailers, too). However, this is a movie I’ve had faith in ever since I heard that horror auteur Mike Flanagan was writing the script. Looking at the trailer, that faith has been rewarded, as the whole movie looks just as eerie and unsettling as I hoped it would. Will the final film live up to this trailer and the general hype? We’ll find out when Clayface oozes into theaters on October 23.  

By Robert Scucci
| Published 43 seconds ago

In preparation for Focker-in-Law‘s Thanksgiving release, I’ve been slowly revisiting the Meet the Parents franchise because, generally speaking, I like it. I most recently reviewed Little Fockers because I knew it was the franchise’s low point and wanted to get it out of the way. I saw it in theaters, barely remembered it because it was so inconsequential, and all it made me want to do was revisit the first two films because they’re both great.

I was initially apprehensive about revisiting 2000’s Meet the Parents, a film I’ve probably seen a dozen times, because I was worried it wouldn’t hold up. The thing is, Meet the Parents is a masterclass in miscommunication and escalation, making it one of the best widely released romantic comedies of its era. Meet the Fockers builds on that energy and makes for a fantastic sequel, though my memory could be deceiving me until I give it a proper rewatch.

Every seemingly innocuous setup in Meet the Parents has a satisfying payoff, and not a single gag is wasted or rushed. Most importantly, the first two films, especially Meet the Parents, still feel fresh because it’s our first time spending time with these characters. Learning about their individual personalities and how they interact with each other is where most of the comedy comes from. Little Fockers isn’t nearly as memorable because it plays more like a “here we go again” kind of film, whereas its predecessors get their laughs by actively developing these characters while introducing multiple conflicts.

The Quick And Dirty Rundown

On its face, Meet the Parents is your typical rom-com about a man trying to win the approval of his girlfriend’s parents, and then it goes completely off the rails. 

Ben Stiller’s Greg Focker wants to propose to his girlfriend, Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo), not knowing that her father, Jack (Robert De Niro), is a former CIA interrogator with an uncanny ability to sniff out deception. While visiting the Byrnes’ home for the weekend, Greg learns this firsthand, kicking off a series of incidents that not only make him look like a fool, but also like a total psychopath. It also introduces us to the “circle of trust” that Jack has created for his family, implying that if that trust is breached, the consequences will be dire.

Here’s how things go for Greg in Meet the Parents: the airport loses his luggage, forcing him to borrow clothes from the Byrnes family. It’s a simple conflict, but when the airline allegedly finds his luggage and accidentally ships the wrong bag to the Byrnes’ house well into the second act, it backfires spectacularly. Greg is generally an honest guy, but he’s completely intimidated by Jack. Whenever Jack grills him on literally any topic, Greg nervously blurts out a white lie. Those lies compound exponentially, making Jack believe that everything coming out of Greg’s mouth is deceptive.

Pam throws Greg’s pack of cigarettes onto the roof in one of the earliest scenes because Jack sees smoking as a “sign of weakness,” and we see how disastrously that decision turns out during the rehearsal dinner for Pam’s younger sister Debbie (Nicole DeHuff) and her fiancé Bob (Thomas McCarthy). The disaster involves a heavily lacquered altar hand-built by Pam’s ex-fiancé Kevin Rawley (Owen Wilson), who, in Jack’s mind, is the man who got away from his favorite daughter.

Greg’s medical qualifications are repeatedly called into question because he willingly works as a nurse despite acing his MCATs and supposedly being able to pursue any career in medicine that he wants. Then Jack’s cat, Mr. Jinx, takes an immediate dislike to Greg, and Jack finds a marijuana pipe in Greg’s coat pocket shortly after an awkward conversation about Peter, Paul and Mary’s hit song “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Jack never once stops to consider that the pipe might belong to Denny (John Abrahams), his own son, who owns the jacket.

These exchanges make Greg look like the worst person imaginable in Jack’s eyes, and they make you cringe because all he really needs to do is stop and explain himself for 10 seconds, something he never properly does at any point in Meet the Parents.

Every Single Setup Pays Off

This might sound like comedy writing 101, but my biggest gripe with lesser films is that they follow a painfully obvious setup-to-punchline formula. Somebody says, “Don’t press the red button,” and then three seconds later, somebody presses it.

Meet the Parents does the exact opposite. It plants little seeds from the very beginning, with the humor coming from how much later something is going to blow wildly out of proportion for Greg. The cheap champagne he buys pops open and shatters Jack’s mother’s urn sitting on the mantel, which is the very same urn Greg joked about earlier because he thought it was one of Jack’s sleek new nanny cams.

The debate over whether a cat can flush a toilet culminates in a septic overflow on the day of the rehearsal dinner, and suddenly it’s Greg against his potential new father-in-law’s special little guy. Every first-act exchange that initially feels like a passing comment comes back in the worst possible way, making it impossible for Greg to save face.

Watching Meet the Parents was a breath of fresh air after forcing myself through Little Fockers because this is the real deal. Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller’s characters are still reading the room and just beginning to figure each other out. By the time we get to the third film, it’s “been there, done that, how do we milk this cat?” Luckily, Meet the Parents, which is currently streaming on Netflix alongside the rest of the franchise, tells you exactly how to milk a cat because, according to Greg, you can milk anything with nipples. Just don’t tell Jack.

General Hospital early weekly spoilers for July 27 – 31, 2026 excite as Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) is panicking when something unethical and illegal that he did comes to light. Also, Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) is racing against time, but maybe just too late.

Also, during the week of July 27th through the 31st, we’ll see Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) nearly drowning, plus Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is like a dog with a bone and lots more. And as we always do on early edition day, we talk about the rest of this week and then we get into what is coming next week.

General Hospital: Jack Shocks Anna

With that in mind, on Wednesday, July 22nd, we’ve got Jack warning Anna. She had Detective Joe Fitzpatrick (Jonathan Bennett) search for the Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) shooting files and they found nothing. They are just missing. So, Anna tells Jack that Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) had the most motive to shoot Cullum on the pier that night and Jack tells Anna it was not Cassius. So, then Anna wants to know why Brennan seems so certain because he definitely does and so she wants to know why that is.

I suspect Jack may tell Anna he knows who it is and that it’s definitely not Cassius that the WSB is doing a whitewash job on Cullum and the shooter is someone innocent who saved Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) and Jason Morgan (Steve Burton). We’ll see if Jack actually drops Rocco Falconeri’s (Finn Carr)name. Also, Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr) surprises Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner).

So, in Portia’s room at General Hospital, Curtis says maybe because it’s the baby’s first night at home, I can stay there, too. Portia doesn’t look thrilled even though she is getting out and gets to take her baby home. So, I’m wondering if she surprises Curtis with a yes or a no. And I also wonder how would Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper) feel if it’s a yes and even that Curtis was asking to stay at Portia’s house.

GH Spoilers: Missing Evidence and Custody Battles

Britt gets some tough love. She just got her job back. Not happy about handling extra duties for the GH softball team. I think Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) is going to be all over Britt during her probation. Also, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) explains his plan. He and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) are discussing the black box and Brennan. And Carly asked Valentin what’s to stop Brennan from killing him the second that he gets the box.

Also, Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) is caught off guard on Wednesday. He’s talking to Jordan and asked if she has any regrets. And I wonder if that’s about turning down Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) offer to get her scars fixed at the same clinic that Michael was treated at. I’m betting he can get Jordan past the waiting list since Michael is a past patient.

Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins Bruening) tells Dante she knows what she has to do. She’s just not sure that she can do it. So, this is obviously about Lulu and about Valentin. And I wonder if Lulu is going to give up and just agree to the 50/50 custody and let Charlotte Cassadine (Bluesy Burke) stay with her dad part-time or if she’ll let her move in at Carly’s. Also, Wednesday, Kai Taylor (Jens Austin Astrup) reconnects with Quinn (Jequan Jackson), a football friend, and he’s there to make amends, but Kai won’t be friends with him unless Quinn also makes amends with Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali), too.

General Hospital: Drew’s Drowning and Jason’s Return

Then on Thursday, July 23rd, Laura Collins (Genie Francis) has some information for Dante, and I’m betting Laura gives Dante the heads up that Anna is searching furiously for those missing Cullum case files. Laura knows they are all protecting Rocco and I’m sure Dante will appreciate the heads up. He is going to face more issues over this missing evidence according to General Hospital spoilers. And I wonder at some point will Dante just tell Anna the truth about Rocco.

Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) compares notes with Michael maybe about Willow Tait (Katelyn MacMullen) and Anna has an offer for Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard). So, GH summer spoilers said that a PCPD shakeup gives him the chance to restore his professional reputation. So, I wonder if Anna wants Chase to find the Cullum shooting evidence that’s missing.

We also have Rocco having a heart-to-heart with Grandpa Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) likely about the shooting. Nina cooks up a wild idea. And with Willow leaving town for a DC trip, Nina is the one there for Scout’s lake swim. So that means Nina’s going to be bringing Drew with her. And I wonder if Nina sees the lake, sees the wheelchair, sees Drew, and thinks, “Hm, accidents happen.”

GH Spoilers: Lucas Makes Amends

Friday, July 24th, Lucas Jones (Van Hansis) tells somebody he’s sorry. Maybe it’s Joe. I expect more scenes with them. Maybe it’ll be Britt if Lucas is teasing her about all the extra work and probation she’s got. Jack delivers bad news to somebody. I bet it’s to Nina because Jack can’t find the black box. Nina’s with Drew out at the Quartermaine lake dock when he stuns Nina by speaking to her and says, “What’s the matter, Nina?” “Bad news.”

So, Drew might have heard her on the call with Jack. I’m betting Drew says more than that and provokes Nina because a General Hospital spoiler says she’s pushed too far and she pushes back. I think that’s literal. And she pushes Drew’s wheelchair off the dock or at least kicks the brake off and just lets it roll right in on its own.

General Hospital Spoilers: Gio to the Rescue

Unfortunately for Nina, there’s another spoiler that says Giovanni Palmieri (Giovanni Mazza) saves a life and some people in Port Charles wish he had not. So, it sounds like Drew does go in the lake and lifeguard Gio dives in to save him, which is a darned shame. Willow, Nina, Jack, Tracy, and others are all going to wish Gio had just let Drew sink to the bottom, but of course, he’d never do that.

Elizabeth is pushing back on Willow. Maybe about the two strokes at her house or Drew winding up in the lake. Dante has a test for Chase and it may tie to these missing case files that Dante got rid of. Danny Morgan (Asher Jared Antonyzyn) and Jason are back from their trip and we’re going to see him showing up at GH. Britt sees Jason and smiles. She’s thrilled, but I don’t think Britt should be because I think Jason is not there for a loved up reunion.

GH Spoilers: Ongoing Crises and New Arrivals

Then the week of July 27th through the 31st, it looks like Valentin approaches Jack with the black box because GH spoiler says that he gets what he needs and it comes from a surprising source. And I suspect that surprise is Valentin. However, Jack’s going to have to pay a high price for it. Then he’s going to contact Nina and tell her about the breakthrough, but it may be too late because of what happened out at the lake.

Rocco’s not out of the woods for shooting Cullum now that Anna is digging into it. But Rocco is going to have help from Dante and Laura and Sonny and also from Jack. Also, Jason is going to press Rocco to put all this behind him. Stella Henry (Vernee Watson) welcomes Marshall Ashford (Robert Gossett) home to Port Charles and he definitely wants to meet his new grandson. Rocco soon gets closer to Scout Cain (Kayden Brenna Tokarski), who’s been aged up as a teenager. Things remain rocky between Rocco, Danny, and Charlotte. We also have Jason pressing Danny to play nice with Drew so that he can keep seeing his sister Scout.

Ava & Ethan Spark on General Hospital

Ethan Lovett (Nathan Dean Parsons) and Ava Jerome (Maura West) heat up, but that won’t last long because he’s got to be going on the run. Also, it looks like Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer), the new doctor, may have some ties in Port Charles he wasn’t expecting.

Jason begins having important conversations with those closest to him. He’s going to tell them about the changes he’s going to make in his life after the whole WSB torture thing. Look for the debut of Troy Appel as businessman Hudson, who’s going to be tied to some villains. I wonder if he might be one of Sidwell’s allies who comes to town to do his dirty work since Jordan is unwilling to help Sidwell.

General Hospital Update: Kirsten Storms Updates Fans

Also, quick update on actress Kirsten Storms. She chopped off her hair and went back to brunette and it is super cute. The actress also talked in a post about the stress of having been put into show business, starting an elementary school and the pressure of that and how she always envied people that were living normal lives.

And she also said she and Brandon Barash will work out their issues over their daughter and ask that people not talk about it online because their daughter’s old enough to Google her name. So, I’m not going to mention her name here respectfully.

Bold and the Beautiful spoilers for July 27 – 31, 2026 stun as with Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) is being absolutely brutal with somebody that she claims to love and also Bill Spencer (Don Diamont) is totally disgusted with what happens with Katie Logan (Heather Tom) and also to Will Spencer (Crew Morrow).

Also, during the week of July 27th through the 31st, we’re going to see Melissa Dylan (Sydney Bullock) making her move, plus Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) getting to work and some of the Foresters pack up and leave for Monaco. And as we always do on early edition day, we’re going to go over what’s happening the rest of this week. Then we’re going to get into the juicy spoilers coming next week.

Bold and the Beautiful: Bill Laughs at Eric’s Expense

So, on Wednesday, July 22nd, Bill is mocking Eric Forrester (John McCook) and the memes being spread of him online, but Katie’s not laughing. She’s devastated at the nasty things that Eric said to her. But Bill reminds Katie that public opinion is on their side, and what Eric did makes himself look unhinged and also makes Forrester Creations look weak and threatened by this new startup, Logan.

Bold and Beautiful: RJ Flips Out

R.J. Forrester (Brayan Nicoletti) is defending his family. I’m sure he’s going to be livid at Will who accidentally punched Eric. The whole thing with him and R.J. was so contrived. Why would Eric be at Bikini Bar with the early 20s set from the office anyway?

And once again, R.J. started things talking big and Will was already annoyed because of how Eric was talking smack about Katie. I also expect Electra Forrester (Laneya Grace) to say some harsh things to Will and make it clear that she’s done with him forever after this. We’ll get to see Electra’s little pouty face in her mind.

This is one more betrayal from Will. And let’s be real, Eric flat out lied to the reporter about Katie, so it’s understandable why Will was so ticked off. But even so, it was also clear he wasn’t aiming for Eric. This was just a messy situation. And again, R.J. started all of it.

B&B Spoilers: Eric’s Injury and Family Warfare

Brooke is back and she and Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) rush into the Forrester mansion as Donna Logan (Jennifer Gareis) tells them, “Thank God you’re here.” She tells Brooke that she’s been going out of her mind and Brooke asks how Eric is. And she says they got R.J.’s text and they rushed right over to the mansion.

So, Ridge wants to know where is Eric and Donna says that Electra said they are still a few minutes away. So, Brooke asks how Eric is doing and says that R.J. didn’t really give them any details. And Ridge chimes in that Will punched Eric and he just went down. Donna says she can’t believe their nephew would do something so cruel and to Eric of all people.

Bold and the Beautiful: Eric Worries Everyone

Ridge wants to know why Donna can’t believe it since that’s who Will is and says he’s out of control. We’re going to get the violent Spencer stuff. Then Electra and R.J. help Eric through the front door and he assures everybody that he is fine. Donna hugs and fusses over Eric, who says, “Don’t worry.” But Donna is worried. And Ridge wants to get Eric to the hospital to get him checked out. But Electra says they already tried. He refused. R.J. said Eric definitely wouldn’t agree to it.

Donna’s honey bear insists that he’s okay. Eric says he’s just a little shaken up. Then he said it’ll take more than a punch from Will to knock him out. That was not a sucker punch. And I just maybe Eric doesn’t engage in a lot of street fighting or bar fighting. So the Forrester and Spencer war is clearly heating up. I’m sure Ridge and everybody are going to be furious that Eric’s being called unhinged when he’s the one who just got hit. But you know, wrong place, wrong time. Don’t get between R.J. and Will. That’s the moral of the story for Eric.

Bold and the Beautiful: Katie’s Reckoning and Dylan’s Opportunity

Then on Thursday, July 23rd, Katie shows up to check on Eric. I’m sure she hears about it from Will, maybe from Deke Sharpe (Harrison Cone) since he was there, too. And of course, Katie’s going to feel bad that Eric got hit. But Katie is also upset. She is really bothered by the nasty and untrue things that Eric said in his interview that really hurt Katie’s feelings.

Brooke stands beside Ridge with Donna and Eric on the sofa, and she’s glaring and facing off with Katie in the Forrester living room. And Brooke tells Katie she’s the one who wanted this war. And then Katie tells Eric she’s terribly sorry. Obviously Katie’s horrified that Will punched Eric even though it wasn’t intentional.

Also, on Thursday we have Jessica back. She’s over with Dylan at Bikini Bar in the wake of this Eric, R.J. and Will incident. I’m sure they’re going to talk about what happened, but I also bet that Dylan is going to defend Will. The Forresters make their opinion on Electra and Will known. All part of the conversation with Katie. So, it looks like they’re going to tell her all sorts of rude things about Will and that he’s banned from being around Electra because he’s dangerous. They’re basically going to add insults to Will on top of Eric’s injury.

Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers: Katie & Eric Hash Things Out

Friday, July 24th, the conversation continues. Katie and Eric are talking about their actions. I would really like to see him own up to Ridge and Brooke what he did. Donna could tell the truth, but I’m sure she’s too scared to because she was there when Eric insisted to Katie that he was going to be her first designer. He didn’t ask. He told. So Eric and Donna and Katie all know that Eric’s lying, but I’m sure nobody will listen to Katie. And Donna is too worried because Eric was already ticked at her after keeping the Hope secret. So, she’s going to let those lies continue.

And after the incident between Eric and Will, and after Katie tries to brokered peace between the families, we’re going to see Brooke coming completely unhinged. And she tells Katie she’s no longer part of the family, and she’s going to be left in complete shock by Brooke’s attitude and words. Will sees that Dylan is the only one who is truly there for him. She told Will he deserves better than how Electra has treated him. So, Will may finally see that he’s got to move on. You know, Dylan hopes Will will move on with her even though Electra will fire her.

B&B Spoilers: Monaco, Family Fallout, and New Collections

Then the week of July 27th through the 31st, we’ll see Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) and Daphne Rose (Murielle Hilaire) facing the future, and they may discuss alternatives for starting a family. Watch for R.J. to use this incident with Eric to relentlessly hammer Electra about Will being no good, horrible, and terrible. Expect more of Electra pouting and R.J. saying that Electra deserves better and R.J. definitely thinks that he’s better. I disagree.

Katie heads back to tell the Spencers what happened at the mansion and how ruthless Brooke was to her and that she cut her out of the family. Hope may wonder if that means she’s also cut out of the family. I’m sure Bill and Will are going to tell Katie that she needs to put all this behind her for now on Bold and the Beautiful.

And Bill may tell Katie and Hope just focus on the next collection. Living well’s the best revenge. That kind of stuff. And of course, Bill knows that the world will see the Foresters’ true colors. And Will’s going to gripe and whine to his parents. But hopefully when he brings up Dylan, we’re going to see Bill saying, “That sounds like the girl for you. Somebody loyal, unlike Electra.”

Bold and the Beautiful: Dylan Gets Closer to Will

Expect more of Dylan and Will getting closer. Also, next week, Hope is hard at work at Logan. She and Dee are going to be starting on the new collection very soon. So, Hope’s in the design office, but she gets a surprising visitor, an unwelcome visitor who interrupts her, but Hope’s not going to back down on what she is doing. So, maybe Brooke, I don’t know if I would call her unwelcome, but if she’s there with an ultimatum, then maybe. Could be Steffy with insults, but we’ll see.

Also, we should get sales numbers on Eric’s couture collection. And Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), Brooke, and Ridge have a business trip to Monaco. And it looks like Steffy brings Finn Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) along, I guess, so she can keep an eye on him and keep him away from Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown). But Finn’s biological mom’s going to follow them to Monaco. Those episodes begin airing on Wednesday, July 29th.

DC Studios has released the official trailer for Clayface, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that this won’t be just another comic book movie. The new footage doubles down on the film’s gruesome body horror, delivering unsettling transformation sequences and psychological tension that make it feel closer to a modern horror classic than a traditional superhero blockbuster.

The trailer follows Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), a Gotham City native whose rise from the streets to Hollywood stardom comes to a devastating end after a violent encounter leaves him horribly disfigured. Desperate to reclaim his life and career, Hagen turns to scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie) for an experimental treatment. Instead of healing him, the procedure begins transforming him into the shape-shifting monster known as Clayface, sending him down a path of revenge as he slowly loses his grip on reality.

One sequence has already become the trailer’s defining moment. During a terrifying scene aboard an airplane, Hagen watches his face begin to melt before frantically using a pair of scissors in a desperate attempt to stop the transformation. Director James Watkins revealed that the sequence was so graphic that even members of the production crew struggled to watch it while filming. Multiple versions of the scissors prop were created to safely capture the disturbing practical effects.

Clayface [credit: DC Studios]

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While previous marketing teased the film’s horror influences, today’s trailer fully embraces them. Grotesque facial distortions, melting flesh, and increasingly violent transformations dominate the footage, reinforcing DC Studios’ promise that Clayface is a genuine R-rated horror film rather than a superhero movie with horror elements. The film draws clear inspiration from body horror classics while telling a tragic story about fame, identity, and obsession.

Interestingly, the trailer still refuses to reveal Clayface’s complete monstrous form. Instead, Warner Bros. continues to tease glimpses of Hagen’s final transformation without giving audiences a full look at the iconic Batman villain, preserving one of the movie’s biggest surprises for its theatrical release.

Joining Harries and Ackie is Max Minghella as Gotham City detective John Pearlman, who becomes entangled in Hagen’s horrifying descent. The film is directed by James Watkins from a screenplay by Hossein Amini, based on a story by Mike Flanagan, with producers including James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Matt Reeves.

If today’s trailer is any indication, Clayface may end up being one of the most unique comic book adaptations ever released. Rather than relying on massive action sequences or world-ending stakes, the film appears focused on delivering an unsettling character-driven horror story that pushes the DC Universe into entirely new territory.