DC’s ‘Clayface’ Revives the Flaming Lips’ ‘Do You Realize??’ With a Haunting Teaser

Published 07/22/2026, 10:26 AM PDT

March 25, 2026, London, United Kingdom: Tom Rhys Harries attending the HBO Max UK and Ireland Launch Party at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Waterloo, London London United Kingdom - ZUMAs197 20260325_aaa_s197_754 Copyright: xCatxMorleyx

DC Studios has officially unveiled the trailer for Clayface, a horror thriller directed by James Watkins starring Tom Rhys Harries in the title role. The film reimagines the classic Gotham villain through a dark lens, leaving fans shocked by its disturbing tone. Much of the surrounding online excitement centres entirely on an unexpected song choice, 'Do You Realize??,' that accompanies these terrifying visual reveals.

Analysing the trailer requires examining how this classic track interacts with the tragic physical collapse of the protagonist.

The musical contrast and tragic transformation in Clayface

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DC Studios' Clayface trailer utilizes a slowed-down, haunting remix of The Flaming Lips' iconic 2002 track ‘Do You Realize??’ to score its unsettling teaser trailer. This fresh cinematic direction suggests that DC Studios is fully embracing body horror for its Gotham villain. The opening lyric about having a beautiful face offers a heartbreaking commentary on Hagen's obsession with preserving his youthful fame.

"Do you realize that you have the most beautiful face?" are the particular lyrics used to spotlight the tragic transformation of the main character. Playing this dreamy music over scenes of physical dissolution creates an unsettling contrast that amplifies the tragedy of his physical decay of the clay face. Director James Watkins presents Matt Hagen as a former Hollywood actor whose physical appearance is destroyed following a violent attack by the crime boss.

Entertainment Bilder des Tages Wayne Coyne von der Band The Flaming Lips bei einem Konzert im Tempodrom in Berlin, 5. Juni 2025. The Flaming Lips Konzert Berlin *** Wayne Coyne from the band The Flaming Lips at a concert at the Tempodrom in Berlin, June 5, 2025 The Flaming Lips concert Berlin

Desperate to restore his career, Hagen participates in an experimental medical procedure that initially seems successful. However, the treatment turns him into Clayface. By pairing a song about accepting mortality with a protagonist who resists aging, the trailer highlights Hagen's total downfall. His transformation into a monster becomes a devastating personal failure to accept his fate, directly contradicting the song's message as shown in the trailer.

Who is Clayface? Powers, Abilities, Origins and Everything to Know About DC's Body Horror Protagonist

Behind this tragic psychological downfall stands a talented creative team bringing Gotham city horror to the silver screen.

Creative inspiration of the upcoming body horror thriller, Clayface

According to DC Prime TV, screenwriters Hossein Amini and Mike Flanagan drew heavy inspiration from the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode titled Feat of Clay. Their screenplay transforms that classic animated origin into a grounded, visceral horror narrative focused entirely on human tragedy. Expected to premiere in theatres on October 23, 2026.

Alongside Tom Rhys Harries portraying Matt Hagen, the production features an impressive ensemble cast including Eddie Marsan, Naomi Ackie, and Max Minghella. Actors like David Dencik, Tanya Moodie, and Joshua James also appear throughout the narrative. This talented cast grounds the dramatic tension, ensuring that every step of Hagen's horrifying transformation feels emotionally authentic to viewers.

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June 13, 2023, New York, United States: Mike Flanagan attends Alan Wake 2: Building a World Of Fear game panel during the 2023 Tribeca Festival at SVA Theatre in New York City. New York United States - ZUMAs197 20230613_zaa_s197_158 Copyright: xRonxAdarx

By combining showbiz drama, scientific ambition, and monster horror, the film establishes a unique identity within modern comic book adaptations. The trailer for Clayface uses a haunting musical contrast to highlight how Matt Hagen's tragic struggle against physical decay ultimately leads to his monster origin. The feature promises an unsettling theatrical experience for horror enthusiasts globally.

‘Clayface’ Lands October 2026 Release Date in Latest DC Studios Schedule Update

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What do you think about watching Clayface's trailer and experiencing the music which gives goosebumps? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

1596 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Adiba Nizami

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