5 Movies To Watch If You Like Clayface

Once audiences exit "Clayface," they're bound to start chattering about what they watched. That may include their favorite moments or performances that stuck with them, while true DC fans may discuss "Clayface" Easter Eggs only they'd notice. Still others, may wonder "what's next?" Specifically, what movies should they watch after "Clayface?" This introduction of both body horror and the world of Gotham City into the DC Universe can leave one hankering for more frightening cinema of all stripes.

Thankfully, there's a wide world of genre cinema out there that can satisfy every stripe of "Clayface" viewer. The five most optimal movies to watch if you like "Clayface" aren't just other DC Comics movie adaptations, but various works reflecting an array of elements intrinsic to the film. Some of these provide further explorations of the body horror space. Matt Hagen's descent into becoming a gooey Gotham baddie doesn't have a monopoly on the body horror scene, after all. Meanwhile, others are further exploits from key creative talent on "Clayface," including director James Watkins and screenwriter Mike Flanagan.

"Clayface" is a springboard to a barrage of other horror motion pictures, as encapsulated by this endlessly disparate collection of movies. Put on a brave face as we dive into these five films that make for perfect follow-up viewing after "Clayface."

Body horror has exploded in mainstream popularity in the 2020s. Perhaps a global pandemic has made people more conscious of how fragile their bodies are. Maybe its just renewed nostalgia for vintage body horror titles from directors like David Cronenberg. It could also be a byproduct of horror exploding into the mainstream and causing a rising tide effect in popularity for all horror subgenres. Whatever the case, the fact that a body horror movie has emerged from DC Studios in the form of "Clayface" should be a glaringly obvious sign that this cinematic terrain has reached heretofore unknown levels of notoriety.

The pinnacle of this modern cinematic trend, though, has to be "Titane," a horror movie that caused people to faint in theaters. Hailing from writer/director Julia Ducournau, this title follows Alexia (Agathe Rousselle), a woman consumed by angst with a penchant for murder and an attraction to cars. Once her body count begins catching up to her, she takes on a new identity as a man's missing teenage son. "Titane" isn't just one of the best horror movies of 2021. It's also an absolutely insane endeavor taking the body horror movie to its most psychosexual extremes. Ducournau simultaneously delivers tender pathos that often makes "Titane" a heartwarming exercise.

This feature goes absolutely everywhere, all while delivering a level of pervasive artistic commitment that must be seen to be believed. "Clayface" got you craving more modern body horror fare? Jump into the deep end and embrace "Titane."

There's a rich legacy of horror movie directors helming superhero features. Sam Raimi going from gnarly grindhouse fare to the original three "Spider-Man" titles established a precedent that James Wan, James Gunn, and David F. Sandberg have been all too happy to carry on. This, however, hasn't necessarily led to a deluge of superhero horror movies. Many of these superhero movies often feature horror elements, but the world of purely horror superhero/comic book movies is a small one. "Clayface" is clearly in that realm, ditto "Spawn" and "The New Mutants." The greatest in this narrow field, though, has to be Guillermo del Toro's "Blade II," which managed to surpass the already entertaining first "Blade."

Blade (Wesley Snipes) returns to fight more supernatural threats in this outing, though this time he reluctantly teams up with various vampires (his typical adversaries) to fight The Reapers, who could bring about the end of both humans and vampires. "Blade II" features some well-orchestrated scares showing how skilled del Toro is at his craft even when helming a mainstream English-language comic book movie. The tense atmosphere is combined with delightfully outlandish action and Wesley Snipes' immediately compelling screen presence.

Thrilling as both a horror title and an action film, "Blade II" is a great time at the movies signifying how much potential there is for straight-up horror comic book movies.

When figuring out what to watch after "Clayface," what better place to go than the director's own filmography? James Watkins kicked off his filmmaking exploits with the 2008 feature "Eden Lake." This distinctly British motion picture follows Jenny (Kelly Reilly) and her boyfriend Steve (Michael Fassbender) going to an isolated lake only to get harassed by a group of rowdy teenagers led by Brett (Jack O'Connell). As tensions grow increasingly frayed between these groups, Brett and his cohorts begin exacting violence on Jenny and Steve, who are now fighting for their lives. 

"Eden Lake" wasn't just prophetic in being the first horror movie (preceding "Sinners" and "28 Years Later") to depict Jack O'Connell as the leader of a bloodthirsty cult. It also foreshadowed concepts Watkins would later explore in "Clayface" related to what barbaric acts seemingly buttoned-up people are capable of. Handsome Matt Hagen and the boisterous but not initially violent teens of "Eden Lake" prove far more capable of bloodlust than one might've imagined. Both projects are also capped off with bleak endings meant to send audiences home feeling haunted, with no sense of catharsis or a sequel set-up.

"Eden Lake" also stands on its own two feet in James Watkins' film canon, including being an early sign of both Reilly and Fassbender's acting chops. This endlessly grim endeavor isn't for everyone, but many "Clayface" fans may find this other Watkins filmmaking effort a perfect companion piece.

James Gunn's DC Universe embraced horror with "Clayface" thanks to an idea originating from Mike Flanagan. This horror veteran was the one who pitched a solo Clayface feature to DC Studios and penned the first "Clayface" draft. Though he wasn't involved in the final product (his script was rewritten and James Watkins took over as director), Flanagan's spirit still looms large. For viewers seeking other movies to watch after "Clayface," other productions hailing from Flanagan would be a wise place to start. Among these is another Warner Bros. Pictures horror movie involving Flanagan, the underrated 2019 title "Doctor Sleep."

This sequel to "The Shining" and adaptation of the 2013 Stephen King novel of the same name follows a now grown-up Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) grappling with both his alcoholism and supernatural gifts. He's suddenly forced to confront the supernatural world once more to help a girl, Abra (Kyliegh Curran), who also has his "shining" gift. This exercise has scares a-plenty, but its also a contemplative yarn about navigating the past while carving out a future. Flanagan's commitment to a quieter atmosphere shows commendable levels of craftsmanship on his part.

McGregor, meanwhile, delivers one of his best performances as Danny Torrance, while Rebecca Ferguson makes for a chilling baddie as Rose the Hat. If "Clayface" made you crave more Flanagan horror cinema, then "Doctor Sleep" will be just what the doctor ordered.

"The Bad Sleep Well." "Sinners." The Night of the Hunter." These are some of the best titles in cinema history. Yet even those features and their thoughtful monikers quiver at the majesty of the immediately evocative "Frankenhooker." Even in a landscape crowded with "Frankenstein" pastiches, the name "Frankenhooker" instantly captures the eye and never lets it go. "Frankenhooker" and its obsession with body parts and grisly demises makes it a perfect companion piece to "Clayface." The fact that, years before running DC Studios, James Gunn included a reference to "Frankenhooker" director Frank Henelotter in "Slither" only heightens the connections between these two features.

In this wacky New Jersey saga, Jeffrey Franken (James Lorinz) is distraught after his fiancée, Elizabeth (Patty Mullen), perishes in a freak accident. Afterwards, he brings her back to life using the body parts of various New York sex workers and the power of "super-crack." Thus, Elizabeth eventually becomes Frankenhooker, a creature who runs around New York wielding distorted facial expressions and an ability to kill any man who crosses her path. "Frankenhooker" is an unhinged delight full of vengeful slimy organs, flying plastic heads, and Patty Mullen's phenomenal conviction to such a bizarro character.

If Gotham City thought Matt Hagen/Clayface was a lot to deal with, just imagine navigating a city where Frankenhooker is a common sight. This feature lives up to its iconic title, providing viewers with nightmare-inducing cinematic delights.