Naomi Ackie’s ‘Clayface’ London Premiere Look Matches the Film’s Horror Mood
Story by Josip Kraljik · 910 readers
Ackie’s sculpted black dress echoed ‘Clayface’s’ grim tone as the London premiere capped a busy run of appearances ahead of its October 23 release.
Naomi Ackie’s London premiere look brought the dark visual world of ‘Clayface’ onto the red carpet. At the European premiere on October 20, the British actress wore a sculpted black leather-look dress with structured shoulders, a corset-style bodice, intricate lace-up details and a fitted skirt ending at the knee. The silhouette had a theatrical edge, while its restrained palette kept attention on the shape and texture.
That connection to the film’s horror mood gave the outfit its strongest point of reference. Ackie posed against a concrete-textured backdrop marked with blood-red lettering, so the setting and her dark, sharply constructed dress read as parts of the same visual statement. The result felt tailored to this particular premiere, rather than like a look that could have belonged to any event on her schedule.
Her appearance in London also extended a striking run of contrasting black outfits. At the October 13 world premiere in Los Angeles, held at the Hollywood Legion Theater, Ackie wore a black Gucci Pre-Fall 2026 one-shoulder gown with a thigh-high slit. Knee-high Gucci boots and diamond and emerald earrings completed the ensemble. Red Carpet Fashion Awards credited the unexpected footwear choice with defining that look.
The two outfits offered different kinds of drama. The Gucci gown paired a formal shape with bold boots; the London dress leaned into sculpted structure and a textured, film-specific mood. Ackie has been moving between cities and projects during a packed month, promoting ‘I Love Boosters’ in London before travelling to Hollywood for ‘Clayface’. Her London appearance brought the film’s promotional stretch back to her hometown.
Naomi Ackie stuns at the London premiere of ‘CLAYFACE’
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 20, 2026
The premiere followed several days of appearances in the capital. On October 19, Ackie joined co-stars Tom Rhys Harries and Max Minghella and director James Watkins for a photocall at Leake Street Arches, which had been given a ‘Clayface’-inspired makeover. The group then attended a special screening at Vue Leicester Square that evening. Together, the events gave the cast a chance to present the film in settings that reflected its grimy, gothic atmosphere.
Naomi Ackie photographed at the ‘CLAYFACE’ premiere in London.
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) October 20, 2026https://t.co/c1JJeSVdyJ
There’s a clear reason the styling has leaned so heavily into shadow and texture: ‘Clayface’ marks DC Studios’ first horror film. James Gunn has described it as a complete horror film, and its central story follows Matt Hagen, played by Harries. Hagen begins as a Gotham street kid who rises to become a Hollywood leading man, but a crime boss leaves him horribly disfigured. He turns to a treatment that restores his appearance, with consequences that distort his sense of reality and set him on a path of revenge.
Ackie plays Dr. Caitlin Bates, described in early material as a fringe scientist in the mould of Elizabeth Holmes, whose work sits at the centre of Hagen’s transformation. Max Minghella plays John, Caitlin’s fiancé, while Eddie Marsan appears as Hagen’s manager. The premise puts Ackie’s character close to the film’s central transformation, giving her role a connection to both its body-horror imagery and its account of ambition and identity.
Naomi Ackie and Tom Rhys Harries attend the ‘CLAYFACE’ premiere in London.
— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) October 20, 2026
James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. The project has reportedly been described as carrying shades and structure of David Cronenberg’s ‘The Fly’, a comparison that points toward bodily change as a source of horror. Producers include James Gunn, Peter Safran, ‘The Batman’ director Matt Reeves and Lynn Harris. Safran has called it an incredible body horror film that reveals a compelling origin for a classic Batman villain.
The final trailer for DC’s ‘CLAYFACE’ has been released.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 24, 2026
In theaters on October 23. https://t.co/ecTMB97Sto
The cast also includes David Dencik, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James. Ackie was reportedly selected after reading sessions in England and quickly became the leading choice for the female lead. Her casting extends a run of roles that have shown her range across genres, from Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Mickey 17’ to the darker material of 2024’s ‘Blink Twice’.
Her recent work also earned her a London Film Critics Circle nomination for British/Irish Performer of the Year, recognizing ‘Sorry, Baby’, ‘Mickey 17’ and ‘The Thursday Murder Club’. ‘Clayface’ opens in cinemas on October 23. The premiere styling has made its horror identity visible; the film now has to carry that atmosphere onto the screen, with Ackie’s performance among the reasons to watch.
