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The pro-Israel lobbying group and influential political donor announced it would no longer endorse candidates or give directly to campaigns, instead mobilizing its members to give individually.

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)

The department has long deployed election monitors, but the Trump administration's unprecedented steps to try to wrestle control over elections have led to new concerns about DOJ monitoring this year.

(Image credit: Michael Ciaglo)

• The US Army wants laser weapons transferable between ordinary military vehicles
• LOCUST X3 could destroy drones for $5 to $10 per engagement
• Detachable laser mounts could prevent vehicle repairs from disabling weapons

The US Army wants modular lasers that mount on ordinary trucks, and AeroVironment won the initial manufacturing award for its 30-kilowatt LOCUST X3 in September 2026.

The weapon is designed to destroy Group 1 to 3 drones, which cover aircraft from roughly 9 kg (20 pounds) to 600 kg (1,320 pounds).

AeroVironment puts each engagement below $10, while a March 2026 trade report cited $5 per shot, a figure the company has not itemized.

Sled design frees lasers from single vehicles

In 2022, the Army reactivated an air defense battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for laser-armed Stryker vehicles, yet reliability problems shifted its focus.

“We’re getting to the point where the systems are reliable enough, but we still have to make them maintainable and repairable because this is an Army system,” said Kirk Williams, Chief Engineer at the Army’s Directed Energy Project Office.

“It’s going to be on a battlefield. Things are going to break. We can break things in very creative ways, right? So if it’s not reliable, or if it’s not maintainable, if it’s not repairable, that’s a problem.”

Under the plan, the laser sits on a detachable frame that moves between platforms, so a truck needing maintenance no longer sidelines the weapon.

“We’re focused on any vehicle in the motorpool. I want to try to integrate future capability of high-energy lasers into it,” said Brig. Gen. Guy Yelverton, the Army’s Capability Program Executive for Defensive Fires.

AeroVironment lists output between 20 and 35 kilowatts depending on mission, with an in-house AI system called Halo Pinpoint handling detection, tracking and engagement.

Range, power, and delivery timeline limit the promise

A single laser engages one drone at a time, and its beam weakens over distance, while smoke, dust and weather reduce effectiveness further.

Battery power gives roughly 80 to 120 seconds of firing depending on the system, according to Yelverton, and the magazine refills once the beam stops.

At 30 kilowatts, the X3 ranks among the weaker laser weapons, and every LOCUST version so far counters only small drones.

The service expects first X3 units in operation by early 2028, while a separate containerized laser aims for 150 kilowatts.

Scott Keeney, chief executive of nLIGHT, a laser developer working with AeroVironment, expects scaling to one megawatt, a level the Navy has also discussed.

The Army contract is worth $464.8 million, and AeroVironment separately reported its initial international order, valued above $50 million, on September 8th.

The company is spending over $30 million to expand its Albuquerque campus, which should add 450 jobs and an estimated $670 million economic impact.

The Army attributes several successful engagements to LOCUST, including a drone interception dated August 25, 2026, near the southern border.

However, without released engagement data, independent verification of the military’s claims remains limited.

Via TWZ

WiiM Bar review

In recent years, WiiM has emerged as a serious multi-room rival to Sonos, and now it’s looking to try its hand in the world of Dolby Atmos soundbars. Yes, the WiiM Bar is the company’s first ever soundbar, and is bringing virtual Atmos, a unique screen-equipped design, and a big array of connectivity options to the table.

Just how good is the WiiM Bar, then? Can it truly compete with soundbars from the likes of Sonos? Here’s my view after hours of testing it.

If you want to compete with the best soundbars around, you better sound good — and luckily the WiiM Bar is a very solid performer. It’s a standalone 3.0.2 model, so it doesn’t come with a sub or surround speakers, and skips on up-firing drivers for ‘true’ Atmos, but given these restrictions, it’s actually a very capable model indeed.

(Image credit: Future)

When watching Godzilla Minus One, the sound of a plane flying overhead was genuinely convincing, with the vertical movement tracked precisely for a model using virtual Dolby Atmos. As the plane came into land, its descent was mapped brilliantly, sounding as if the audio was coming from beneath me. During a separate scene, I was also really impressed with the soundbar’s handling of dialogue — it was clean and well separated from the action, even when Godzilla appeared and some heavy bass entered into the mix.

I had a similar experience with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features an excellent Dolby Atmos mix. Dialogue between the Toads in Peach’s Castle was phenomenally clear, and sounds like hammers being thrown and Yoshi’s tongue flinging across the screen were tracked beautifully, resulting in a truly expansive viewing experience.

If I was to be a bit critical, though, I’d say that the WiiM Bar doesn’t produce the most dynamic sound I’ve heard at this price-point. Sudden noises, like Godzilla’s almighty roar or the Castle being destroyed in each respective film sometimes lacked the sheer impact and bite I was looking for. The lowest frequencies can feel, at times, a touch subdued, so adding a sub to the WiiM bar is sure to make a world of difference, though this will come at quite the cost.

This isn’t to say that bass performance is poor, though. In Nosferatu, the eerie score came through with decent power, and the deep, spine-chilling sound of Count Orlok’s voice was replicated effortlessly. And once more, the WiiM Bar provided stunning width, with the disgusting sound of rats eating flesh sounding as if it was emanating from the corner of our testing room. It feels weird to describe that positively, but there you go.

In terms of musicality, the WiiM Bar is good, rather than great — which is pretty standard for a soundbar of this kind. When listening to First Night by Vitess, the low-end wasn’t the most regimented, meaning that pumping bass wasn’t as rhythmic as it could’ve been. However, darker frequencies still hit with decent weight and synths in the mid-range had really good presence and definition. Atmos mixes were also presented with plenty of width and depth, so you can expect solid, albeit imperfect music performance here.

Something else that impressed me with the WiiM Bar was its sheer loudness. A 135W maximum power output may not seem that high, but this thing can climb to seriously impressive volumes, which is ideal for filling a larger space with cinematic sound. On the other end of the spectrum, you can activate Night mode for a more low-key, softer listening experience, and this works really well.

(Image credit: Future)

On top of this, there’s a Voice mode, which is perfect for podcasts or bringing dialogue forward in TV shows and movies; Movie mode for the most cinematic audio possible; and a Music setting to use while blasting your favorite tunes. These can be selected with the included remote or through the WiiM app, which is overflowing with features.

Yes, I was seriously impressed by the WiiM app — it’s easy to use, well laid out, and incredibly feature-rich. Here, you can customize the soundbar’s display, edit EQ for each individual source (with both traditional and parametric options available), change voice assistant and streaming settings, and so much more. Arguably my favorite feature, though, was RoomFit. This provides a customized parametric profile to provide optimized sound for your space, with individualized EQ calibrations for the left, center, and right channels. I’ve never seen such a detailed calibration tool in my time testing Dolby Atmos soundbars, so this seriously impressed me.

Something else that the WiiM Bar excels in is versatility. It has a very solid range of connectivity options, including HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, digital optical, USB, and even RCA for devices such as turntables. In addition, it supports both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, which is great to see given that the latter isn’t found on models from the likes of Sonos. Combine that with the ability to pair compatible WiiM subs and surround speakers, and you’ve got a great entertainment hub.

One option that would’ve made the WiiM Bar even better, though, would be HDMI passthrough. This model only has a single HDMI eARC port to connect the bar to your TV, so you can’t connect a games console or streaming device up to this as well. Hooking up a soundbar already takes one precious HDMI port up, and if, like me, you have a lot of consoles at home, this could prove to be pesky. This is very common for a soundbar in this price and size-range, but it would’ve made a great addition all the same.

Another thing that’s missing is AirPlay 2 support, which may irk some iOS users. There is Google Cast, though, and Bluetooth is on hand for streaming media from iPhones, even if it won’t be as seamless or high-res as a Wi-Fi connection.

Right, it's time to talk about one of the most unique things about the WiiM Bar — its design. And, well, I’m pretty conflicted about this. The display functions well; it can show a clock with a customizable background, has some neat control options for different sound modes and such things, and can even display the album you’re listening to when streaming music. It's responsive and decently bright, so I do think it works overall.

The problem for me, though, is that it gives the soundbar a slightly awkward look. Even if you turn the display off, the raised center isn’t exactly svelte. Also, the plain black bar is just OK looking, but doesn’t exactly have that premium feel that Sonos soundbars exude. This is just my personal take, of course, and some may like the overall aesthetic and rounded center of the WiiM Bar — I just don’t think it's the most attractive.

One aspect of the WiiM Bar’s design that I like, though, is its remote. This feels really well made, has individual buttons for each sound mode, and even a built-in mic for voice controls. Of course, you can use the app to control the soundbar instead, but for a bundled remote, the quality is great.

Here’s the big question, then: is the WiiM Bar worth the money? For the most part, yes. At $479 / £449 / AU$769, it's in the mid-range category, and you get plenty of quality in return for that spend. Great virtual Atmos, clear overall sound and dialogue, neat connectivity options, the option to expand it into a surround system… nthe list goes on. It’s not perfect, though and models like the pricier Sonos Beam Ultra surpass it in terms of sound and design. What’s more, an on-sale Samsung HW-Q800F will give you better bass, and has dedicated up-firing drivers for ‘true’ Atmos.

But if you’re already invested in the WiiM ecosystem or want a solid single-box solution, I think you’ll be pleased with the WiiM Bar when all’s said and done.

(Image credit: Future)WiiM Bar review: price & release date

• List price $479 / £449 / AU$769
• Released in October 2026

The Wiim Bar was released in October 2026, and is the very first soundbar that the multi-room specialist and Sonos rival has put out. It comes in at $479 / £449 / AU$769, placing it at a very similar price-point to the compact Sonos Beam Gen 2.

WiiM Bar review: specs

Dimensions

41.7 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches / 1060 x 105 x 80mm

Speaker channels

3.0.2

Connections

HDMI eARC, digital optical, RCA, USB, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Sub included

No

Rear speakers included

No

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the WiiM Bar?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Atmos and DTS:X, excellent app, good connectivity options but no HDMI passthrough or AirPlay 2.

4.5/5

Performance

Powerful, expansive audio with clean dialogue, not the most dynamic and bass not the most impactful.

4/5

Design

A little awkward looking, but the display works well, good quality remote.

3.5/5

Setup & usability

Easy to setup and use with a TV and external devices.

4.5/5

Value

A good price for the overall quality.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want impressive Atmos in a single, compact soundbar
Sure, the WiiM Bar lacks upfiring drivers for ‘true’ Dolby Atmos, but I was still really impressed with the verticality and width of its sound. Whether you’re watching Atmos movies or listening to an Atmos mix of your favorite track, the soundbar will whip up a delightfully expansive impression every time.

You want a soundbar you can build out over time
Something that makes the WiiM Bar so great is its versatility. It will serve you well as a single-bar option, but it can also be built out over time, as it enables you to add a compatible sub and surround speakers if you so choose.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re looking for the most dynamic bass output possible
The WiiM Bar plates up solid low-end power for a single-box soundbar, but it’s not the most dynamic or impactful I’ve experienced, and adding a separate sub can be costly. As a result, I’d recommend grabbing a model like the Samsung HW-Q800F, which comes with a subwoofer, serves up mesmerizing bass, and can often be found for a similar price to the WiiM Bar now that its successor has launched.

You want HDMI passthrough
A soundbar already takes away a coveted HDMI slot on your TV, so it’s always nice to get a passthrough slot to connect a games console or streaming device up to. But like a lot of its mid-range counterparts, the WiiM Bar skips on this.

WiiM Bar review: also consider

WiiM Bar

Sonos Beam Gen 2

Samsung HW-Q800F

Price

$479 / £449 / AU$769

$449 / £449 / $699

$1,099 / £799 / AU$1,099

Dimensions

41.7 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches / 1060 x 105 x 80mm

25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches / 651 x 68 x 100mm

Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 9.9 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249mm

Speaker channels

3.0.2

5.0

5.1.2

Connections

HDMI eARC, digital optical, RCA, USB, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet

HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi

1x HDMI input, 1x HDMI eARC, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Yes / No

Yes / Yes

Sub included

No

No

Yes

Rear speakers included

No

No

No

Sonos Beam Gen 2
Given their incredibly similar price-points and Wi-Fi capabilities, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and WiiM Bar feel like very natural rivals. The Beam Gen 2 is an excellent compact soundbar that produces impeccable bass output and relatively expansive Atmos for its size. It lacks the broad connectivity options of the WiiM Bar and skips on DTS:X, but it’s even smaller, and can similarly be expanded if you have a compatible sub and surround speakers. Read our full Sonos Beam Gen 2 review.

Samsung HW-Q800F
Yes, on the face of it this soundbar seems too expensive to be a WiiM Bar rival, but I’m often seeing it on sale for a heavily discounted price now — as low as $540 in the US and £499 in the UK. This model comes with a dedicated sub for gigantic bass output, has up-firing speakers for ‘true’ Atmos, and supports HDMI passthrough. As a result, it’s very hard to beat. Read my full Samsung HW-Q800F review.

How I tested the WiiM Bar

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested in our TV testing space at Future Labs
• Mainly used 4K Blu-ray for movies and Tidal for music
• One of more than 30 soundbars I’ve tested

I spent many an hour testing out the WiiM Bar, using it both watching movies and listening to music. I assessed its qualities at our TV testing space at Future Labs, where I made use of all of the soundbar’s features and compared it directly against rivals.

For the most part, I used the HDMI eARC connectivity method to hook the WiiM Bar up to the LG G6 OLED TV, and played 4K Blu-ray discs with the Panasonic DP-UB820 to judge its handling of Dolby Atmos movies. However, I did also test the soundbar out with Netflix movies, and used Tidal Connect to stream music over Wi-Fi.

More generally, I’ve tested more than 30 soundbars during my time here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from budget-friendly bars like the Sony HT-SF150 through to huge surround sound systems such as the JBL Bar 1300MK2, and I made sure to compare the WiiM Bar to multi-room rivals, including the Sonos Beam Ultra.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: October 2026

WiiM Bar review

In recent years, WiiM has emerged as a serious multi-room rival to Sonos, and now it’s looking to try its hand in the world of Dolby Atmos soundbars. Yes, the WiiM Bar is the company’s first ever soundbar, and is bringing virtual Atmos, a unique screen-equipped design, and a big array of connectivity options to the table.

Just how good is the WiiM Bar, then? Can it truly compete with soundbars from the likes of Sonos? Here’s my view after hours of testing it.

If you want to compete with the best soundbars around, you better sound good — and luckily the WiiM Bar is a very solid performer. It’s a standalone 3.0.2 model, so it doesn’t come with a sub or surround speakers, and skips on up-firing drivers for ‘true’ Atmos, but given these restrictions, it’s actually a very capable model indeed.

(Image credit: Future)

When watching Godzilla Minus One, the sound of a plane flying overhead was genuinely convincing, with the vertical movement tracked precisely for a model using virtual Dolby Atmos. As the plane came into land, its descent was mapped brilliantly, sounding as if the audio was coming from beneath me. During a separate scene, I was also really impressed with the soundbar’s handling of dialogue — it was clean and well separated from the action, even when Godzilla appeared and some heavy bass entered into the mix.

I had a similar experience with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features an excellent Dolby Atmos mix. Dialogue between the Toads in Peach’s Castle was phenomenally clear, and sounds like hammers being thrown and Yoshi’s tongue flinging across the screen were tracked beautifully, resulting in a truly expansive viewing experience.

If I was to be a bit critical, though, I’d say that the WiiM Bar doesn’t produce the most dynamic sound I’ve heard at this price-point. Sudden noises, like Godzilla’s almighty roar or the Castle being destroyed in each respective film sometimes lacked the sheer impact and bite I was looking for. The lowest frequencies can feel, at times, a touch subdued, so adding a sub to the WiiM bar is sure to make a world of difference, though this will come at quite the cost.

This isn’t to say that bass performance is poor, though. In Nosferatu, the eerie score came through with decent power, and the deep, spine-chilling sound of Count Orlok’s voice was replicated effortlessly. And once more, the WiiM Bar provided stunning width, with the disgusting sound of rats eating flesh sounding as if it was emanating from the corner of our testing room. It feels weird to describe that positively, but there you go.

In terms of musicality, the WiiM Bar is good, rather than great — which is pretty standard for a soundbar of this kind. When listening to First Night by Vitess, the low-end wasn’t the most regimented, meaning that pumping bass wasn’t as rhythmic as it could’ve been. However, darker frequencies still hit with decent weight and synths in the mid-range had really good presence and definition. Atmos mixes were also presented with plenty of width and depth, so you can expect solid, albeit imperfect music performance here.

Something else that impressed me with the WiiM Bar was its sheer loudness. A 135W maximum power output may not seem that high, but this thing can climb to seriously impressive volumes, which is ideal for filling a larger space with cinematic sound. On the other end of the spectrum, you can activate Night mode for a more low-key, softer listening experience, and this works really well.

(Image credit: Future)

On top of this, there’s a Voice mode, which is perfect for podcasts or bringing dialogue forward in TV shows and movies; Movie mode for the most cinematic audio possible; and a Music setting to use while blasting your favorite tunes. These can be selected with the included remote or through the WiiM app, which is overflowing with features.

Yes, I was seriously impressed by the WiiM app — it’s easy to use, well laid out, and incredibly feature-rich. Here, you can customize the soundbar’s display, edit EQ for each individual source (with both traditional and parametric options available), change voice assistant and streaming settings, and so much more. Arguably my favorite feature, though, was RoomFit. This provides a customized parametric profile to provide optimized sound for your space, with individualized EQ calibrations for the left, center, and right channels. I’ve never seen such a detailed calibration tool in my time testing Dolby Atmos soundbars, so this seriously impressed me.

Something else that the WiiM Bar excels in is versatility. It has a very solid range of connectivity options, including HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, digital optical, USB, and even RCA for devices such as turntables. In addition, it supports both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, which is great to see given that the latter isn’t found on models from the likes of Sonos. Combine that with the ability to pair compatible WiiM subs and surround speakers, and you’ve got a great entertainment hub.

One option that would’ve made the WiiM Bar even better, though, would be HDMI passthrough. This model only has a single HDMI eARC port to connect the bar to your TV, so you can’t connect a games console or streaming device up to this as well. Hooking up a soundbar already takes one precious HDMI port up, and if, like me, you have a lot of consoles at home, this could prove to be pesky. This is very common for a soundbar in this price and size-range, but it would’ve made a great addition all the same.

Another thing that’s missing is AirPlay 2 support, which may irk some iOS users. There is Google Cast, though, and Bluetooth is on hand for streaming media from iPhones, even if it won’t be as seamless or high-res as a Wi-Fi connection.

Right, it's time to talk about one of the most unique things about the WiiM Bar — its design. And, well, I’m pretty conflicted about this. The display functions well; it can show a clock with a customizable background, has some neat control options for different sound modes and such things, and can even display the album you’re listening to when streaming music. It's responsive and decently bright, so I do think it works overall.

The problem for me, though, is that it gives the soundbar a slightly awkward look. Even if you turn the display off, the raised center isn’t exactly svelte. Also, the plain black bar is just OK looking, but doesn’t exactly have that premium feel that Sonos soundbars exude. This is just my personal take, of course, and some may like the overall aesthetic and rounded center of the WiiM Bar — I just don’t think it's the most attractive.

One aspect of the WiiM Bar’s design that I like, though, is its remote. This feels really well made, has individual buttons for each sound mode, and even a built-in mic for voice controls. Of course, you can use the app to control the soundbar instead, but for a bundled remote, the quality is great.

Here’s the big question, then: is the WiiM Bar worth the money? For the most part, yes. At $479 / £449 / AU$769, it's in the mid-range category, and you get plenty of quality in return for that spend. Great virtual Atmos, clear overall sound and dialogue, neat connectivity options, the option to expand it into a surround system… nthe list goes on. It’s not perfect, though and models like the pricier Sonos Beam Ultra surpass it in terms of sound and design. What’s more, an on-sale Samsung HW-Q800F will give you better bass, and has dedicated up-firing drivers for ‘true’ Atmos.

But if you’re already invested in the WiiM ecosystem or want a solid single-box solution, I think you’ll be pleased with the WiiM Bar when all’s said and done.

(Image credit: Future)WiiM Bar review: price & release date

• List price $479 / £449 / AU$769
• Released in October 2026

The Wiim Bar was released in October 2026, and is the very first soundbar that the multi-room specialist and Sonos rival has put out. It comes in at $479 / £449 / AU$769, placing it at a very similar price-point to the compact Sonos Beam Gen 2.

WiiM Bar review: specs

Dimensions

41.7 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches / 1060 x 105 x 80mm

Speaker channels

3.0.2

Connections

HDMI eARC, digital optical, RCA, USB, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Sub included

No

Rear speakers included

No

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the WiiM Bar?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Atmos and DTS:X, excellent app, good connectivity options but no HDMI passthrough or AirPlay 2.

4.5/5

Performance

Powerful, expansive audio with clean dialogue, not the most dynamic and bass not the most impactful.

4/5

Design

A little awkward looking, but the display works well, good quality remote.

3.5/5

Setup & usability

Easy to setup and use with a TV and external devices.

4.5/5

Value

A good price for the overall quality.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want impressive Atmos in a single, compact soundbar
Sure, the WiiM Bar lacks upfiring drivers for ‘true’ Dolby Atmos, but I was still really impressed with the verticality and width of its sound. Whether you’re watching Atmos movies or listening to an Atmos mix of your favorite track, the soundbar will whip up a delightfully expansive impression every time.

You want a soundbar you can build out over time
Something that makes the WiiM Bar so great is its versatility. It will serve you well as a single-bar option, but it can also be built out over time, as it enables you to add a compatible sub and surround speakers if you so choose.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re looking for the most dynamic bass output possible
The WiiM Bar plates up solid low-end power for a single-box soundbar, but it’s not the most dynamic or impactful I’ve experienced, and adding a separate sub can be costly. As a result, I’d recommend grabbing a model like the Samsung HW-Q800F, which comes with a subwoofer, serves up mesmerizing bass, and can often be found for a similar price to the WiiM Bar now that its successor has launched.

You want HDMI passthrough
A soundbar already takes away a coveted HDMI slot on your TV, so it’s always nice to get a passthrough slot to connect a games console or streaming device up to. But like a lot of its mid-range counterparts, the WiiM Bar skips on this.

WiiM Bar review: also consider

WiiM Bar

Sonos Beam Gen 2

Samsung HW-Q800F

Price

$479 / £449 / AU$769

$449 / £449 / $699

$1,099 / £799 / AU$1,099

Dimensions

41.7 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches / 1060 x 105 x 80mm

25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches / 651 x 68 x 100mm

Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 9.9 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249mm

Speaker channels

3.0.2

5.0

5.1.2

Connections

HDMI eARC, digital optical, RCA, USB, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet

HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi

1x HDMI input, 1x HDMI eARC, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Yes / No

Yes / Yes

Sub included

No

No

Yes

Rear speakers included

No

No

No

Sonos Beam Gen 2
Given their incredibly similar price-points and Wi-Fi capabilities, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and WiiM Bar feel like very natural rivals. The Beam Gen 2 is an excellent compact soundbar that produces impeccable bass output and relatively expansive Atmos for its size. It lacks the broad connectivity options of the WiiM Bar and skips on DTS:X, but it’s even smaller, and can similarly be expanded if you have a compatible sub and surround speakers. Read our full Sonos Beam Gen 2 review.

Samsung HW-Q800F
Yes, on the face of it this soundbar seems too expensive to be a WiiM Bar rival, but I’m often seeing it on sale for a heavily discounted price now — as low as $540 in the US and £499 in the UK. This model comes with a dedicated sub for gigantic bass output, has up-firing speakers for ‘true’ Atmos, and supports HDMI passthrough. As a result, it’s very hard to beat. Read my full Samsung HW-Q800F review.

How I tested the WiiM Bar

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested in our TV testing space at Future Labs
• Mainly used 4K Blu-ray for movies and Tidal for music
• One of more than 30 soundbars I’ve tested

I spent many an hour testing out the WiiM Bar, using it both watching movies and listening to music. I assessed its qualities at our TV testing space at Future Labs, where I made use of all of the soundbar’s features and compared it directly against rivals.

For the most part, I used the HDMI eARC connectivity method to hook the WiiM Bar up to the LG G6 OLED TV, and played 4K Blu-ray discs with the Panasonic DP-UB820 to judge its handling of Dolby Atmos movies. However, I did also test the soundbar out with Netflix movies, and used Tidal Connect to stream music over Wi-Fi.

More generally, I’ve tested more than 30 soundbars during my time here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from budget-friendly bars like the Sony HT-SF150 through to huge surround sound systems such as the JBL Bar 1300MK2, and I made sure to compare the WiiM Bar to multi-room rivals, including the Sonos Beam Ultra.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: October 2026

You’ll need to opt into Chrome’s Enhanced Protection mode to use the new features.

As delivery robots roll through cities like Chicago, they’re fueling fears about unregulated surveillance in public spaces.

• Lenovo's Snapdragon-based IdeaPad Vibe 14Q8X12 is on sale a month before its promised date
• US pricing starts at $799.99 for 8GB and 256GB, $100 above both Lenovo's IFA promise and the base MacBook Neo
• It beats the Neo on ports, keyboard backlighting, colors, and RAM ceiling, but its memory is soldered, and its 400-nit, 45% NTSC screen trails Apple's device

Lenovo's IdeaPad Vibe 14Q8X12, the Snapdragon-powered version of the colorful laptop it pitched at IFA 2026 as an answer to Apple's MacBook Neo, is now on sale through Lenovo's own web stores in the US, UK, Canada, the Eurozone, Malaysia and Singapore.

That puts it just barely a month ahead of the November 2026 window Lenovo gave in Berlin in September, as Notebookcheck reports, with pre-orders due to start shipping on October 28.

The early arrival is the good news, but its price tag is the catch. Lenovo announced the Vibe range at $699.99, matching the MacBook Neo to the dollar. In the US, the Snapdragon model actually starts at $799.99 on Lenovo's product page, with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.

A month early, a hundred dollars late?

The timing of Lenovo's original price matters. Apple launched the MacBook Neo at $599 in March, then raised it to $699 on June 25 as the AI-driven memory shortage pushed up component costs. Apple said it had "never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly." Lenovo's $699.99 arrived in September as a deliberate match for the post-hike Neo.

At $799.99, the Vibe now costs about $100 more than the base Neo, and the same as Apple's 512GB model with Touch ID, which doubles the storage Lenovo gives US buyers. Lenovo has not directly addressed the increase. TechRadar saw this coming when the Vibe leaked in August, betting that even after Apple's price rise, "the Lenovo machine's going to be a fair bit more expensive." In the US, at least, our assessment has come full circle.

The math is kinder elsewhere, often helped along by Apple's pricing: Lenovo sells the laptop for £780 in the UK, and outside North America it ships with 512GB of storage by default. That is £81 more than the base Neo's post-hike £699, but with twice the storage. Canadian buyers pay CAD 1,099, Eurozone pricing runs from €849 to €999 depending on the country, and Malaysia and Singapore are priced at MYR 4,939 and SGD 1,379, respectively. Some Eurozone markets are limited to 8GB of RAM, and a few UK configurations currently quote four to five weeks for delivery.

For perspective, the AMD-powered 14-inch Vibe, which arrived on schedule this month, starts at $899 in the US with a Ryzen AI 7 445, the same 8GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. The Snapdragon model is the cheapest route into a 14-inch Vibe in the US; it's just not as cheap as was originally promised.

Upgradeability was a big part of Lenovo's pitch, and the AMD Vibe models deliver it with two SO-DIMM slots, while the Snapdragon model does not. This makes it a no-upgrades-possible offering right now, so the base 8GB is more of a commitment than it looks.

Stacking against the incumbent: Apple's MacBook Neo

The Vibe ekes out some impressive wins; it beats the Neo in connectivity: the Vibe has two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI, a microSD reader, and a headphone jack.

The Neo makes do with two USB-C ports, one of them running at USB 2 speeds, plus a headphone jack, an allocation we have previously criticized as the bare minimum. Lenovo also offers an optional backlit keyboard, something the Neo lacks entirely, and a memory ceiling of 24GB against the Neo's fixed 8GB.

The Vibe comes in seven Pantone-developed shades, from Spicy Gold to Zen Green, with color-matched keycap sets sold separately.

"Color is the most personal design decision people make when choosing a device," Lenovo's Brian Leonard said at launch, that "versatility is certainly the big advantage of the IdeaPad Vibe" over Apple's machine.

Build quality is less clear-cut, however: metal configurations use aluminum for the lid and base, but the palm rest, keyboard deck and trackpad are plastic, and cheaper builds swap in a plastic bottom cover. HotHardware, which handled it at IFA, judged that the Vibe out-specs the Neo but added, "I don't think it feels as premium, and that's unfortunate." The Vibe also uses a fan, whereas the Neo is silent, opting for a fanless design.

The Neo set a high bar; we previously called it "the best budget laptop you can buy right now" at launch, though the $100 increase has since made it harder to recommend to everyone, with a potential argument that can be made that multiple budget Windows 11 laptops are now often the better buy.

At $799.99 in the US, it is a tough sell as a MacBook Neo alternative. For the same money, you get a Neo with 512GB of storage and Touch ID, a sharper, brighter screen, and Apple's arguably more mature software running on its own silicon. The Vibe's case rests on ports, a backlit keyboard, a slightly larger screen, and the option of 16GB or 24GB of RAM, which the Neo cannot offer at any price. If those matter to you, it is a reasonable Windows laptop with a lot of personality. It is just not the $699 Neo-matcher Lenovo announced earlier.

SteelSeries Sensei Pro review

While many wireless gaming mice are content with wired play-and-charge, the Sensei Pro takes a different tact with a battery management concept that, while not entirely new, may steer the sector in a new direction given its implementation by an esteemed brand such as SteelSeries.

In terms of looks, though, the Sensei Pro hardly departs from your typical symmetrical mouse. Its design is largely functional, with a small logo and orange scroll wheel being the only concessions to style. There are no odd angles or shapes here, or even any RGB lighting.

(Image credit: Future)

The standard model is quite large, and the prominent central hump might feel uncomfortable to certain hands. It took me a little while to adjust to it, but once I did I found it quite comfortable, helped by the super smooth finish of the shell. Those wanting more texture can attach the included grip tape to the sidewalls, mouse buttons, and even the back buttons.

Despite its bulky shape, the Sensei Pro is actually very light, weighing just 53g, yet feels perfectly solid and sturdy. This attention to build quality extends to the buttons, which all operate smoothly and provide satisfying feedback. My one gripe is with the DPI button: it’s placed underneath, a location I usually find impractical when playing games requiring frequent menu access and the like. Not only is it underneath, it’s to the right, which means right-handers won’t be able to reach it easily with their fingers.

You can customize the inputs of the Sensei Pro using SteelSeries’ GG software. Here you’ll find a remapping facility with plenty of options, including a healthy selection of media and system shortcuts. You can also adjust the DPI from 1K to 65K, with five customizable presets to cycle through. Not only that, but you can also adjust the DPI for the X and Y axes independently, which isn’t something I’ve often seen.

(Image credit: Future)

Then there are some features I’ve never seen before. These include click response adjustments between 0ms and 20ms, mouse movement acceleration tuning using preset graph curves, and sensor tilt adjustments by 45 degrees in either direction, in order to accommodate the natural angle of your hand movements. And while I’ve seen angle snapping modes in numerous other gaming mice software, I haven’t seen one with 10 levels of ‘straightening’ as there is here. Nor have I seen a scroll jump protection feature with as large a threshold range to play with (100ms to 1500ms). Other adjustments include independent lift-off and landing distance adjustments, as well as a motion sync toggle.

Again unlike many gaming mice, you can set the Ultra-wideband (UWB) polling and sensor rates separately, each with a range of 125Hz to 8KHz (with 9KHz overpolling). The explanation provided for these settings is clear and detailed, although it’s a shame 9K overpolling isn’t explained. In fact, the explanations for most features in GG are welcome, and go beyond what peripheral software usually provide. It also very handily tells you if you have Windows’ enhanced pointer precision setting enabled, and offers to disable it for you to improve performance. The overall layout of GG is clear and easy to navigate as well, although I found it slightly annoying that the actual adjustments section opens in second windows, introducing unnecessary desktop clutter.

When gaming, the Sensei Pro is a competent mouse. It glides with supreme smoothness, thanks to its large skates, while the mouse buttons are well lubed and very tactile. They have a deeper travel than many others, though, and might be a bit too heavy for those after seriously rapid spamming.

(Image credit: Future)

The side buttons and middle click are fantastically clicky, and are some of the best I’ve used. The former have a pleasingly deep travel, which only makes them more satisfying, while the latter feels like a proper button without the awkwardness that can often blight other examples. What’s more, I didn’t perform any accidental flicks when pressing it, even with Scroll Jump Protection disabled. The notching is perfectly weighted, too, allowing for both controlled single flicks and quick multiple swipes when needed.

Not being a pro gamer myself, I can’t honestly say I noticed any difference in polling and sensor rates above 1K, and certainly couldn’t discern the advantage of 9K overpolling. What I can tell you is that enabling the maximum rates, as well as the maximum sensor performance, drains battery life very quickly; you’ll get about a day’s worth at best. Dial back the polling to 1K, though, and you'll get much closer to SteelSeries' claimed top-end longevity figure of 120 hours.

(Image credit: Future)

But this is where the Sensei Pro’s USP comes into play — something SteelSeries calls the Infinite Power System. Rather than using a USB cable to play and charge at the same time, you cycle between two batteries: the one in your mouse and the other that charges on top of the UWB station. There’s no need to ever go wired — in fact, you can’t, since there’s no USB-C port on the Sensei Pro. The batteries themselves are quite easy to remove and insert, with a dot to indicate the correct alignment of the pins underneath, and requiring a simple twist to lock into place underneath the mouse. I didn’t experience any issues with the battery coming loose at any point.

So if you don't want to resort to wired play when you run flat, the Sensei Pro fits the bill perfectly. It’ll also cater to those fanatical about polling rates and deep tweaking. It’s a shame there’s no additional Bluetooth mode (especially at this price), and the relatively heavy clicks aren’t for everyone, but in other respects the Sensei Pro is sublime in action — you’ll just have to part with a large amount of cash for the privilege.

(Image credit: Future)SteelSeries Sensei Pro review: Price & availability

• $179.99 / £169.99 (about AU$260)
• Preorders available now, launches October 13
• Top end of the gaming mouse market

The Sensei Pro costs $179.99 / £169.99 (about AU$260) and launches October 13, although preorders are open now. Full size and mini variants are available, in either black or white.

This is very expensive for a wireless gaming mouse. It’s marginally less expensive than the Razer Naga V3 Pro, but the Naga has additional Bluetooth support, as well as a plethora of customizable buttons on the side. And if you want the same ‘infinite’ battery life, it’s compatible with the Razer’s HyperFlux V2 Wireless Charging System (read: a power-supplying mouse pad), although this is a costly optional extra on top of what is already a costly pointer.

If you fancy another mouse with a swappable battery system, the AngryMiao AM Infinity.97 is a viable alternative. This is slightly less expensive than the Sensei Pro, and is even lighter than the Sensei Pro (and much lighter than the Naga), tipping the scales at just 47g. Its looks might not be to every gamer’s tastes, though, and we weren’t particularly impressed with its basic software.

SteelSeries Sensei Pro review: Specs

Connectivity

Ultra-wideband

Battery life

120 hours (1K), 32 hours (8K)

Sensor

TrueMove 42K Pro Sensor

Polling rate

8KHz (with 9KHz overpolling)

Maximum sensitivity (DPI)

42,000 (65,000 with DPI Overdrive)

Programmable buttons

6

Dimensions

125.6 x 66.5 x 38.6mm

Weight

53g

Should I buy the SteelSeries Sensei Pro?SteelSeries Sensei Pro Scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Design

High quality and lightweight construction, but the bulbous hump may deter some gamers. Also, the DPI button is inconveniently placed.

4/5

Performance

Every button feels great, although clicks are a little too heavy for easy spamming. Performance tweaking is a cut above many rivals, though.

4.5/5

Value

This is about as pricey as gaming mice get, and many of its features will be overkill for lots of gamers.

3/5

Buy the SteelSeries Sensei Pro if…

You never want to go wired
With many wireless mice, you’ll have to plug in eventually. Not so here — just swap your batteries around when you run dry.

You want the best polling rate possible
How important high polling rates actually are is up for debate, but if it matters for you, the Sensei Pro’s 9K over-polling facility is pretty much unbeatable.

Don't buy it if…

You want multiple wireless modes
There’s no Bluetooth support for easy hot-switching, which is a shame on a mouse this expensive.

You want the fastest clicks
While the clicks have great feedback, they’re a little heavier than most, which may impede spams.

SteelSeries Sensei Pro review: Also consider

Razer Naga V3 Pro
The Naga may be even more expensive than the Sensei Pro (though only slightly), but it does offer more useful features, such as plenty of programmable side buttons and additional Bluetooth support. You can get the same ‘unlimited’ battery life too if you pair it with Razer’s powered mouse mat, but this adds yet more expense. Read our full Razer Naga V3 Pro review.

AngryMiao AM Infinity.97
If the idea of swappable batteries appeals to you, then the AM Infinity.97 is another candidate worth considering. It’s almost as dear as the Sensei Pro, but it’s slightly lighter and has a more unique — if more divisive — design. Read our full AngryMiao AM Infinity.97 review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the SteelSeries Sensei Pro

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming, working, general browsing
• Drew on extensive gaming mouse experience

I tested the SteelSeries Sensei Pro for several days, during which time I used it not just for gaming, but also for working and general browsing.

I played games such as S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl and Counter-Strike 2, the latter of which is a stern test for peripherals given the demands it places on quick and accurate movements and clicks.

I’ve been PC gaming for a long time, and have used and reviewed a large variety of gaming mice in that time, from modest budget offerings to expensive feature-packed, pro-level pointers.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: October 2026

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Light spoilers follow for Clayface.

Not many people would've predicted that a Clayface movie would be part of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe (DCU). Three years after Gunn unveiled the initial DCU slate, fewer still expected a shape-shifting villain to beat heavy hitters like Batman and Wonder Woman to the big screen.

And yet, here we are. Four months after Supergirl bombed at the box office, Clayface feels like a crucible moment for a cinematic universe that's still trying to find its footing and drop a few spontaneous surprises along the way. And, while the lovingly crafted origin story delivers on the latter front, it doesn't fully succeed in helping to shape the direction of DC's fledging comic book franchise.

Face/Off

Clayface is arguably the biggest role of Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries' career so far (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a Gotham City native and an actor on the cusp of superstardom. However, while celebrating a career-defining Best Actor award nomination, Hagen makes the fatal error of sleeping with Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro), the girlfriend of high-profile mobster Markos Szabo (David Dencik). In retaliation, Szabo’s henchmen brutally attack Hagen, disfiguring his prized face and destroying his life overnight.

Clayface feels like a crucible moment for the DCU

Abandoned by his allies and, after he takes Szabo to court for his crimes, failed by the justice system, a desperate Hagen seeks out Doctor Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), a researcher testing an experimental, regenerative nanocell therapy. However, while the initial trial restores his handsome features, Hagen soon succumbs to the treatment's terrifying side effects, leading him down a self-destructive path of revenge.

Matt Hagen is left horrifically scarred by his run-in with Szabo's men (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

It might sound strange, but witnessing a full-blown origins story is a rarity in this nascent comic book universe.

Sure, Supergirl was peppered with flashbacks of Kara Zor-El's life on Krypton, while Lanterns on HBO Max spotlighted John Stewart's journey to becoming a Green Lantern. Generally, though, DC Studios has deliberately shied away from origin tropes, which makes Clayface a rare exception to the rule.

Given that Clayface remains a mystery to anyone outside hardcore comic book circles, this focus on Hagen's transformation into the monstrous Batman adversary isn't only justified, but ultimately necessary.

Acting on impulse

Hagen's emotional turbulence is captured in near-pitch perfect fashion by Harries (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

More importantly, though, Clayface gives Harries ample room to fully explore this deeply tragic individual. Hagen isn't just a monster in the making; he's a man drowning in grief, wrestling with the overwhelming despair of losing his face and career overnight, and, eventually, his humanity.

Having lost his sense of self post-attack, Hagen attempts to literally and figuratively rebuild himself with Corr's pioneering yet hazardous serum. But, as the treatment heightens his darkest impulses, his emotional turmoil curdles into unbridled rage.

Clayface gives Harries ample room to fully explore this deeply tragic individual

This descent — from heartbroken victim to full-blown villain — gives Harries complete freedom to examine and showcase Hagen's devastating psychological unraveling. Running the full emotional gamut, Harries delivers a multi-layered performance worth talking about, brilliantly veering from fear and fury, to dismay and infatuation with an ease that cements his leading man credentials.

Moreover, Harries will leave you conflicted over whether you should actually be rooting for Hagen. Yes, his personal and professional ruination will draw sympathy, but Clayface's major narrative pivot point — i.e. the moment Hagen starts enacting revenge on his betrayers — quickly sees that compassion dissipate as his killing spree devolves from tragic accidents to cold premeditation.

Hagen and Corr's complicated dynamic is exacerbated by the former's transformative unraveling (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

But, this isn't just the Harries show. A large part of Clayface's storytelling success stems from the co-dependent, emotional dynamic between Harries' Hagen and Ackie's Corr.

A large part of Clayface's storytelling success stems from the co-dependent, emotional dynamic between Hagen and Corr

Initially built on a shared idealism of proving Corr's treatment is safe to use on humans, there's a satisfying earnestness to Hagen and Corr's embryonic bond at the outset. However, as their toxic obsessions take over — particularly where Hagen's unrequited limerence toward Corr, who he romanticizes as his savior, is concerned — their connection morphs into a warped romance with shades of Fatal Attraction and Phantom of the Opera.

Max Minghella's Gotham police detective isn't given much to do in Clayface (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

While the exploration of this increasingly discomforting bond is worthy of praise, I was disappointed that the love triangle between Hagen, Corr, and her Gotham cop boyfriend John Borelli (played by the ever-watchable Max Minghella) wasn't examined further.

With a lean, sub-two hour runtime, there's only so much narrative runway afforded to this DCU Chapter One entry. Nonetheless, I would've liked to see more the burgeoning rivalry between Hagen and Borelli that's only lightly peppered throughout.

I'd level a similar criticism at the underuse of Hagen's new shape-shifting abilities, specifically with how his acting background influences his powers. Sure, he combines his craft and superhuman talents to good effect as his quest for vengeance takes over. Still, while the creativity displayed in the film's climactic, gruesomely camp set-piece is plenty of fun, I was left wanting more from a premise with so much theatrical potential.

Monster mayhem

Clayface has some issues it needs to face up to (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Clayface doesn't fully lean into its skin-crawling body-horror potential, either. In a ironic twist for a movie about shape-shifting, the film suffers from its own identity crisis, never quite deciding whether it wants to be an uncompromising creature feature or a low-budget comic book flick.

I wish Clayface had leaned harder into viscerally repulsive territory

To be fair, there are some wonderfully grotesque moments that'll delight genre enthusiasts and leave more squeamish viewers wriggling uncomfortably in their seats. Moreover, while visual effects have an increasingly important role as Hagen's transformation progresses, it's the practical makeup that helps to really elevate Harries' performance, and add a real tactile viscosity and nauseating quality to his physical degradation.

How much more horrifying would it have been to see this full scene for the first time on the big screen? (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

That said, I wish it had leaned harder into viscerally repulsive territory, especially given its most nightmarish moments are featured heavily in its first, second, and third trailers. A few more of the 'show and tell' body-horror beats that Clayface handles so well, rather than deliberately dodging them with cliched, shadow-draped discretion shots, would've gone a long way to appeasing me.

Thankfully, the DCU's take on Gotham City doesn't suffer a similar atmospheric fate.

As grimy and seedy as any live-action iteration of the fictional megalopolis, Clayface presents Gotham as a stylish, neon-drenched playground. Blending rain-slicked noir aesthetics with a vibrant, comic-book palette, it creates a city that feels both oppressively dangerous and visually intoxicating. Its striking combination of Batman: The Animated Series' heightened gothic style and the gritty realism of Matt Reeves' The Batman is particularly notable, especially when you consider Clayface was originally pitched as a spin-off of the latter. Such comparisons will do little to assuage so-called 'merger bros', who want nothing more than to see Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight grapple-hook his way from Reeves' Bat-Verse to the DCU.

My verdict

Part-monster movie, part-Shakespearean tragedy, Clayface is a film of captivating contradictions. Driven by Harries' powerhouse lead performance, it delivers a surprisingly intimate and tragic character-driven story that explores the artificiality of fame, and puts a devotedly modern day spin on 'Feat of Clay', the two-part Batman: The Animated Series tale, it's inspired by. Even so, its hesitation to fully embrace its primary genre underpinnings, coupled with a few underbaked subplots and underutilized shape-shifting gags, holds it back from true greatness.

As a litmus test for the DCU, Clayface raises more questions about the franchise's broader direction after Supergirl and Lanterns. More generally, it doesn't reshape the mold for comic book cinema.

What it accomplishes, though, is far more intriguing: it proves Gunn and Safran are willing to take genuinely weird, character-focused gambles. I crave the next Batman, Wonder Woman, or Justice League film as much as the next person but, if we get more of these smaller scale offerings alongside their blockbuster brethren, Clayface will prove to be a risk worth taking.

Clayface is out now in multiple international territories, and will be released in US theaters on Friday, October 23.

Light spoilers follow for Clayface.

Not many people would've predicted that a Clayface movie would be part of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe (DCU). Three years after Gunn unveiled the initial DCU slate, fewer still expected a shape-shifting villain to beat heavy hitters like Batman and Wonder Woman to the big screen.

And yet, here we are. Four months after Supergirl bombed at the box office, Clayface feels like a crucible moment for a cinematic universe that's still trying to find its footing and drop a few spontaneous surprises along the way. And, while the lovingly crafted origin story delivers on the latter front, it doesn't fully succeed in helping to shape the direction of DC's fledging comic book franchise.

Face/Off

Clayface is arguably the biggest role of Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries' career so far (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a Gotham City native and an actor on the cusp of superstardom. However, while celebrating a career-defining Best Actor award nomination, Hagen makes the fatal error of sleeping with Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro), the girlfriend of high-profile mobster Markos Szabo (David Dencik). In retaliation, Szabo’s henchmen brutally attack Hagen, disfiguring his prized face and destroying his life overnight.

Clayface feels like a crucible moment for the DCU

Abandoned by his allies and, after he takes Szabo to court for his crimes, failed by the justice system, a desperate Hagen seeks out Doctor Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), a researcher testing an experimental, regenerative nanocell therapy. However, while the initial trial restores his handsome features, Hagen soon succumbs to the treatment's terrifying side effects, leading him down a self-destructive path of revenge.

Matt Hagen is left horrifically scarred by his run-in with Szabo's men (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

It might sound strange, but witnessing a full-blown origins story is a rarity in this nascent comic book universe.

Sure, Supergirl was peppered with flashbacks of Kara Zor-El's life on Krypton, while Lanterns on HBO Max spotlighted John Stewart's journey to becoming a Green Lantern. Generally, though, DC Studios has deliberately shied away from origin tropes, which makes Clayface a rare exception to the rule.

Given that Clayface remains a mystery to anyone outside hardcore comic book circles, this focus on Hagen's transformation into the monstrous Batman adversary isn't only justified, but ultimately necessary.

Acting on impulse

Hagen's emotional turbulence is captured in near-pitch perfect fashion by Harries (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

More importantly, though, Clayface gives Harries ample room to fully explore this deeply tragic individual. Hagen isn't just a monster in the making; he's a man drowning in grief, wrestling with the overwhelming despair of losing his face and career overnight, and, eventually, his humanity.

Having lost his sense of self post-attack, Hagen attempts to literally and figuratively rebuild himself with Corr's pioneering yet hazardous serum. But, as the treatment heightens his darkest impulses, his emotional turmoil curdles into unbridled rage.

Clayface gives Harries ample room to fully explore this deeply tragic individual

This descent — from heartbroken victim to full-blown villain — gives Harries complete freedom to examine and showcase Hagen's devastating psychological unraveling. Running the full emotional gamut, Harries delivers a multi-layered performance worth talking about, brilliantly veering from fear and fury, to dismay and infatuation with an ease that cements his leading man credentials.

Moreover, Harries will leave you conflicted over whether you should actually be rooting for Hagen. Yes, his personal and professional ruination will draw sympathy, but Clayface's major narrative pivot point — i.e. the moment Hagen starts enacting revenge on his betrayers — quickly sees that compassion dissipate as his killing spree devolves from tragic accidents to cold premeditation.

Hagen and Corr's complicated dynamic is exacerbated by the former's transformative unraveling (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

But, this isn't just the Harries show. A large part of Clayface's storytelling success stems from the co-dependent, emotional dynamic between Harries' Hagen and Ackie's Corr.

A large part of Clayface's storytelling success stems from the co-dependent, emotional dynamic between Hagen and Corr

Initially built on a shared idealism of proving Corr's treatment is safe to use on humans, there's a satisfying earnestness to Hagen and Corr's embryonic bond at the outset. However, as their toxic obsessions take over — particularly where Hagen's unrequited limerence toward Corr, who he romanticizes as his savior, is concerned — their connection morphs into a warped romance with shades of Fatal Attraction, Phantom of the Opera, and a dark, twisted inversion of (500) Days of Summer.

Max Minghella's Gotham police detective isn't given much to do in Clayface (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

While the exploration of this increasingly discomforting bond is worthy of praise, I was disappointed that the love triangle between Hagen, Corr, and her Gotham cop boyfriend John Borelli (played by the ever-watchable Max Minghella) wasn't examined further.

With a lean, sub-two hour runtime, there's only so much narrative runway afforded to this DCU Chapter One entry. Nonetheless, I would've liked to see more the burgeoning rivalry between Hagen and Borelli that's only lightly peppered throughout.

I'd level a similar criticism at the underuse of Hagen's new shape-shifting abilities, specifically with how his acting background influences his powers. Sure, he combines his craft and superhuman talents to good effect as his quest for vengeance takes over. Still, while the creativity displayed in the film's climactic, gruesomely camp set-piece is plenty of fun, I was left wanting more from a premise with so much theatrical potential.

Monster mayhem

Clayface has some issues it needs to face up to (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Clayface doesn't fully lean into its skin-crawling body-horror potential, either. In a ironic twist for a movie about shape-shifting, the film suffers from its own identity crisis, never quite deciding whether it wants to be an uncompromising creature feature or a low-budget comic book flick.

I wish Clayface had leaned harder into viscerally repulsive territory

To be fair, there are some wonderfully grotesque moments that'll delight genre enthusiasts and leave more squeamish viewers wriggling uncomfortably in their seats. Moreover, while visual effects have an increasingly important role as Hagen's transformation progresses, it's the practical makeup that helps to really elevate Harries' performance, and add a real tactile viscosity and nauseating quality to his physical degradation.

How much more horrifying would it have been to see this full scene for the first time on the big screen? (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

That said, I wish it had leaned harder into viscerally repulsive territory, especially given its most nightmarish moments are featured heavily in its first, second, and third trailers. A few more of the 'show and tell' body-horror beats that Clayface handles so well, rather than deliberately dodging them with cliched, shadow-draped discretion shots, would've gone a long way to appeasing me.

Thankfully, the DCU's take on Gotham City doesn't suffer a similar atmospheric fate.

As grimy and seedy as any live-action iteration of the fictional megalopolis, Clayface presents Gotham as a stylish, neon-drenched playground. Blending rain-slicked noir aesthetics with a vibrant, comic-book palette, it creates a city that feels both oppressively dangerous and visually intoxicating. Its striking combination of Batman: The Animated Series' heightened gothic style and the gritty realism of Matt Reeves' The Batman is particularly notable, especially when you consider Clayface was originally pitched as a spin-off of the latter. Such comparisons will do little to assuage so-called 'merger bros', who want nothing more than to see Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight grapple-hook his way from Reeves' Bat-Verse to the DCU.

My verdict

Part-monster movie, part-Shakespearean tragedy, Clayface is a film of captivating contradictions. Driven by Harries' powerhouse lead performance, it delivers a surprisingly intimate and tragic character-driven story that explores the artificiality of fame, and puts a devotedly modern day spin on 'Feat of Clay', the two-part Batman: The Animated Series tale, it's inspired by. Even so, its hesitation to fully embrace its primary genre underpinnings, coupled with a few underbaked subplots and underutilized shape-shifting gags, holds it back from true greatness.

As a litmus test for the DCU, Clayface raises more questions about the franchise's broader direction after Supergirl and Lanterns. More generally, it doesn't reshape the mold for comic book cinema.

What it accomplishes, though, is far more intriguing: it proves Gunn and Safran are willing to take genuinely weird, character-focused gambles. I crave the next Batman, Wonder Woman, or Justice League film as much as the next person but, if we get more of these smaller scale offerings alongside their blockbuster brethren, Clayface will prove to be a risk worth taking.

Clayface is out now in multiple international territories, and will be released in US theaters on Friday, October 23.

The scent-sending technology could be used in online shopping, healhcare diagnoses and just for fun.

I've used Bitdefender Total Security to protect my own devices for years, and I highly recommend it. I've found a great deal on the security software at Newegg that brings a year's coverage for up to 10 devices down to under $30.

Bitdefender Total Security 2026 is reduced to $28 (was $100) at Newegg with promo code EPF56892. It doesn't get much cheaper than this, so well-worth checking out.

• Best for: Households with multiple devices, anyone wanting protection across different operating systems, and people looking for antivirus software with additional privacy and ransomware defenses.

• Why I like it: I use Bitdefender Total Security to protect all of my devices at home, and it's much more than a traditional antivirus tool. As well as keeping you safe from viruses, spyware, Trojans, ransomware, and other malicious software, it also uses behavioral detection to identify suspicious activity and defend against unknown threats.

Today's best antivirus software deal

Total Security 2026: was $99.99 now $27.99
Bitdefender Total Security provides one year of protection for 10 Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices, with malware detection, ransomware defense, privacy tools, parental controls, and limited daily VPN access included.View Deal

Why we recommend it

The software can block online tracking, monitor attempts to access your webcam or microphone, and identify potentially dangerous websites. The subscription covers up to 10 devices running Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

The package also includes access to Bitdefender VPN, although it's limited to 200MB per day per device, which is only really enough for occasional use. Parental control features will be of interest to anyone with children, although availability and functionality depend on the OS.

In covering the software, we said: "Bitdefender tops our list and ticks every box. It performed well across our testing, boasts all the tools you need to protect your devices from malware (and more), and is nice and easy to use – regardless of platform. While some expert users might wish for a little more granular customization, we think that Bitdefender strikes the right balance in terms of configuration and ease of use."

Price context & historical value

Newegg sells the one-year, 10-device subscription for $99.99, but is currently offering it at $52.99. Enter EPF56892 at checkout to save a further $25, bringing the final price to $27.99.

That represents a $72 saving against the original price, approximately 72% off. If you activate the program on all 10 devices, the first-year cost works out to approximately $2.80 per device.

It's important to remember that this is a one-year license, rather than a permanent software purchase. You're not locked in though. What I usually do is search for a new deal around the renewal time.

For more options, take a look at our roundup of the best antivirus software.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Bitdefender Total Security if...

You want one antivirus subscription covering Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. It's also great for ransomware protection, malicious website detection, and privacy tools. At $27.99, this is a fantastic deal.

❌ Skip Bitdefender Total Security if...

You only need to protect one computer and are satisfied with your device's built-in antivirus software. Windows includes Microsoft Defender, and macOS and mobile operating systems have their own security protections.

• Shop all antivirus software at Newegg