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Photos of Lily-Rose Depp sporting a prosthetic cleft lip on the set of her new horror film have sparked backlash from the cleft palate community and several leading charities.
The actress, 26, was seen for the first time filming for the medieval horror, Werwulf, on a specially-built set in Bourne Wood, Surrey, at the weekend.
In contrast to her usual glamorous outfits, Lily-Rose sported a 13th-century era costume made up of a shapeless brown smock and burgundy headscarf, as she held a baby wrapped in swaddling cloth.
But the most eye-catching part of her look for the film was that the Idol star was seen to be wearing prosthetics to appear as though she had a cleft lip.
A cleft lip or palate occurs when the parts of a baby’s face do not join properly during its development in the womb, leaving a space in the roof of their mouth, lip or both.
The use of the birth defect as part of the make-up for a character in a horror film has sparked outrage, with global nonprofit Smile Train and UK charity Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) both releasing a statements to voice their disappointment.
Smile Train – which provides free, comprehensive cleft care, including surgery, to children – took to their Instagram to share their concern that the film would reinforce negative stereotypes and connotions about the disorder.
Taking to their official Instagram, they wrote: ‘In 2026, the film Werwulf is set to be released, and we’ve learned that the main character appears to have a cleft.
‘The title “Werwulf” comes from an old German folkloric term meaning “man-wolf.” While creative interpretations of folklore can be powerful, this combination raises concerns.
‘Historically, “wolf-lip” was an old German and Russian term for a cleft lip, associating the condition with werewolf mythology and other negative connotations.
‘At Smile Train, we understand how strongly facial representation can influence public perception. Associating a character with a cleft, especially within a narrative tied to potentially harmful imagery, may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes that people with clefts have long worked to overcome.’
They explained they were reaching out to the production to find out how the cleft would be represented in the film, as they pointed out its potential to be harmful to those with clefts.
Smile Train said: ‘We believe storytellers have an important responsibility to consider how facial differences are depicted and how these choices affect real individuals and communities.
‘We will reach out to the film’s creative team to learn more and hope this can become an opportunity for education and positive dialogue.’
On Wednesday, CLAPA – the national charity supporting people born with a cleft and their families in the UK – also posted the photos of Lily-Rose and shared their fears about the movie’s impact on the community.
They wrote: ‘As the UK charity representing and championing people born with a cleft, we’re deeply concerned by recent coverage surrounding the upcoming film Werwulf.
‘New images showing Lily-Rose Depp wearing a prosthetic cleft have caused real unease across our community.’
They continued: ‘We don’t yet know how this choice fits within the film’s story, but we will be contacting the production to understand their approach — and to offer guidance where it’s needed.
‘What we do know is that some of the public and media reaction has been profoundly disappointing. Comments made about the prosthetic cleft reveal how easily outdated attitudes resurface when reporting lacks care, accuracy and respect.
‘The media shapes public perception, and some of what we’ve seen falls far below acceptable standards. We’ll be monitoring coverage closely and challenging irresponsible reporting wherever it appears.’
CLAPA concluded the statement: ‘This is not a statement we expected to issue in 2025. It’s a stark reminder of how far society still has to go in understanding and respecting visible difference.
‘To our cleft community: we’re here. If you need someone to talk to or want support, visit clapa.com.’
Smile Train and CLAPA’s posts prompted a flood of supportive comments, with many admitting they were ‘disgusted’ and ‘deeply hurt’ over the use of the prosthetic, and declaring ‘a cleft is not a prop’.
Those within the community insisted that the film was ‘demonising’ people’s differences and would cause clefts to be viewed as something shameful or scary, remarking it felt like ‘we’re back in the Stone Age’.
They commented: ‘The state of the world is truly appalling!! As a cleft parent, I’m deeply hurt by what I’ve read. I really do worry for my son’s future with comments like that.’;
‘I have been shocked, disgusted and equally saddened to read some of the write ups about this new movie. A cleft is not a prop and I too am intrigued as to how it will play out. Education is needed, our children’s differences are unique and they certainly should not be demonised.’;
‘Hugely disappointing and shows great ignorance’; ‘This is so sad. My son in a teen and has a cleft and to portray people with cleft in such a way is like going back to Stone Age’;
‘Also to add, if having a character with a cleft lip was important then why not find an actor with a real life cleft lip instead of creating a fake one on another actor?’;
‘Wow definitely feels like we are back in the stone ages. The directors and producers should be ashamed of themselves. They have clearly done no research. Any another disorder used in this way would cause entire uproar.’;
‘I have no words for this. I have a cleft and have been lucky never to experience ridicule that I know of. To see this is just really hurtful and insulting, like having a cleft is something to be ashamed of and other people to be scared of’;
‘Hugely disappointing but not surprising since Hollywood seems to scream the loudest about equity and inclusion but lacks the actual application in practice. Stay strong fellow clefties. ❤️❤️’
According to the Mayo Clinic, children with a cleft face a variety of challenges, depending on the type and severity of the gap.
These include feeding, because although babies with a cleft lip can still breastfeed, a cleft palate makes sucking difficult for the newborn.
They are also at risk for developing hearing loss and having major dental problems if the cleft goes through the gum. Children may have a hard time with speech as the roof of the mouth is used to make sounds.
Meanwhile, for developing nations, children with a cleft lip and/or palate can be ostracized from their communities.
Smile Train claims that those left untreated for their condition are left with physical difficulties and live in isolation in parts of the world where care isn’t easily accessible. As a result, many don’t attend school or able to hold a job later on in life.
The psychological effects aren’t just limited to the children – parents also feel ashamed and shunned because of their child’s birth defect.
However, those with cleft palates and or lips should not feel that their birth defect will hold them back in life.
Several famous people to be born with the condition include Oscar-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix, NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and Carmen Bachar of the girl group the Pussycat Dolls.
Werwulf is being made by Robert Eggers, who also directed Lily-Rose in her last film, Nosferatu, which was nominated for four Oscars.
The star-studded cast also includes fellow Nosferatu star Willem Dafoe, who has also been seen filming in medieval costume while riding a horse, as well as Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
The movie is set in a remote village in 13th-century England which is stalked by a mysterious creature.
Further scenes for the film are being shot on Dartmoor, where medieval-style buildings and farmsteads have been erected.
