Clayface

Synopsis: Matt Hagen's meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss's actions leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self… but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge. 

Movie Review: 

"Clayface" is helmed by James Watkins and marks the third installment in James Gunn's revamped DCU, which kicked off with "Superman" last year. It's a low-budget body horror flick centered on one of Batman's villains with a genuine origin story that blends fun with genuinely creepy body horror—terrifying, disgusting, and horrifying in how this guy transforms. It honestly felt like a tragedy that was also a blast to watch. What really made this movie click for me was Tom Rhys Harries' stellar performance as Matt Hagen, a charismatic actor who's charming and good-looking with everything going for him. His acting made you genuinely care about him, especially after what happens to his face and the tragic betrayal and romantic heartbreak that pushes him toward villainy. Tom is hands down the best part of this film, and his charm and wit have me pumped about his future in the DC Universe. The emotional core revolves around a love story between Matt and Caitlyn Corr, played by Naomi Ackie, who delivers a solid performance as a brilliant, intelligent doctor who helps Matt recover and inadvertently grants him these devastating powers. That said, I didn't really buy their connection or feel their love—it came across as awkward and weird with zero chemistry between them. The reason the love story didn't land for me is because Caitlyn's already engaged to John Borrelli, played by Max Minghella, a good cop working within Gotham's corrupt police force. He's solid in the role as a kind, loving fiancé and an honest cop who genuinely wants to do right, making him a likable character. The standout elements are definitely the terrifying body horror of Matt reshaping his face, transforming into anyone he sees, and how he weaponizes this newfound ability to hurt and kill those who wronged him. The kills are inventive, bloody, gruesome, and gory—the kind of stuff that'll make you squirm. There are two killer scenes: one on a plane when his face starts glitching out, which is super nerve-wracking, and the third-act nightclub sequence where he gets his revenge—it's fun, campy, silly, but so entertaining that it feels genuinely satisfying. The pacing felt off and those quick cuts were pushing the story way too fast right from the start. What really got to me though was the main villain, Markos Szabo, played by David Dencik—he came across as pretty goofy and unmemorable, and his dialogue was honestly some of the worst I've heard. It threw off the whole vibe of the film sometimes. That said, despite the pacing hiccups, some ridiculous moments, and clunky lines, this still managed to be a solid body horror flick that'll leave you satisfied. I'm giving "Clayface" 3.5/5 stars.

Director: James Watkins 

Cast: Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella, David Dencik, Francesca Corney, Ruby Sear, will Coban, Joshua James, Jake Curran, Nancy Carroll, Oliva- Mai Barret, Rob Brydon and Joana Ribeiro 

Runtime: 109 Minutes