MOVIE OF THE WEEK (10/23/26): CLAYFACE

"Man, the reviews on this spa better be worth having my whole body feel like taffy ... This is just taffy, right? RIGHT?!" Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) finds himself adjusting to ... changes ... In a scene from the new body horror thriller inspired by one of Batman's old foes, CLAYFACE. Credit: © Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

CAST: Tom Rhys Harries | Naomi Ackie | David Dencik | Max Minghella | Eddie Marsan | Nany Carroll | Joshua James | Joana Ribeiro | Corey Johnson

WRITER: Mike Flanagan & Hossein Amini (screenplay) | Bill Finger and Bob Kane (based on characters created by)

DIRECTOR: James Watkins

TRAILER:

THE STORY: Inspired by the classic DC Comics character of the same name, CLAYFACE stars Tom Rhys Harries at Matt Hagen, an actor from the notorious Narrows neighborhood in Gotham City. Overcoming a rough childhood, Matt has moved to and become a movie star in Coast City, earning an Oscar nomination for his latest project. 

Returning home to celebrate with his childhood friend and fellow aspiring actor Corey Bowery (Joshua James), the duo heads to Vesuvius, a nightclub frequented by Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro), an aspiring actress in her own right ... Who also happens to be unfaithful girlfriend of local mob boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik). Waking up the next morning surrounded by Szabo and his goons, Matt has his life – and face – shattered following a vicious assault that leaves his face severely disfigured and in need of six surgeries.

His good looks a thing of the past, Matt's life quickly goes to shambles as everything and everyone who knows turns their back on him. Distraught, out of money and now living back in the Narrows, Matt stumbles across a video – or rather, a doctor – that might be able to change his life: Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), who's revolutionary technology might just be able to fix his face. Dr. Corr's police detective fiancé John Borelli (Max Minghella), however, is busy investigating the why Matt's civil trial against Szabo failed so spectacularly ...

Unfortunately, as is the case with just about every untested medical breakthrough, there are side effects – and Matt is about to discover just how severe they can be ... As is everyone who ever wronged him.

THE REVIEW: Since James Gunn took over the reigns of the DC Comics Universe, the silliness associated with some of its earlier films has basically been eradicated completely. With CLAYFACE, DC enters the body horror realm while establishing a classic character as a more imposing figure than ever before suitable for the rogues gallery of a certain dark knight. 

Harries carries CLAYFACE from start to finish, bringing both humanity to Matt and a menacing presence to his shapeshifting presence over time as the films story develops. In watching his character slowly descend into becoming a monster, Harries delivers a strong performance that shows how having the one taken away from you that you've used to earn a good life can turn an otherwise good person into a revenge-filled entity that, in losing his own humanity, begins to lose any empathy for anyone who won't bend to his own desires and wishes. It is Harries' ability to make you feel his character's pain at every turn that serves as the center of the film, which in turn makes his actions during its climax feel both clever and a little justifiable at the same time (well, most of them, anyway). His character simply wanted help to be able to do what he loves ... Instead, he receives treachery, deceit and a cruel lesson in show business. 

If there is a slight problem with CLAYFACE, it would center upon Ackie's portrayal of Dr. Corr. Whereas it Harries truly digs deep into his bag to bring his character to life, there are too many times that feels like Ackie is simply hitting her beats, no more, no less. It's kind of like when you go to a mom and pop restaurant that has a signature dish and you try their take on something else: It's likely fine, but it's unremarkable – and given the rest of the kitchen's talent, you can't help but wonder why this one dish isn't as great as the rest. 

Minghella and James do a great job as a classic New York, er Gotham, grizzled detective who is the last uncorrupted member of his department and the guy caught in the crosshairs of a situation he didn't ask for, Ackie just hits her beats. This in turn makes a part of the film's climax feel completely unbelievable and sour on Ackie's character, two missteps that aren't enough to derail the rest of it but definitely will leave you scratching your head.

But given how well director James Watkins and Harries bring Matt's tragic tale to life, CLAYFACE should help continue to shape shift DC Studios' new celluloid universe in a positive direction.

RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):