Clayface is a refreshing take on the villain origin story, with a side of body horror and a satisfying revenge tale. After Clayface, it’s going to be hard to dislike this future Batman villain following his empathetic debut, led by a terrific Tom Rhys Harries.
Actor Matt Hagen (Harries) is on the verge of stardom until a Gotham mob boss and his crew disfigure his face in the most gruesome way. A scientist on the verge of a breakthrough in skin regeneration takes Matt on as a patient.
Clayface is an imaginative and original origin story, comparable to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, but much gorier. DC Studios under James Gunn is finally bringing lesser-known DC Comics characters to life on the big screen. Superhero fatigue is real, and Clayface is an antidote to that, with relatable and grounded themes that make the story accessible beyond comic book fans.
Under the direction of James Watkins (Speak No Evil), Gotham City is a familiar setting that fits right in with the world created by Matt Reeves’ The Batman and The Penguin. What sets Clayface apart is its focus on the familiar world of the entertainment industry.
The body horror is so grotesque that audiences will either let out a collective gasp or turn their eyes away — like I did. When Matt unleashes his new abilities on his antagonists, the kills are unique and fitting for his newfound powers as a sort of vigilante. Matt’s revenge tour begins almost accidentally and gradually escalates, building to a very satisfying finale that completes his descent into full-blown villainy.
The horror doesn’t merely come from the visual effects but from the violence inflicted on the human body. The VFX are so effective that some of the gore is almost too difficult to watch.
Harries brings a hardened, rugged face with deep lines and pronounced features to the role, which makes the effects of Matt’s disfigurement even more striking. More importantly, the actor brings tremendous empathy to a villain in the making.
Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie also share dynamic chemistry as the leads. Thankfully, Ackie’s Caitlyn Corr isn’t portrayed as the stereotypical mad scientist. Instead, she’s a compassionate character hoping to use her discovery to cure debilitating conditions. Matt and Caitlyn may be on the same side, but their conflicting motivations repeatedly put them at odds throughout the story.
Clayface is the perfect example of how to introduce a lesser-known comic book character without relying heavily on established DC mythology. It works as a character-driven horror and revenge story first, while still delivering the transformation comic book fans have been waiting for.
Comic book fans and mainstream audiences alike should find plenty to enjoy in the latest from DC Studios.
Clayface is now playing in movie theaters.