Clayface: Stardom, Science, Sadness
If I had to pick out what my favorite trailers of the year have been, a few spots at the top of the list would have to go to DC Studios’ Clayface. Directed by James Watkins and written by Mike Flanagan & Hossein Amini, the film serves as a cinematic origin story for the Batman villain of the same name. What always fascinated me about this film in pre-production was the DCU’s boldness to include R-rated films from its first chapter. Marvel had tested TV-MA works for its projects in the past, but its first and only R-rated film didn’t materialize until 2024 with Deadpool & Wolverine—which by all accounts I’d consider a parody film in many regards. Clayface promised a no-holds-barred shocker of a comic book movie detailing the full transformation of Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) into Clayface, as gorey as it needed to get.
As far as the horror aspects of Clayface go, I have no notes. Every scene meant to feel tense and spontaneous felt so, from the film’s first loud noise to its tragic conclusion. I do feel some of the facial transformation broke the immersion a bit; there was less morphing into these faces than there was cutting between one or the other. Was the budget that low that we couldn’t see more of his “clay” shifting around when he rubs his face? Those were some of my favorite shots in the film, and the VFX on them were insanely smooth for a lower-budget DC project.
When the film is simply showing the humans within Gotham City, that’s where I’m conflicted on the film’s display of humanity. I will preface by saying, MOST of the cast does a great job. Naomi Ackie was probably my favorite in this, maintaining Dr. Caitlyn Corr’s professionalism while also showing the cracks forming as Hagen’s life spirals into something she never asked for. The villain Markos Szabo’s (David Dencik) entrance, however, didn’t really sell me on the stakes and if anything had me worried about the rest of the film. I thought a lot of his dialogue was cheekier than the tone required for the kind of film this ends up being. To be fair, this applies to more exchanges later in the movie than just this one—I didn’t really like the two guys on TV Matt was watching either, their banter didn’t feel very real. And for what it’s worth, the nightclub confrontation between Matt and Markos I thought was actually really well executed! I just wished the movie would sooner pick a lane than deliberate on how well that kind of chemistry would fit in a psychological thriller body horror.
I think Clayface is another victory for the DCU as production on its next projects goes full steam ahead. I love how varied DC Studios is letting its directors and writers get with the craft of what a comic book movie or show can be. I’m personally The People v. Gorilla Grodd‘s strongest soldier (I love the minds behind American Vandal), and Lanterns‘ success and acclaim have been so meteoric that it being the first good Green Lantern production to many is a footnote at this point. I’m glad that with the reboot of the banner’s continuity has come just as much variety as anyone could possibly ask for tonally between characters. And while we’re at it, check out Get Jiro on Adult Swim—yes, it counts!
Clayface is now in theaters worldwide.