CLAYFACE - Movie Review
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TOM RHYS HARRIES as Matt Hagen in DC Studios’ “Clayface,” a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. | Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
A gruesome new shape for DC that almost molds together
CLAYFACE
Rising Hollywood star Matt Hagen descends into a horrifying revenge-filled monster when scientific ambition strips him of his identity and humanity.
DIRECTOR: James Watkins
WRITERS: Mike Flanagan, Hossein Amini
STARRING: Tom Rhys Harries, Ruby Sear, Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella,
2026 | 1h 48m | Rated R
Clayface takes a darker approach to the superhero genre by delivering a gory story about fame and the obsession with looking perfect. A blend of the body-horror of The Substance and the identity crisis of A Different Man via James Gunn’s DC Universe.
Tom Rhys Harries gives a performance that feels both familiar and distinct, embodying the look of your typical Hollywood actor while finding ways to make Matt Hagen stand out. His performance captures the irony of someone who looks like everyone else desperately trying to hold on to what makes him unique. Less like a traditional comic-book villain and more like an ordinary guy pushed to his breaking point. His transformation into a monster feels tragic giving the film an emotional core even when the script doesn’t fully mold alongside him.
The supporting cast in Clayface does enough to keep the story moving, but few are given the depth needed to leave a lasting impression. Naomi Ackie brings a grounded presence to the film, although the screenplay ultimately reduces her to a supporting role in Matt’s story rather than giving her a compelling arc of her own.
TOM RHYS HARRIES as Matt Hagen in DC Studios’ “Clayface,” a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. | Photo by Parisa Taghizadeh
The body horror is easily the film’s biggest strength. The practical and visual effects of unsettling imagery make Matt’s transformation genuinely uncomfortable to watch at points, while James Watkins (Speak No Evil) creates an atmosphere that feels more like a psychological horror film than a traditional comic-book adaptation. DC’s attempt at The Fly.
TOM RHYS HARRIES as Clayface in DC Studios’ “Clayface,” a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. | Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Rob Hardy’s cinematography gives Clayface a grimy, almost expressionist look, using a wider 2:76:1 aspect ratio to emphasize the bleak atmosphere and towering buildings. It makes Gotham feel like a character that is itself crumbling and decaying in beauty, reflecting the film’s aesthetic of a city slowly rotting from within.
TOM RHYS HARRIES as Matt Hagen in DC Studios’ “Clayface,” a Warner Bros. Pictures Release. | Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
Unfortunately, the story doesn’t always live up to its potential. Its themes surrounding Hollywood’s obsession with beauty and fame are interesting, but the story occasionally falls back on familiar horror tropes instead of digging deeper into what makes Matt’s downfall so tragic.
Still, Clayface is an entertaining and gruesome addition to DC’s lineup. It may not fully deliver on its ambitious ideas, but its disturbing visuals and strong lead performance make it a worthwhile experiment that proves superhero stories can get pretty ugly.
