Tom Rhys Harries Stars in James Watkins Body Horror Film Clayface for DCU
“Clayface” is a breath of fresh air in the superhero genre, representing the third film in the new James Gunn universe and showcasing a body horror style. Directed by James Watkins, the film follows Matt Hagen, a young Oscar-nominated Hollywood star whose rapid rise turns into an instant fall after an encounter with Gotham City mobster Marckos Szabo.
From Rising Hollywood Star to Disfigured Outcast in Gotham City
Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) travels back to Gotham City with his best friend to celebrate his recent Oscar nomination. Ignoring his friend’s warnings, Hagen gets involved with a woman connected to prominent mobster Marckos Szabo (David Dencik). Szabo and his men capture Hagen and deliberately carve up his face to strip away his most valuable asset.
JAMES WATKINS will officially direct 'CLAYFACE' pic.twitter.com/2IWyYTwlOF
Following six failed surgeries, Hagen is entirely unrecognizable. Szabo’s control over Gotham causes the police, justice system, media, agent, and manager to turn against him, portraying him as a monster.
Experimental Nanobot Treatment and Unsparing Practical Effects
Left with nothing, Hagen accepts an experimental nanobot treatment from Caitlyn Coor (Naomi Ackie), who has previously tested the technology only on animals and donated skin fragments. The treatment initially repairs his face, allowing Hagen to flaunt his appearance at the red carpet premiere of the very film that dropped him.
When his face begins to melt during the public outing, Hagen takes a near-fatal dose at Caitlyn’s lab, granting him the ability to shapeshift into anyone. The film features unsparing practical effects, including scenes where Hagen’s face melts spontaneously and he cuts open his own eyes in real time using real prosthetics to regain his sight.
Revenge Plotline and DC Universe Integration
The third act shifts into a violent revenge plotline that highlights various aspects of Hagen’s new shapeshifting powers. Harries delivers strong emotionality for a character who acts as his own worst enemy by making consistently poor decisions. As the first film in the DCU timeline, the gritty portrayal of Gotham sets a direct foundation for how a Batman film will fit in this environment.
Final Verdict: Go See In Theaters (4/5).
