Clayface Review: Fun, Engaging Thriller That Overcomes Its Imperfections

DC’s Clayface hits cinemas Friday, October 23, 2026.

Clayface marks DC Studios’ 3rd feature film from the DC Universe to hit cinema screens during James Gunn’s reign and I left pleasantly surprised. It is definitely a stark contrast to the superhero shenanigans of the first 2 “Superman/Supergirl” stories. This is a bold, unique thrill ride that packs some impressive visuals and refreshing moments. Boasting a story by horror maestro Mike Flanagan (who helped co-write the script), this is far from your typical comic book fare.

For those who don’t know, the Clayface character is a part of the infamous Batman rogues’ gallery of villains. Fans of Batman: The Animated Series’ take on the character will rejoice at how faithful this film is to this source material. Having just watched the 2 part “Feat of Clay” episodes, it felt like some scenes were practically lifted from the classic 90s TV show. Where the film starts to cook is when we start to get to the sauce that the acclaimed writer/director Flanagan is beloved for.

What is Clayface about?

Our tale begins and ends with the charismatic Tom Rhys Harries (Netflix’s White Lines, The Gentlemen) portraying Matt Hagen. Hagen is a talented actor riding high on an Academy Award nomination who unfortunately becomes engaged with mob entanglements during his extravagant celebrations. Seduced by the beautiful, sultry Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro), Matt spends the night with her only to wake up surrounded by goons and Torrez’s boyfriend, Markos Szabo (David Dencik). Szabo is written as a typical, cookie-cutter mob boss with the type of connections that provide him with the correct sense of power and clout. Despite the stereotypes, Dencik plays the role well and he’s wickedly mean as he punishes Hagen by brutally cutting up his handsome face to shreds.

Left horribly disfigured and disgraced, Matt desperately looks to Dr. Caitlyn Corr to help restore his face. Corr is played tenderly well by Naomi Ackie (Blink Twice, Mickey 17) as she reluctantly decides to illegally test her nano cell reconstruction tech on Hagen. While the procedure seems to have gone well, Matt begins to experience extraordinary, albeit horrifyingly gruesome side effects. The body horror aspects are admittedly hard to stomach at times, but the incredible visual effects work help emphasize the immense trauma that Matt is going through.

As Matt’s body begins to adapt and acclimate to the nano cells in his bloodstream, he spends the rest of the film confronting all who wronged him after his injury.

Clayface review

Fans of Flanagan’s previous work will definitely enjoy this film, especially those who saw his most recent offering, The Fall of the House of Usher. The deep character study and brutal consequences of that show lend themselves very similarly to Clayface. Most will find themselves looking away, but my jaw literally dropped a few different times during the insane body malfunction moments. While graphic and gory, it isn’t all blood and guts. My favorite scene actually is a quiet cinematic nod to The Godfather Part 2. A moment that could have been a simple homage was enhanced by the context of this film’s story.

The narrative does drag a little in the second act, but the film shines thanks to the very strong performances from Harris & Ackie, as well as an excellent cast from a slew of character actors you have seen in countless other projects. I felt engaged in the flow and development of our leads’ relationship, and their journey took a very satisfying although inevitably tragic course. The film’s final act may be a little divisive for some, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The climax’s action was inventive and well choreographed, leading up to an epic transformation that will both enthrall and shock audiences unfamiliar with the character.

Is Clayface worth watching?

Being unfamiliar with his previous work, Director James Watkins absolutely put me on notice as a name to watch. Like others who direct more established artists’ stories, it may be hard to escape Flanagan’s shadow, but Watkins seemed to command this film well and make it his own.

Rooted in visceral terror as well as a committed emphasis on character, Clayface is absolutely worth a watch. I was genuinely surprised and impressed by some sequences that I quite honestly have never seen before. I am very grateful to the head of DC Studios, James Gunn, for greenlighting this story, because these are the type of wild swings that can help future comic book films thrive and shine. It’s risky for sure, but in this instance it is a breath of fresh air compared to the typical caped, action-packed extravaganzas the medium is known for.

Clayface Review: Fun, Engaging Thriller That Overcomes Its Imperfections