Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
‘Clayface’ is a surprisingly effective revenge-horror romance
Clayface is a horror film about a Batman villain whose story centers on Matt Hagen, a rising actor whose face is badly injured.
Set in Gotham, the film follows Hagen as he turns to Dr. Caitlyn Corr, a scientist developing an experimental treatment.
Her serum repairs his face, but only temporarily, and the unstable effects become part of his transformation.
Hagen and Corr grow close as he seeks revenge on people connected to his injury.
The film combines body horror with a revenge story and romance, while also poking fun at Hollywood’s focus on appearance.
Director James Watkins made the film from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie in the lead roles.
The review describes it as a crowd-pleasing, lower-key entry in the first wave of films from DC Studios under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The Associated Press calls “Clayface” a surprisingly good revenge-horror romance, while IndieWire says the film’s ambition does not pay off.
The R-rated film tells the origin story of Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is badly scarred by a mobster.
Hagen turns to scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr, whose experimental serum temporarily repairs his face.
The serum’s effects and Hagen’s pursuit of revenge drive the story.
James Watkins directed the film from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini.
- Who
- Matt Hagen, played by Tom Rhys Harries, is the central character; Naomi Ackie plays scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr.
- What
- Clayface” is an R-rated body-horror film and origin story about an actor who seeks treatment for facial scars and pursues revenge.
- When
- The reviews were published on October 21, 2026. The film’s release date is Not stated.
- Where
- The story is set in Gotham City.
- Why
- Hagen seeks help after a mobster carves his face, while the serum’s effects and his desire for revenge drive the plot.
Associated Press reviewer
IndieWire reviewer
Overall assessment
Associated Press reviewer
The film is a surprisingly good revenge thriller-romance and a crowd-pleaser.
IndieWire reviewer
The film’s ambition does not pay off, and it confounds more than it compels.
Style
Associated Press reviewer
Its low-budget feel, practical effects and mix of genres are appealing.
IndieWire reviewer
Its grim, gory body horror takes big swings, but the film’s story falters in its second half.
A mobster carves Matt Hagen’s face after Hagen becomes involved with the mobster’s girlfriend.
Hagen turns to scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr, who injects him with an experimental stem-cell serum.
The serum temporarily repairs Hagen’s face, but its effects prove unstable.
Hagen pursues revenge as Corr tries to stabilize the experiment.
- Director
- James Watkins
- Screenplay
- Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini
- Matt Hagen
- Played by Tom Rhys Harries
- Dr. Caitlyn Corr
- Played by Naomi Ackie
- Setting
- Gotham City
- Review publication date
- October 21, 2026
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What people are saying
My life is over
This business is all surface
There’s so many of you. It must be hard to find the real Matt Hagen.