by ECI Released : 2026-10-23
Clayface is directed by James Watkins and stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen / Clayface and Naomi Ackie as Dr. Caitlyn Corr. Hagen is a rising actor whose life and career are derailed after a brutal attack leaves him disfigured. Desperate to restore his appearance, he turns to Corr, a scientist developing an experimental treatment. What initially offers him hope soon leads him down a much darker path.
Set in Gotham City and based on the DC Comics character, the film follows Hagen as he struggles with his changing body and sense of identity. Its horror-driven story offers a different perspective on the world of comic book adaptations, focusing on a man whose pursuit of his former life has unexpected consequences.
Clayface is one of the year’s biggest surprises, anchored by a star-making performance from Harries. He gives Hagen the presence the film needs, carrying the story as his character faces increasingly disturbing changes. His performance helps make the film more than a collection of effects or another familiar comic book origin story.
The main criticism is the pacing of the third act, which makes Hagen’s descent into madness feel rushed. More time spent developing that transformation could have made the final stretch even more effective. Even so, the film remains a strong example of what James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe can accomplish with lower-budget projects. It demonstrates that a superhero movie does not need a quarter-billion-dollar budget to succeed.
Clayface is an impressive comic book horror film and worth seeing at a drive-in near you.
