#REVIEW: “CLAYFACE”

By Mr. Will Wong

Based on the DC Comics Gotham Noir series and series of characters, CLAYFACE is a successful big screen adaptation for the giant.

This Film, directed by James Watkins, with a Screenplay by Mike Flanagan, centers on Mike Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), an up-and-coming Hollywood actor whose face is disfigured horribly by a crime boss.  He seeks the help of a Scientist to get medical treatment, but his body is transformed into clay-like substance where he can transform into others.  With this superpower, he seeks revenge on said crime boss.

Something about CLAYFACE feels like it is set in the future, though it also feels in the past, making it feel in ways like another DC success, JOKER (2019) in that they look at the underdog, while taking a Psychological Body Horror approach. They also have a similar saturated look and grit. And that is a great frame of reference.

This is an excellent introduction for many to the work for Welsh star Rhys Harries who like his character, shows range and agility, taking us into the mind of someone dealt such bad cards that nothing really matters anymore and at once, there is completely nothing to lose. He very easily could lead here what could be a beloved franchise for Clayface. But above this, the fluidity by which the story is told as Mike transforms so quickly and seamlessly into others is a thing of awe. Clayface isn’t just one character, it is a litany of them.

Definitely worth a watch. This is the film that DC fans deserve.

Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release CLAYFACE in theatres October 23, 2026.

 

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