CLAYFACE Movie Review: A Gripping and Disturbing Superhero Horror Film

CLAYFACE Movie Review

CLAYFACE is a gripping and disturbing superhero horror film directed by James Watkins. The film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, a rising Hollywood actor from Gotham City's Narrows neighbourhood who earns an Academy Award nomination. After an interview with TV host Vic Chissler (Rob Brydon), Matt visits a nightclub and meets Mia Torrez (Joana Ribeiro). Despite a warning from his friend Corey Bowery (Joshua James) that Mia is the girlfriend of mob boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik), Matt sleeps with her in his hotel room.

When Matt wakes up, Markos and his gang members carve up his face in revenge. Following six unsuccessful surgeries, Matt remains disfigured. Mia alleges to the press that Matt forcibly took her to his room, and neighbours malign his character. After losing a legal case against Markos due to a bribed jury and negative publicity, Matt loses his money and his agent, forcing him to return to his old house in the Narrows. He then approaches Dr Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), a nanotechnology pioneer, who agrees to help him using a cellular regeneration treatment.

The story is written by Mike Flanagan, with a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini. James Watkins' direction handles the character arc superbly, with innovative use of gore. Tom Rhys Harries delivers a terrific performance, supported by Naomi Ackie, Joshua James, David Dencik, Joana Ribeiro, Rob Brydon, Eddie Marsan, Max Minghella, and Corey Johnson. Technical aspects include music by Volker Bertelmann, cinematography by Rob Hardy, costumes by Keith Madden, production design by James Price, VFX, and editing by Jon Harris.