Directed by “Speak No Evil” filmmaker James Watkins from a screenplay co-written by “The Haunting of Hill House” creator Mike Flanagan, “Clayface” stars Tom Rhys Harries as the DC Universe character and Batman adversary. Clayface is Matt Hagen, an actor whose face is disfigured by a local mob boss. Desperate, he volunteers as a test subject for scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), who transforms his body into clay and causes him to lose his sanity.
“‘Clayface’ was fantastic,” Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub wrote on X. “An awesome addition to the DCU that doesn’t require any knowledge of DC to enjoy. It’s hard R and loaded with brutal scenes that really surprised me. Audience freaked out a few times during my screening to what was being depicted on screen.”
Film critic Peter Gray added that it “has that comic book flair” but that doesn’t “diminish how BRUTAL it is! Dark, violent, with little levity to offset the nastiness, this is an exciting addition to Gunn’s DCU.” He added that Harries “brings equal boyish charm and quiet menace to the role.”
YouTuber Brandon Davis called the film “freakishly awesome” and praised Watkins for getting “creative with Clayface’s abilities.” He added that Harries “is a star” and “kills it.”
With a story by Flanagan and screenplay co-written by Flanagan and Hossein Amini, “Clayface” also stars David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan and is produced by “The Batman” director Matt Reeves alongside James Gunn and Peter Safran. It’s set to hit Australian cinemas via Warner Bros. on Oct. 22.
See all the first reactions below.
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
From Variety US