Clayface (2026) – Movie Review
by LaTaeya Lane
Rating: ★★★½ / 5
Directed by James Watkins and produced by DC Studios and 6th & Idaho Productions, Clayface stars Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, and Eddie Marsan.
Clayface follows Gotham City’s high-profile actor Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), who is in the prime of his career as he copes with the aftermath of an arrogant decision that leaves him scarred, both physically and emotionally.
Desperate to reclaim his former life, Matt attempts to put the pieces back together through grueling plastic surgery procedures, but his efforts are unsuccessful.
After meeting a beautiful scientist, Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), who specializes in experimental tissue regeneration, Matt undergoes a risky, unauthorized procedure that changes him forever.
Over time, Matt realizes that with each day of treatment, he is getting closer to becoming the person he desperately wants to be, not realizing that his humanity has been altered in ways that make him a major threat.
Clayface’s tragic story can easily be compared to that of Harvey Dent, another of Gotham City’s tragic villains. However, the film still manages to establish its own identity, creating an intriguing foundation for further exploration of the character and his dark transformation.
The main cast held the film and story together, while Tom Rhys Harries did a great job portraying Matt Hagen’s gradual transformation into a formidable supervillain. His performance effectively captured the character’s emotional struggles and evolving villainous presence.
The special effects were horror-movie-worthy, adding a gruesome and disturbing visual element to the story. The on-screen chemistry between Tom Rhys Harries and Naomi Ackie was also adorable to watch, providing a touch of warmth and emotional connection amid the film’s darker moments.
Overall, Clayface delivers an interesting and tragic villain origin story with strong performances, impressive special effects, and enough intrigue to leave audiences wondering what comes next for this Gotham City supervillain.
I gave this film a solid 3½ out of 5 stars!
Check out the trailer below!
