With its underlying theme of our society’s vain obsession with appearance, Clayface is unafraid to take viewers to the edge of repulsion. The graphic depictions of both crimes and medical procedures are not easy to watch, but they’re very effective at setting the scene. This is adult filmmaking and might traumatise those unprepared.
Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is a Californian blonde and good-looking actor on the cusp of superstardom. He is kind to those around him and appears to have a good support structure surrounding him. When he falls afoul of mob boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik) and his moll Theresa (Ruby Sear) and is attacked, his life changes forever.
He is badly disfigured in the altercation and when traditional medicine is unable to help him regain his good looks, he turns to experimental medical scientist Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie). Corr provides an extreme solution, and this transforms both his body and mind into something very different. It gives Matt the ability to morph his appearance to mimic those around him.
The beauty-at-all-costs mentality (and industry), with its almost complete disregard for the actual health of the patient, is laid bare. And as Matt’s mind becomes more and more unhinged, the film becomes a cautionary tale. This version of the DC Universe is graphically and story-wise very bold and assertive. James Gunn and company are not playing nice anymore.
Rob Hudson
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