• Director: James Watkins
• Screenplay: Mike Flanagan, Hossein Amini
• Story: Mike Flanagan
• Based on: Characters from DC
• Producer: Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn, Peter Safran
• Cast: Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan
• Cinematography: Rob Hardy
• Editing: Jon Harris
• Score: Volker Bertelmann
• Genre: Body horror psychological thriller
• Runtime: 108 minutes

We’re only three films into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s revived DC cinematic universe. The first two flicks were strong superhero diversions featuring Superman and Supergirl. This third picture, ‘Clayface‘, breaks the mould. It’s a genre film; a foray into body horror. It’s a bold choice; a risky move so early on in this cinematic universe. Not even the MCU has done anything such as this – and they’re 38 movies in and, more often that not, a moneymaker. They can afford to take a risk like this and be able to bounce back if it fails. Make no mistake – this is rated R. Not a movie for kiddies. Don’t go in expecting the good guys to be victorious. We’re in a moral grey area – there are no good guys here.

I’d say the gamble pays off. Out of the kiln comes something gruesome, splattery and grotesque. Away from the pristine, polished sheen of Superman’s Metropolis, we take our first trip to Gotham City. Under James Watkins’ trusted direction, the place is fully realised; the glitz and glamour of the nightlife, the seedy crime-ridden underbelly.

Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries), similar to the actor who plays him, is a star on the rise. Hagen has received his first Academy Award nomination. He’s on cloud nine and hasn’t a care in the world. He goes out to celebrate at a nightclub, ending up dancing with the moll of infamous gangster Szabo. The mobster has Gotham City in his pocket and isn’t too happy about the young stud waking up in bed with his girl. He teaches poor Matt a lesson. In a wince-inducing scene, Szabo and his associates carve Matt’s handsome face up with a scalpel, permanently scarring him.

“He ain’t pretty no more.”. Sad but true.

Matt is still alive – be thankful for small mercies. But he has no job, no future, no reason to be. He’s got feet of clay – his vanity gets the better of him. In a desperate bid to restore his former life (and visage), he turns to radical scientist Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie). She’s been experimenting with nanocells. A project of regeneration; of damaged bones, tissue and nerves. And with experimental treatment comes unfortunate side effects. Matt’s skin begins melting like a wax candle at inopportune moments, his face sagging uncontrollably. As he becomes more clay than man, he loses the essence of what it is to be human. Devolving into an unsightly monster, he enacts revenge against those who’ve wronged him.

Rhys Harries and Ackie flesh out their characters with great performances. ‘Clayface‘ is no slip nor does it potter along. It’s an experiment in its own right – a successful one.

My rating: 8 / 10