I haven't watched a superhero film since 2018. Between Marvel and DC's offerings, I couldn't keep watching the same formulaic stories, dull cinematography and unbelievable animation. So I didn't RSVP yes to the media screening of 'Clayface' without some hesitation. It would end my absence from the superhero genre - but it would prove itself worthy of being the film that broke the boycott.
Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries, TV's 'White Lines' and 'Suspicion') has a power few can fathom - fame. This rising star has scored his first Academy Award nomination, is conquering the stage and screen, and has a growing fanbase. But that popularity turns to notoriety after spending a night with Theresa (Ruby Sear, TV's 'The Gentlemen') - who turns out to be the girlfriend of mob boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik, 'A Royal Affair', 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy'), and seeks revenge by severely mutilating Matt's pretty face. Out of work and embroiled in scandal, he turns to fringe researcher Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie, 'Mickey 17', 'Blink Twice'), who may be the only one who's able to save his career. But after everything Matt's endured, is that really what he wants with his newfound looks?
'CLAYFACE' FINAL TRAILER
DC ran into a massive problem after the immense success of Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight Trilogy': it attempted to emulate the look and style of films that followed too closely, but without Nolan's masterful touch. Trying to copy and paste that specific aesthetic inevitably led to the reboot of the DCEU (2013 - 2023) into the DCU we know today. Ironically, the way 'Clayface' moves and feels may be the closest sibling to the 'Dark Knight' it's produced to date, and all while least trying to. It's dark (visually a little less grungy), confronting in a way we haven't seen since 'The Dark Knight', and it offers legitimate character development without ending in world-weariness or redundancy.
This is helped by the fact that director James Watkins ('Speak No Evil', 'Bastille Day') doesn't play by the rules of superhero movies; here, introducing horror elements into the mix and earning the film an MA15+ rating in Australia. The intense splicing and dicing make it hard to watch at times, even for a dedicated horror fan. Nonetheless, it's all in service of the story, either to break Matt down and strip him of everything he had, or rebuild him into something new, a haunting mirror image of what once existed.
We've now seen countless superhero origin stories on the big screen, so to see one for a villain is a refreshing twist. Not only that, but the script walks a fine line between making Matt a traditional protagonist and antihero, never really seeing revenge as an option until the first blood is spilt. The build-up to this, however, is constant evolution; Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini's 108-minute screenplay flies by as we learn about the scientific leaps Matt is enduring.
The script introduces the idea that, as an actor and then as a person, there are many versions of Matt Hagen - so which is true and original? Rhys Harries wears each mask well, showing nuance and control as his character's personality revolves, all the while still managing to make the pieces cohesive.
Tom Rhys Harries brings that to life convincingly, capturing the many facets of this complex character. He's handsome and has a boyish grin, but Matt isn't the most likeable character; he always finds a way to navigate the moral grey area, and Rhys Harries balances his inadequacies with charisma and charm. The script introduces the idea that, as an actor and then as a person, there are many versions of Matt Hagen - so which is true and original? Rhys Harries wears each mask well, showing nuance and control as his character's personality revolves, all the while still managing to make the pieces cohesive.
He's helped immensely by the great casting around him, none more so than Naomi Ackie as Matt's doctor and saviour. She feels least as though she's performing in a superhero movie, showcasing her own brand of gravitas and humanity. She's paired well with fiancé and straight cop John, played by Max Minghella ('Spiral: From the Book of Saw', 'The Social Network'). Quite the opposite to Ackie, he leans heavily into the genre, becoming the perfect detective to combat Gotham's criminal vermin.
There are, of course, faults that are beyond obvious. Syringes the length of your hand being injected into cheeks. Matt choosing to reveal himself at the nightclub but no sign of him on the security cameras. These are minor issues that can be overlooked because of the film's overall quality and enjoyment.
At face value, this might seem like just another superhero film with the addition of horror elements, but it delivers so much more. Using its clever take on the origin story, we finally get a villain's tale we deserve. 'Clayface' is undoubtedly one of the most visceral superhero films we've ever seen on the big screen.