the SUPER: CLAYFACE Review — A Good Clayface Trapped In An Average Movie (Plus, Is There An After-Credits Scene?)

DC Studios’ Clayface has the ingredients for a compelling character-driven horror film, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Despite some effective body horror, strong lead performances, and a genuinely good central character, the film struggles to feel cinematic, suffers from one-dimensional villains, and takes a while to find its footing. It’s not a disaster, but it’s far from the standout DCU entry I was hoping for.

One of the biggest issues with Clayface is that it feels more like a streaming movie than a theatrical experience. There’s very little about the film that feels particularly cinematic, and Gotham City itself doesn’t help matters. Rather than feeling like a living, breathing city with a distinct identity, Gotham comes across as largely devoid of character. Then again, perhaps that fits with the overall aesthetic of this new DCU.

Thankfully, the lead performances are a major saving grace. Tom Rhys Harries does an excellent job as Matt Hagen, keeping the film engaging even when the story falters. Honestly, Harries saves this movie with his acting. Naomi Ackie is also good as Dr. Caitlin Bates, and the two share solid chemistry that gives their relationship some much-needed heart.

I particularly enjoyed how the film explores the life of an actor, showing both the highs and lows of the profession. The pursuit of fame, the pressures of the industry, and the emotional toll of trying to make it all provide an interesting foundation for Matt Hagen’s story. These elements give the film something meaningful to say, even if the execution doesn’t always live up to the potential.

Unfortunately, the villains are a significant weak point. They feel one-dimensional, lacking the complexities needed to elevate the conflict beyond basic B-movie territory. For a film centered on a interesting character, the antagonists feel disappointingly generic.

The editing also gets off to a rough start. The opening portion feels choppy and disjointed, with scenes that don’t always flow naturally into one another. It does improve as the film progresses, but the early editing is distracting enough to make you wonder whether scenes were cut or if this was simply a creative decision. Either way, the opening stretch could have benefited from a more cohesive approach.

There’s also a bizarre dance sequence in a club that completely took me out of the movie. It feels out of place and awkwardly inserted.

Where Clayface does succeed, however, is with its body horror. The film isn’t afraid to get bloody, and some of the transformations and gruesome moments are genuinely uncomfortable to watch. There were points where I found myself squirming in my seat, which is exactly what you want from a body-horror film. The violence is effective, and the movie earns some points for being willing to get messy.

That said, don’t go into this film expecting a terrifying horror experience. Outside of a couple of effective jump scares, the film isn’t particularly scary. Its strengths lie more in the disturbing imagery and physical discomfort of its body-horror sequences than in building tension or dread.

Interestingly, the film gets better as it goes along, with the ending scenes being the strongest part of the entire experience. Despite my issues with the film as a whole, I came away feeling that Clayface himself was handled well. Harries’ performance gives the character enough presence and tragedy to make me interested in seeing more of him.

And that’s perhaps the biggest positive to take away from the movie. While Clayface didn’t completely work for me, the character has real potential within the DCU. I’d love to see him return, particularly if it means putting him up against Batman. That confrontation could be very compelling, especially if the filmmakers build on what works here and give the character a stronger story.

Ultimately, Clayface is a mixed bag. Strong performances, effective body horror, and a promising lead character are held back by a lack of cinematic flair, bland world-building, weak villains, and some questionable creative choices. The film isn’t great, but it isn’t terrible either. It lands somewhere in the middle.

While I would have liked a stronger film overall, I hope this isn’t the last we see of Tom Rhys Harries as Clayface. The character deserves another shot in a supporting role, preferably in a Batman or DC Villains team-up movie.

Final Grade: C

Does CLAYFACE have an after-credits scene?

No. Clayface does not have an after-credits scene. You don’t need to stick around through the credits expecting an extra scene or a tease of what’s next in the DCU. That said, it’s always good to stay and show some appreciation for the talent who brought the film to life.