Euronews Culture's Film of the Week: 'Clayface' – Gloopy, gruesome, but not quite great

Clayface, a film blending superheroes and horror, aims to explore a lesser-known Batman villain's transformation into a grotesque monster. Welsh actor Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, a rising actor whose life takes a dark turn after a knife-wielding mobster disfigures his face. Seeking to regain his career, Matt turns to Dr. Caitlyn Corr, a nanotechnology scientist who injects him with a controversial experimental serum.

The results are promising initially, but soon lead to horrific side effects and a violent, revenge-driven spiral.

The film offers a grim and gory origin story, utilizing practical effects and prosthetics to create visceral reconstructive surgery scenes. However, the script falls short in character development and exploring the thematic potential of body horror. While Tom Rhys Harries' performance is commendable, the film's lack of depth in depicting the psychological impact of Matt's transformations leaves the narrative feeling somewhat superficial.

Director James Watkins, known for Eden Lake and Speak No Evil, settles for a predictable second act, which fails to capitalize on the initial promise of the project. Originally intended for Mike Flanagan, the director behind the Haunting of Hill House and Carrie, the script was overhauled and directed by Hossein Amini. This change appears to have affected the film's overall cohesiveness, with clunky dialogue and a forced romantic subplot detracting from the potential it had.

Despite its shortcomings, Clayface stands out as nastier and gorier than many recent blockbusters like Morbius, Madame Web, or Kraven The Hunter. However, it ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression due to its weak script and underdeveloped characters. The film is currently in cinemas, offering a unique, albeit flawed, viewing experience for those seeking a dose of horror mixed with superhero tropes.