Clayface is DC’s first horror movie and the new DCU’s first look at Gotham City

As of Nov. 9, James Gunn’s DC Universe (DCU) released the studio’s first horror film, Clayface, following the release of HBO’s Lanterns.

I knew I had to see the film when it was announced as a fan of body horror movies.

I went into the movie with high hopes and left with my expectations met. Keep in mind, I am not very picky with movies and I’m not going to pretend to be a pretentious cinephile.

I was also excited to finally see a Batman villain other than the Joker being portrayed.

In my opinion, Clayface is an underrated Batman villain who doesn’t get enough screen time. I will admit, I had no previous knowledge about Clayface before watching the movie.

The movie follows Matt Hagen (played by Tom Rhys Harries), a promising actor, who gets into some trouble, leaving him with an unrecognizable face.

After going through multiple surgeries to fix his face, he discovers a scientist (played by Naomi Ackie) who may be able to help him. Hagen goes through with the treatment but soon finds out it’s not permanent and has extreme side effects.

After overdosing on the treatment, he finds himself being able to transform his body and, being the actor he is, can become anyone he wishes to be.

When watching the movie and seeing Hagen go through traumatizing events, I did feel bad for him, maybe his actions were justifiable, but by the end of the movie I realized he is actually crazy. I now love the character, not because I feel bad for him but because he became an amazing villain who, by the end of the movie, just cares about the role he is playing.

I know some people online were disappointed by the horror in the movie, but I think they expected to see something else. The movie, as it is described as body horror, gave you just that.

Watching the film was like looking at a car accident, where it’s so disturbing but you can’t look away.

I mainly got this feeling in the airplane scene, when the skin on his eyelids melted shut together. He goes to the bathroom to check it out, sticking his finger behind the skin to rip it and ends up cutting the skin with scissors. Even just describing it freaked me out.

While scrolling online I did see some fans didn’t like the lack of easter eggs and Batman references in the movie, but they would be unnecessary. It makes sense not to reference Batman since the movie takes place before Batman begins his journey.

Maybe it would make sense to tease a future Batman project, but they didn’t put any references because Batman isn’t part of James Gunn’s DCU yet, and some fans are still in denial that Matt Reeves Batman starring Robert Pattinson is not part of the new DCU (me included).

Not having any easter eggs referencing the characters from the other projects in the universe is a nice touch. It makes the movie feel more independent and not like you are watching any other superhero movie where many scenes reference something (hint, hint Marvel). I do not hate it though, I love Marvel.

Overall, I thought the film was amazing and did a really good job at telling a villain origin story without making you feel bad for the villain. It being a horror movie was also a nice change that I loved. If people say it wasn’t scary or that gory, they are all talk. I think the movie was a great and unique way to introduce Gotham City to the DCU.