HallowScream - Clayface (2026)

       Hey guys, Chuck here. And, I just got back from seeing DC Studios' new film Clayface, directed by James Watkins, and starring Tom Rhys Harries, Naomi Ackie, Max Minghella, and Eddie Marsan. 

      Set in Gotham City, Clayface follows Matt Hagen, a rising actor who volunteers for an experimental procedure to fix his disfigured face, only to discover his body has become remade into one made of living clay, and he himself is becoming a polymorph capable of changing his body into anything or anyone. 

        Now, I will say that while Clayface has elements of body horror due to Matt's newfound abilities, the film itself is more of a tragedy. We see Matt go from being on top, to being on the bottom because of his disfigurement, to using his new abilities to get even with those who wronged him. But, while it's easy to empathize with him, it's not done to the point where we don't eventually want to see his be stopped by Batman. And, yes, this will be the version of Clayface that may very well go up against the DC Universe's version of Batman. 

        Acting wise, Tom Rhys Harries was excellent as Matt Hagen, as was Naomi Ackie as Caitlyn Corr, the doctor whose experimental procedure gave Matt his abilities. Max Minghella, who was thoroughly entertaining in the film Spiral with Chris Rock, also stars as Gotham detective John Borelli, who stands out as one of the few decent cops in Gotham. David Dencik was genuinely despicable as Gotham crime boss Markos Szabo, while Eddie Marsan was thoroughly slimy as Frank Fitzpatrick. 

         As far as DC Studios' teo movies in 2026, I would argue that Clayface is the overall better of the two, as it seems like director James Watkins and co-writer Mike Flanagan had a genuine story to tell with an underrated Batman villain. Don't get me wrong, I still had fun with Supergirl back in June, but I feel that that was more of a movie the studio wanted to make, while this is a story the filmmakers wanted to tell. And, I thoroughly enjoyed it for its tone, its atmosphere, and the start differences between locations like Gotham and Coast City. And, with that, I definitely recommend checking out Clayface if you're a fan of DC Comics. 

        Alright guys, that's a wrap on yet another HallowScream. This is Chuck signing off, and I'll be back on Monday with my review of Rent. 

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