Beauty is a beast in DC’s latest villain origin story Clayface

Gotham City has a new monster, and this one has a particularly nasty origin story. DC’s Clayface takes one of Batman’s most recognizable villains back to the beginning. With a screenplay from horror virtuoso Mike Flanagan — fresh off his reimagining of Stephen King’s Carrie — the film also gives us another look at the universe taking shape around Robert Pattinson’s The Batman and David Corenswet’s Superman. This time, though, the nightmare is a little more… personal.

The plot: Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is an aspiring actor on the rise whose career takes a brutal turn after he gets caught up with the girlfriend of Gotham mob boss Markos Szabo (David Dencik). An attack leaves his face horribly disfigured, his career in ruins, his bank account drained, and his future looking bleak. Desperate to get his life back, Matt turns to Dr. Caitlyn Corr (Naomi Ackie), a scientist working on experimental nanotechnology. The treatment restores his face, but the results come with a rather monstrous catch.

What we liked: Harries gives a standout performance. As Matt’s grip on reality begins to slip, he captures the anguish and fury of a man watching his identity disappear. Even as his face changes, his performance keeps the character’s humanity in plain view, making his transformation all the more tragic. Flanagan also gives the story a compelling emotional backbone. Clayface takes its time tracing Matt’s descent into madness, giving this origin story enough room to make its central character more than just another Gotham villain. Ackie also adds an intriguing and emotional edge as Caitlyn, whose scientific curiosity and questionable judgment help set the horror in motion.

What we didn’t: The body horror certainly commits to the bit. The film’s gruesome practical effects and bloody sequences might appeal to horror fans, but some scenes push the gore so far that they had our stomachs turning and made it difficult to keep our eyes on the screen.

Our verdict: Clayface makes for a gripping, occasionally stomach-churning addition to DC’s roster of villains. Harries gives Matt Hagen a tragic edge that makes his transformation all the more unsettling while bringing a distinctly gruesome touch to Gotham. The gore can be excessive, but there’s plenty to keep viewers hooked. Just be prepared to look away a few times.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can catch Clayface at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and City Center Alexandria. The film is also screening at Stars Cinema (City Stars), Scene Cinema (Cairo Festival City and District 5), and Premiere Cinemas (Cima Arkan and P90). Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 2:25).