CLAYFACE (2026) Review
Directed by James Watkins
Clayface succeeds in making me uncomfortable more than once. By taking a straightforward approach to the story it wants to tell, the film lets the body horror and tragedy speak for itself. It lands the punch Joker was aiming for: unapologetically gory, relentless, and impossible to shake off.
The movie’s graphic nature works so well precisely because of the subject matter. When dealing with a character whose body literally breaks apart and reshapes itself, the practical grossness fits the story naturally rather than feeling like shock value for its own sake. Honestly, the narrative is strong enough that the film could have worked even with a less explicit approach. But leaning into the gore was the right call, it turns a tragic character study into a far more exciting visual ride that keeps your eyes glued to the screen, even when you want to look away.
Origin stories don’t all have to follow a single template, but they do need to capture a character’s core. They need to show how life builds people up or tears them apart. This movie nails that dynamic.
That said, the film could have pushed its own premise further. By “fun,” I don’t mean lighter or happier. I mean leaning harder into Matt’s abilities and finding wilder, more creative ways to show what his powers can actually do. The tone is serious, but there was plenty of room to get more inventive with the shape-shifting. Maybe that gets saved for a sequel.
Newcomer Tom Rhys Harries might still be building his resume, but this movie proves he is someone to watch. His Matt is grounded yet unpredictable. You spend the whole runtime trying to figure out if he’s the hero or the villain, which keeps the viewing experience tense.
It’s a dark, rough character study, and it works.
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
‘Clayface’ is now showing in cinemas nationwide from Warner Bros. Pictures Philippines. Rated R-18 without cuts by the MTRCB.