Clayface film explores body horror and identity loss

The film “Clayface,” directed by James Watkins, is a Warner Bros. thriller that utilizes the body horror genre to tell a story of transformation and revenge. Set in Gotham, the plot follows Matt Hagen, portrayed by Tom Rhys Harries, a rising Hollywood actor whose career is derailed after a facial disfigurement.

In a desperate attempt to restore his appearance and career, Hagen undergoes an experimental medical treatment. While the procedure initially appears successful, it leads to uncontrollable physical transformations, exploring themes of aesthetic violence and the loss of self-identity.