Early reactions to Clayface applaud a pure body horror film

The new DC film, directed by James Watkins and partly written by Mike Flanagan, impressed early audiences with its gore scenes, visceral horror and overtones of gothic romance.

Be careful, this is not a DC film like the others.

The first reactions to Clayface have fallen and the new film from the universe of James Gunn seems to have decided not to spare the spectators anything.

Described as “monstrously awesome” (freakishly awesome) or even a superhero film “loaded with brutal scenes“, this horrific thriller promises a particularly bloody dive into body horror. Directed by James Watkins, to whom we owe Speak No Eviland co-written by Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill Housethe film stars Tom Rhys Harries as Matt Hagen, an actor disfigured by a local underworld boss, whose transformation leads him to become Clayface, one of Batman’s iconic adversaries.

On the Collider side, enthusiasm is there. The media described the film as “a great addition to the DCU”which can be enjoyed without any prior knowledge of the DC universe. He especially emphasizes his violence: “It’s R-rated cinema, with brutal scenes that really surprised me. The audience let out several screams during the screening at what was happening on the screen.”

Critic Peter Gray also highlights the contrast between the aesthetics of the comics and the brutality of the result. The movie “has this touch specific to comics, which does not take away from its “brutality!” Dark, violent, with very little levity to counterbalance its darkness, it makes for an exciting addition to Gunn’s DCU. Harries infuses the role with equal parts youthful charm and quiet menace.“

The DCU Brief account talks about a horror film “excruciatingly violent, which sets no limits. It goes all the way in its grotesque imagery. Surprisingly, it is also funny. The film goes from a dark and depressing atmosphere to a wacky, colorful and absurd register. A welcome change in tone which proves that the DCU can do anything.“

Same enthusiasm from the reelmoviejunkie account, which presents Clayface as “one of the best horror films of the year”. The critic said he was particularly surprised by the way in which the film mixed horror and romance: “Warner Bros and DC have done a masterful job, and Mike Flanagan never disappoints with his scripts! Tom Rhys Harries is brilliant in this dark and macabre approach to the character for his move to the feature film! Greenlight a sequel, and quickly!”

Finally, ComicBook salutes a gory spectacle that brings Matt Hagen’s tragic story to life: “It’s an incredible film, which turns Matt Hagen’s tragic past into an extremely bloody spectacle. There are wildly original “body horror” sequences that will make you uncomfortable; But what I especially appreciated was how the work paid sincere homage to a bygone era, that of classic gothic romance films. The film succeeds so well in introducing Clayface that it would be a shame not to see him go up against Batman in the future. That said, don’t go there in the hope of meeting the Black Knight. Instead, go see Clayface for what it is: a disturbing and viscerally grotesque monster movie.”

Clayface will be released in cinemas in France next Wednesday.