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Tom Rhys Harries has landed his first major blockbuster lead in Clayface, a DC Comics horror film set in Gotham City. The 36-year-old Welsh actor plays Matt Hagen, a once-promising film star whose face is slashed and restored by a serum that allows him to morph his appearance at will.
From Rock Star to Gory Villain
Harries began his career playing rock stars and posh boys. His early role in Hunky Dory (2011) earned praise, with Screen International calling him a potential star. He later starred in Mojo, where he was likened to an ’embryonic Elvis’ by The Guardian’s Michael Billington.
Now, in Clayface, he portrays a man whose face is violently damaged and then restored through a scientific serum. The film’s most infamous scene—his eyelids melting and him using nail scissors to remove the goo—is described by Harries as the film’s ‘tipping point of ickiness’.
Why This Role Matters
Clayface is a departure from traditional superhero films. It leans into horror, drawing comparisons to Darkman and The Substance. The film explores themes of identity, vanity, and trauma—elements Harries says he doesn’t personally connect to.
‘I’m not interested in the vanity of it,’ he says. ‘My looks just happen to be an aspect of my work.’
Personal and Professional Journey
Harries has ADHD, which he credits for helping him focus intensely on roles. ‘If I’m interested in something, I will hyper-fixate on it,’ he says. This trait helped him succeed in drama school and later in roles that demanded deep emotional commitment.
His early struggles in school led him to believe he needed to prove himself. ‘It’s about repaying those people,’ he says, referring to teachers and mentors who supported him.
Behind the Scenes: The Three-Month Audition
Harries spent three months auditioning for the role. He admitted he didn’t stay sane during the process. ‘I didn’t,’ he says. The film’s grim tone and grotesque effects were a challenge, but he sees it as a necessary evolution in superhero cinema.
The film is set in a genre facing fatigue. Recent releases like Supergirl and Joker: Folie à Deux have underperformed. Harries believes Clayface could offer a bold shift.
What to Watch For
While the film’s special effects are central, Harries emphasizes the emotional depth of his performance. The story centers on rage, vulnerability, and trauma—elements that may resonate beyond genre fans.
Harries remains hopeful. ‘It’s about trying to do something different in a space that’s asking for that,’ he says. ‘The medium needs a shake-up.’
Despite studio caution after recent missteps like Digger and the Warner Bros-Paramount merger, Clayface represents a risk. Its success will depend on audience willingness to embrace a darker, more grotesque take on superhero storytelling.
Harries’ performance—marked by a Bowie-esque alien quality and a defiant presence—may be the film’s most compelling element. His journey from a young actor to a leading man in a horror-comic film reflects a broader shift in how stories are told in cinema.
For fans of genre films, Clayface is a bold experiment. For those wary of body horror, it may be a turning point of discomfort. Either way, it’s a film that refuses to play it safe.
- Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen in Clayface.
- The film features a scene where his eyelids melt and are snipped with nail scissors.
- It draws comparisons to Darkman and The Substance.
- Harries has ADHD and credits it for his focus and intensity.
Clayface is available on Warner Bros. Pictures. For more on the film, see the original source at The Guardian.
