Clayface review: DCs gory and grotesque body horror movie would scar kids for life

Running time: 108 minutes.Rated R (strong bloody violence, gore, language and some nudity).

In theaters.Things have been rough for DC Studios lately. “Supergirl” tanked a few months ago.Last year’s “Superman” was a modest hit, albeit an enjoyable one, but it didn’t attract the sky-high interest that a tentpole should.

I suspect a lot of people still don’t know who David Corenswet is.So it’s no wonder with its fun new “Clayface” that the now-Skydance-owned division is spiritually looking back to its last movie to gross more than $1 billion — “Joker.” The acclaimed 2019 Joaquin Phoenix film chose “Taxi Driver” as its inspiration instead of rigidly sticking to tired comic-book mythology.The movie didn’t connect to any confusing “universe.” And its genre was psychological thriller instead of action. “Clayface” won’t be taking in $1 billion or getting a Best Picture nod.

The Joker is one of the best foes of all time; Clayface was ranked No.73 on IGN’s list of comic book villains.

I thought he was a skincare mask.But this delightfully disgusting flick also walks its own sick path.It’s assuredly horror — the genre audiences crave the most right now.

Specifically this is body horror, similar to “The Substance” with Demi Moore or an organs-galore David Cronenberg film.It’s gross.

In a fun way! That means we witness, in gnarly closeups, Matt Hagen’s pretty face gruesomely sliced open, some exposed bone here and there, long needles inserted near the eye sockets, buckets of blood and a lot of other stomach-churning sights.Don’t bring the kids, unless your kid is the type you wouldn’t trust around a chipmunk.Director James Watkins’ swift and grotesque movie combines a few Clayface origin stories, but it hews closest to that of Basil Karlo, an envious B-list actor who goes on a murderous rampage. The filmmakers pair that glam Hollywood trade with the less-cheesy name of another variation, Matt Hagen, and l...