This October, the highly anticipated movie, Clayface makes its cinematic debut. The body horror, which is based on the DC Comics character of the same name, focuses on an actor who is transformed into a shapeshifting villain when tragedy strikes.
Originating from Batman comics, and very much a fan-favourite foe, Clayface focuses on the story of Matt Hagen. In the movie, Hagen becomes disfigured, and in an attempt to restore his appearance finds himself in a much worse position.
Describing the movie, Warner Bros. Pictures said: “DC Studios’ “Clayface” is a horror thriller from director James Watkins, starring Tom Rhys Harries in the title role of the cult favorite villain from Gotham’s rogues gallery.
“Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when a local crime boss’s actions leave him horribly disfigured. Abandoned by his team and with nothing left, Matt seeks out a cutting edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self… but also unexpectedly affects his grip on reality, spiralling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.”
Based on a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, with Flanagan taking inspiration from the classic ‘Feat of Clay’ episodes from Batman: The Animated Series, Clayface is set to be a big release when it hits cinemas this month. Co-starring Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella, Eddie Marsan, Nancy Carroll and Joshua James, the film is set to attract a wealth of comic book fans, Batman fans, and horror fans, as well as curious cinema-goers, and of course should gain the attention of those who are obsessed with movies about comic book villains (Joker, Suicide Squad, etc).
But when Clayface makes its debut, who is the movie aimed at? For example, is Clayface suitable for teenage Bat-fans?
This is a comic book movie after all, and they tend to be aimed at the teen crowd, but will Clayface fall into this category? This is a body horror.
Let’s take a look at the Clayface rating to see how this one shapes up.
—
Clayface UK age rating
When Clayface arrives in UK cinemas it will be certified ‘18’ by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). The movie has received an ‘18’ certificate for “strong bloody violence (and) injury detail.”
In the UK, ‘18’ certificate movies are adult-only movies. Films with this certificate are deemed suitable for audiences aged 18 or over, with no exceptions.
No one under the age of 18 can view an ‘18’ certificate movie in a UK cinema. This means the majority of teenage comic book fans, or young Bat-fans, will not be able to see Clayface on the big screen.
This may come as quite a surprise to younger fans, as well as parents, because recent Batman-related films such as 2019’s Joker, 2020’s The Suicide Squad, 2020’s Birds of Prey: And the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, and 2021’s The Batman, all carried a ‘15’ certificate. And back in 2004, Catwoman was only a ‘12’.
But no, Clayface bucks the trend and as far as the BBFC is concerned the movie sets its sights firmly on adults only (18+). As such, if you have a teen in your household, who is 17 or below, they will have to wait until this one comes to home video – sorry.
—
Clayface US age rating
In the US, Clayface has been awarded an ‘R’ rating by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA). The film has received this rating for strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity and brief drug use.
Now, with this ‘R’ rating this is where things differ between the UK and the US. In the US, the ‘R’ rating means the movie is restricted, but that restriction isn’t as restrictive as you might think.
‘R’ ratings are generally given to movies which contain some adult material – but they aren’t necessarily deemed adult-only pictures. Young teens and even children can watch ‘R’ rated movies in a US cinema, as long as they adhere to one rule: Under 17s require an accompanying parent or adult guardian.
As such, a child of three could watch an ‘R’ rated movie in a US cinema, as could a 13-year-old. They simply need an adult in attendance.
So, why does the MPA have this somewhat limited restriction for restricted movies? Because the organisation believes it’s up to parents/adults to decide what is or isn’t suitable for their kids, using informed choices based on the information provided.
The organisation sets the ‘R’ rating to tell parents they should be cautious. But it doesn’t say they can’t decide for themselves.
So, when it comes to Clayface, while the movie is rated ‘R’ and therefore is deemed most suited to audiences aged 17 or over, younger audiences can watch the movie in a US cinema. It’s simply up to you to decide if they should.
—
—
Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about the age rating of Clayface. For more posts be sure to check out the recommended reads below.
Leave a Reply