Goodbye, Clayface: This Peacock Superhero Thriller Is Even Better Than You Expect

A scientist becomes Darkman

Peyton Westlake, played by Liam Neeson, is a kind-hearted scientist working to perfect synthetic skin. His lawyer girlfriend, Julie, portrayed by Frances McDormand, becomes entangled with criminal Robert G. Durant, played by Larry Drake.

Durant and his crew attack Peyton’s laboratory, disfigure him and leave him presumed dead. Peyton uses the equipment that remains to continue his research, while his hospital treatment leaves him stronger and unable to feel pain. He sets out to confront the men responsible, even as he changes in other ways.

Raimi’s comic-book monster

Directed by Sam Raimi after Evil Dead 2, Darkman combines comic-book energy with the isolation associated with classic Universal monsters. Its visual style includes tilted camera angles and stylized action, alongside humor that can be dark or deliberately silly.

The film’s pulpy, campy approach lets Raimi lean into moments other filmmakers might avoid. Peyton’s synthetic skin lets him impersonate other people, giving the story an obvious connection to Clayface, even as the films take different paths.

Two paths toward vengeance

Both Peyton and Matt Hagen begin as sympathetic men who want to escape rejection tied to their appearance and recover what they have lost. Peyton hopes to reclaim a future with Julie; Matt wants his career and credibility back.

Their abilities come from different sources. Matt’s are granted through a scientific treatment, while Peyton relies on his own work and must contend with synthetic skin that deteriorates after 99 minutes. The difference shapes how each approaches revenge and responsibility.

Matt learns he can impersonate anyone and act without consequences, eventually killing people who have wronged him. Peyton, by contrast, has to plan around the limits of his creation and reflect on his choices as he pursues vengeance.