What is the function of the Liquify filter in Photoshop?

The Liquify filter in Photoshop is primarily used to distort and reshape images. It allows users to manipulate the pixels of an image interactively, providing tools such as the Forward Warp, Pucker, Bloat, and many others. This enables artists and designers to push, pull, rotate, reflect, pucker, and bloat the pixels of the selected area, creating a wide variety of effects, from subtle adjustments in portraits to more artistic alterations.

This capability is particularly valuable for tasks such as retouching images of people, allowing for modifications to body shapes or facial features in a non-destructive manner. The Liquify tool provides a flexible and creative way to alter the image without the need for more complex editing methods. Thus, its function centers squarely on the ability to distort and reshape, making it an essential feature in the retouching and digital art processes.