The Iron Claw
Starring: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Lily James
Directed By: Sean Durkin
It’s 1980 and the Von Erich family are titans of wrestling. Kevin (Zac Efron), David (Harris Dickinson), and Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) fight in the ring together under their father Fritz Von Erich’s (Holt McCallany) brutal coaching. Youngest brother Mike (Stanley Simons) prefers a more artistic lifestyle that consists of music over wrestling. While Fritz will do anything to keep the family name relevant in the wrestling world, the brothers have an unbreakable bond. But they have a dark secret, a family curse dating back to the days of their grandmother plagues their family. Did they inherit the Von Erich curse? Or is it all superstition?
Directed by Sean Durkin, The Iron Claw tells the story of the Von Erich’s rise to stardom and tragic demise. Durkin centers the film on Kevin, which works really well from a narrative perspective. I knew nothing about professional wrestling or the Von Erich family going in to see The Iron Claw. I left the theater devastated by their story. Durkin makes the film very accessible to anyone who is familiar or unfamiliar with wrestling. This is a human story that you can connect to regardless of your wrestling knowledge.
The film is a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions delving into toxic masculinity in its most devastating form. The brothers are the picture of the American Dream, spending their afternoons together playing football and floating along a sun-soaked river without a care in the world. All they want is to spend their time together and grow up on their Texas ranch. Their father Fritz has other plans. Since his dreams couldn’t come true in the ring, he pressures each one of them to become a wrestling champion. Fritz pushes the brothers to extremes that aren’t healthy. While their mother Dorris (Maura Tierney) is silent and stoic.
There are so many tragedies in this movie. It got to a point that I couldn’t believe some of what I was watching. I figured the filmmakers were embellishing some of the story for dramatic effect. I was shocked when I came home to read the real story of the family was somehow more upsetting. The decision to omit Chris Von Erich (the youngest brother) from the film is a shame. For a story that prides itself on brotherhood so heavily, it seems a no-brainer that Chris would have been included. Chris’ story is deeply tragic and I realize the filmmakers felt a two hour movie could only handle so much tragedy. However, he should be included in his family’s story.
Don’t get me wrong, while tragic and shocking, Durkin balances the deeply emotional subject matter in a moving way. The last act of The Iron Claw contains some of the most affecting filmmaking I’ve seen this year. It is heartbreaking, haunting, and beautifully crafted.
In terms of performances, the cast is exceptional. This is an ensemble film that only works if the casting is on point. Thankfully it is with supporting actors like Lily James (the light of the film as Pam), Stanley Simons (heartbreaking as Mike), and Maura Tierney (the stoic Dorris) all turning in truly memorable performances.
All of the Von Erich’s have very believable brotherly chemistry (along with some questionable wigs.) Zac Efron is the soul of the film as Kevin in one of his most memorable acting roles to date. He is unrecognizable as the bulked up wrestling star who carries the burden of his family. He looks out for his brothers, even when he is unfairly cast into the shadows by his father. This performance should get Efron awards recognition.
Jeremy Allen White is the wild card of the family as Kerry Von Erich. Kerry was the most well known of the Von Erich family and his story is deeply emotional. He reaches the height of the wrestling world only to have it all come crashing down. White makes you feel thrilled for Kerry one second and devastated the next. It’s a layered performance exploring addiction, grief, and obsession.
Harris Dickinson is David, the Von Erich brother with undeniable stage presence and warmth. He shines with all of his time on screen. Dickinson is an underrated actor popping up in more and more in projects (Triangle of Sadness, Kingsman: The Golden Circle). He completely disappears into every role becoming the character brilliantly. I was impressed by his emotional performance as David.
Holt McCallaney is the stifling presence that looms over the film as Fritz Von Erich. He is intimidating even when not shown on screen. The brothers every move is dictated by their father’s decisions. He creates a maze of oppression that the Von Erich boys can’t seem to find their way out of. McCallaney plays Fritz with a stubborn will that is frightening to witness.
Led by fantastic performances and impressive direction, The Iron Claw is a devastating tale of brotherhood, generational trauma, and perseverance amidst tragedy.
My Rating: 8/10