X
In Theaters Now
- 2023
- R
- 2 h 10 m
- 2023
- R
- 2 h 10 m
Summary The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
Directed By: Sean Durkin
Written By: Sean Durkin
In Theaters Now
- 2023
- R
- 2 h 10 m
- 2023
- R
- 2 h 10 m
The Iron Claw
73
7.8
Where to Watch
Summary The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
Directed By: Sean Durkin
Written By: Sean Durkin
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 Critic Reviews
73
82% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
18% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 Critic Reviews
73
82% Positive
31 Reviews
31 Reviews
18% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
No, you don’t have to be a fan of fake wrestling to appreciate “Iron Claw.” A love for classic Greek tragedy wouldn’t be misplaced, though.
It is so much more than just melodrama — it is myth-making on a grand yet intimate scale, a film that attempts to express a small sliver of the Von Erich legend, and beautifully does justice to Kevin’s personal journey.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 User Ratings
7.8
80% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
10% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
10% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 10 User Ratings
7.8
80% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
10% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
10% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
The Iron Claw, a movie about finding solidarity in a grim GRIM world of Professional Wrestling, is 2023's movie of the year.
Report
Durkin’s movie has its fair share of crucial moments in the ring, but none of them would land with a fraction of the same impact if not for the many crystalline little moments in which Kerry, Kevin, David, and Mike get to build each other up.
It’s a harrowing, visceral, poignant biopic that will surely make you shed a tear or two regardless of whether you knew the Von Erich story.
Durkin, a self-described wrestling fan from childhood, has managed to stuff a moving tribute to the art form and its practitioners into a two-hour feature. There’s just so much story to tell here.
There’s pleasure and meaning in the sons’ roughhousing and camaraderie, as well as beauty, heat and melancholy in their heartbreakingly fleeting physical perfection. Yet as the story’s uglier side emerges, Durkin hedges.
The Iron Claw's shallowness and eventual treacliness are especially disappointing.
A harrowing piece of media, but besides the awful tragedy, The Iron Claw shimmers glimpses of hope in a despondent environment. 5 stars in the Meltzer scale.
Report
Zac Efron headlines this familial drama based on a true story about the legendary Von Erich wrestling brotherhood (Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris ****, and Stanley Simons) as they try to carve a name for themselves in the ring under the supervision and immense pressure of their domineering father (Holy McCallany) throughout the 70s and 80s. I definitely had high hopes for this one upon seeing the trailers and the incredible transformation Efron and the rest of the actors playing his brothers made to get into fighting shape here. I also knew it was probably going to hit me pretty hard emotionally after doing a bit of research and learning more about the tragic backstory of the Von Erich family. Sure enough, not only was it all incredibly tense and compelling from start to finish, but the emotional chords it struck with me more and more throughout the final third or so of the film hit pretty hard. The wrestling matches and sequences throughout were all spectacularly put together and incredibly entertaining to watch, although the cinematography became a bit too shaky in these particular spots for my liking. The story and all scenes outside of the ring were compelling in their own right, as the Von Erichs' story is told with maturity and grace with just the right amount of brutal tension throughout. Performance-wise, Efron has truly never been better. His physical and emotional commitment here is plain as day to see, and he truly bears his all here like never before. As a matter of fact, there isn't a weak link here as far as performance is go, as Allen White ****, and Simons all commit to a genuine brotherly love with Efron and one another. Together, all of them carry the film perfectly. Even McCallany as their tough as nails ex-wrestler father Fritz Von Erich turns in a stone-cold performance of his own. Granted, there are a couple of moments and plot beats throughout that felt a bit predictable at times, as goes with most biopics, but the story, performances, and overall craftsmanship on display here easily outweighs that. Overall, absolutely solid performances all around, along with a brutal and compelling yet heartbreaking story make this one of the more impressive, memorable, and emotional family dramas to come around in quite some time.
Report
This is a very good movie if you're already interested in history from the territory days of wrestling. As expected, it isn't wholly accurate with some details being slightly changed or glossed over, and others being condensed in time.
The story of the Von Erich family is a tragic one, but behind it all is a surprisingly poignant message about the expectations placed upon men to suppress their emotions and put on a strong face, and the dangers that has.
Report
The Von Erich brothers were a quartet of pumped-up pro wrestlers in the early 80s (played by Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris **** and Stanley Simons working terrible period hair). Their insatiable competitive spirit was nurtured by their strict, domineering, unsympathetic father (Holt McCallany). His unflinching determination led the family to proud success and numerous misfortunes. As for performances, the actor/brothers create a solid, loving bond that cements the film's core, while writer/director Sean Dirkin keeps the narrative mostly dark and mean. The fight scenes are well-staged and brief, because this is not about the sport but about this dysfunctional family. The drama is constant, but despite their struggles, it seldom conveys much deep emotion, which makes their story more sad than tragic
Report
Production Company
A24,
Access Entertainment,
BBC Film,
House Productions
Release Date Dec 22, 2023
Duration 2 h 10 m
Rating R
Tagline Sons. Brothers. Champions.
Awards
National Board of Review, USA
• 2 Wins & 2 Nominations
Michigan Movie Critics Guild Awards
• 1 Nomination
St. Louis Film Critics Association, US
• 1 Nomination
