An absolute heartbreaking exploration of brotherhood, forced restrictions of masculinity, and unbearable loss. Sean Durkin delivers a new tragic Americana classic that’s worthy of the Von Erich family. 

*This review contains brief spoilers for The Iron Claw. *

The Iron Claw was always going to be a heartbreaking watch, but what Sean Durkin pulls off is extraordinary as it is never manipulative despite all of the tragedy that unfolds for the Von Erich family. While Chris Von Erich, a sixth brother, was not included in the film, The Iron Claw honors the brothers and their legacy while exploring the horrors of just what their father enforced on them. Durkin’s careful hand over the story combined with the best ensemble of the year allow for a tale of tragedy to become one of the best films of the year. 

The black-and-white opening of the film introduces us to Fritz Von Erich (born Jack Barton Adkisson) in the ring and Holt McCallany insantly makes it clear Fritz is trapped in a grief he’ll never get over but he’ll forever fight. He tells his wife Doris (a brilliant Maura Tierney) and their young sons Kevin and Kerry that he will be the world champion, and nothing will hurt them ever again. He states it as a matter of fact and almost as a mantra the family has most likely heard over and over. The film jumps ahead to the mid-70’s where we follow the grown Von Erich boys where Fritz has moved on from physically being in the ring but has thrown most of his sons into it.

Kevin (Zac Efron), David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons) can’t get through breakfast without their father ranking his sons, and not for sport, just the manner in which he favors them. His favorite son is Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), who is off training for the summer Olympics. He quickly moves on to telling Mike, the youngest of the bunch, he needs to start thinking about his future and get to joining his brothers in the ring. Doris, always in the background, never flinches or reacts to the talk of the family business, but there’s a look in Tierney’s eyes you can always tell there’s a pain lingering. 

The Iron Claw allows audiences to see just what a family unit the Von Erich boys were. Once Kerry arrives home after the US bowing out of the Olympics, we see the boys all together at home. In the most Texan montages, we see them sneaking out to parties at UTD, floating in the river, and getting burgers while cruising the neighborhood in their truck, Durkin has a real appreciation and understanding of just what these boys were about. The bond of the brothers is palpable and if you know what is to come, your eyes can’t help but fill with tears knowing this bond won’t save them. 

We quickly move to the ultimate tag team in the ring with Kerry, Kevin, and David working as a family unit to become the best wrestling team in the business. The music in The Iron Claw is used not only to transport us in time but foreshadow the tragedy of the story. Eerily, Blue Öyster Cult’s ‘The Reaper’ plays as we follow the boys into the ring. Fritz has clearly changed his ranking again with David quickly moving up to the top spot. Efron and Dickinson have such beautiful chemistry that you can sense the love they have for each other, but also their pride in these moments. David is happy to earn the top spot but fears to upset his brother in taking that spot away from him. Kevin is worried about his place in the family and in wrestling; he struggles with his identity all internally through Efron’s emotive eyes. Just as Kevin loses his number one spot in the wrestling family business, he meets Pam (Lily James) and you can feel just how earnest Kevin is, almost as if he’s never spoken with a girl. She immediately bonds with the brothers and fits right in. Part of what I love about the way Pam is written is she’s not just the supportive partner figure, she fights Kevin to stand up for himself, but always stands her own ground. It’s easy to see why he wanted her in his life and why his brothers loved her, but his mother didn’t take to her right away. The two quickly get married and in one of the last happy moments is the brothers all dancing together having no idea what is to come next. 

The editing is brilliant as it guides us on a visual journey building tension and foreshadowing the tragedy always around the corner. Following Kevin and Pam’s wedding, and pregnancy announcement, it seems one tragedy after another for the Von Erich boys.  Durkin creates an atmosphere full of dread set amongst the idyllic Texan landscapes. You can feel the idea of the Von Erich curse hanging over Kevin through the tension captured on screen and in Efron’s eyes. Mátyás Erdély’s cinematography is breathtaking from watching Kerry walk in from the light in the Texan summer into the darkness of the family home to the visceral matches set in the ring. The wrestling sequences are gritty, primal, and full of tension. Durkin and Erdély work perfectly together to take audiences back to the 70s and 80s. The foreshadowing utilized throughout is so powerful from the early sighting of a boat dock to be brought back in one of the most breathtaking scenes towards the end of the film to family football matches carrying different meanings, Durkin knows just how to perfectly craft a full circle moment.

The ensemble in The Iron Claw is one of the best of the year. Each performance comes together to truly build one of the best portrayals of a family on screen. Efron delivers not just one of the best lead performances of the year but the best performance of his career. He’s always been a talented, charismatic screen presence but what he does in The Iron Claw is breathtaking. There is no Lead Actor lineup complete without him. Dickinson is incredible as the ever-conflicted David, full of love and admiration for his brothers, but falling victim to his father’s ploys. Tierney is heartbreaking as a mother caught up in the middle of her husband’s makings unsure of what to do next. She abides by her husband rules to show no emotion, but when she finally breaks, it’s impossible to not cry alongside her. 

Early on in the film, Fritz looks into his wife’s eyes and says, “It’s the only way to beat this thing,” While he never utters what the ‘thing’ is, throughout the film we know he means the Von Erich curse. Fritz never mentioning the death that follows their family, the grief that consumes them all, but his sons and wife watching him with eyes begging to allow tears to fall shows the audience just how consuming this man’s grips are on the family he runs. McCallany’s tight performance denies Fritz to have a moment of vulnerability or any affection for his family. 

While Fritz never allows his family to show emotion, when Kevin finally confronts his father, it’s when he finally is freed of the pressures, and maybe the curse of their family. The Iron Claw explores the implications of forced masculinity by a father who refuses to just love his family through understanding, affection, and warmth. Once Kevin finally breaks down and chooses to be with his chosen family who loves him unconditionally for who he is, tears and all, he’s free. 

The Iron Claw is an absolute heartbreaking exploration of brotherhood, forced restrictions of masculinity, and unbearable loss. The ensemble within the film shows us the true bond and power of a family while showcasing the art and performance of wrestling. Durkin delivers a new tragic Americana classic that’s worthy of the Von Erich family. 

Grade: A

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: Best Original Song
Should be Considered: Best Picture, Best Lead Actor (Zac Efron), Best Original Screenplay, Original Score, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing

Release Date: December 22, 2023
Where to Watch: In Theaters