My quick rating – 7.1/10. The Iron Claw is a haunting and emotionally charged look at one of professional wrestling’s most tragic dynasties—the Von Erich family. Director Sean Durkin brings both reverence and rawness to this dramatization of the brothers’ rise in the wrestling world and the heartbreaking losses that followed. For fans like me who lived through their heyday on UHF stations (look it up kiddos) or saw their names in tragic headlines, this film is both a love letter and a gut punch.
At its core, this is the story of four brothers—Kevin, David, Kerry, and Mike—whose lives revolved around the ring, all under the intense pressure and expectations of their domineering father and coach, Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany). The performances across the board are exceptional, but it’s Zac Efron who truly stuns as Kevin, the emotional anchor of the film. Efron brings such depth to the role that you feel every hit, physical or emotional, that life throws at him. His portrayal carries an authenticity that surprised me, as I was used to seeing him in lighter fare.
The film does an excellent job of capturing the era. We see the sweat-drenched gymnasiums, the half-full arenas, and the relentless physical and emotional toll of the business. There’s a dedication here to portraying how the brothers lived and breathed wrestling. It’s not just their career—it’s their identity. Yet, amid the cheers and championship belts, a suffocating darkness looms. The Von Erich story has long been synonymous with tragedy, and Durkin doesn’t shy away from showing how it stalked this family like a shadow. As a fan growing up, I was constantly wondering when the next Von Erich was going to pass away.
However, for all its strengths, The Iron Claw makes one glaring omission that cannot be ignored. This is the complete erasure of Chris Von Erich. As the youngest brother, Chris idolized his siblings and even stepped into the ring despite significant physical limitations. His struggles and ultimate death were pivotal pieces in the larger family tragedy, especially considering it occurred shortly before Kerry’s demise. The decision to leave him out baffles me, particularly in a story that hinges entirely on the weight of brotherhood and familial grief. It’s a disservice to both the audience and the reality of the Von Erichs’ story.
The film also only briefly touches on Jack Jr., the first to die in a freak accident as a child. It’s another example of how certain painful truths are skirted in favor of a more streamlined narrative. But what remains is still powerful: a family trying desperately to find peace and pride under a patriarch who believed toughness was the only way to survive.
The Iron Claw is undoubtedly a must-watch, especially for those who followed wrestling in the ’80s or have an interest in tragic true stories. It’s a beautifully acted and emotionally draining film, but its refusal to acknowledge the full scope of the family’s suffering leaves a noticeable hole in an otherwise powerful tribute. It’s a great film—just not a complete one.
