The Iron Claw

By: Jamie Steinberg

When I was growing up my father worked for World Championship Wrestling (“WCW”) and I was always surrounded by famous wrestlers. Yet somehow, I was not familiar with the story of the Von Erich family. The Iron Claw tells the origin story of this famed wrestling family and the tragedies that befell the brothers as their stars in the industry rose.

We begin the film in 1963 when patriarch Jack (Holt McCallany) is wrestling as German villain Fritz Von Erich. He wears an Iron Cross on his uniform and his signature move was “The Iron Caw,” which is a grip that he applies to an opponent’s head. This became the Von Erich brand and something that he passed along to his sons. We fast forward to the boys having grown up and Kevin (an insanely buff Zac Efron) has clearly become Fritz’s second favorite son – something Kevin is determined to change for the better. Kevin actually narrates the film, initially delivering the throughline of the movie with, “Ever since I was a child people said my family was cursed. My mother tried to protect us with God while my father tried to do the same with wrestling.” From here we explore the brothers’ relationships with one another and watch as each Von Erich boy becomes a wrestling star.

Director Sean Durkin does an exceptional job of engaging viewers and making this movie more about family than it is about highlighting the sport of wrestling. Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich just astounds as you see the toll that the mounting pressures take on him. Efron certainly does a good job, as always, of playing the good-hearted leader. However, all the brothers tend to cower at Jack’s feet – a sign of someone eager to please a long-term abuser. It’s all about getting their father’s approval.

Yes, there are some areas of the Von Erich family omitted. Keep in mind, to tell this large of a tale would need to be edited down in order to keep film timing constraints involved. Regardless, the Oscar buzz surrounding this movie and those who act in it is absolutely warranted. I thoroughly recommend going to see The Iron Claw for the entertainment, the emotion, the legacy and the reminder to cherish the ones you love.