Director: Sean Durkin
Writer: Sean Durkin
Stars: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson
Synopsis: The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.
The first image we see of Sean Durkin’s The Iron Claw could make audiences think they stepped into a horror film. In the center of a cavernous warehouse is the looming specter of a wrestling ring, slowly being illuminated by the house lights. Gradually fading into the frame is a wrestler. It’s Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany), and as he is shown stomping and slamming his opponent to the ground, he has the presence of the ring centered within his mind. His family may be waiting outside to head home, but that ring, and all that occurs within it, will forever be at the forefront of his decisions. The persona that has been built within the famed “squared circle” is one that will both lift up and haunt not only the film, but the lives of the Von Erich family. While many elements of wrestling may rely largely on showmanship and performative gestures, the wide range of emotions present in Durkin’s film are deeply and truly felt throughout this painful story inspired by the Von Erich family.
As somebody who has always been semi-adjacent to the world of wrestling, I have always found myself admiring it from afar. With that being said, I had never heard of the Von Erich family prior to the film, which made the story all the more shocking. Before examining just how elegantly Durkin is able to capture the emotional intricacies of the family however, it feels essential to note a deeply fascinating technical element of the film. As written earlier, many aspects of the world of wrestling are staged. The athleticism is obviously impressive, and a lot of preparation goes into the fight choreography to make dangerous moments safer. But when it comes to the promo work or the character feuds, there’s a methodical approach taken to it all. It’s the part of wrestling that’s just as compelling as watching a man jump off the top rope to pin his opponent. One might even argue that it’s what truly captivates audiences. And Durkin, a clear fan and admirer of all things wrestling, is able to capture all the possible angles of what makes wrestling such an entertaining, and endearing, element of American culture.
During the filming of one particular promo, in which Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron) needs several takes to perfect his delivery, Durkin brings us into frame as if we’re watching the promo on television for the first time. From there, he brings us into the monitor of the cameraman. Finally, it’s as if we’re standing off to the side next to David Von Erich (Harris Dickinson). The Von Erich family is at the heart of all of The Iron Claw, but Durkin clearly wants to display to his audience just how much goes into, and specifically how much the Von Erich family gave, to the world of wrestling. Such a carefully tuned world requires a lot of perseverance and belief in the very system, and it’s essential to build up that belief early in the film. As faith begins to waver in Kevin for a variety of reasons, it creates inherent drama for the audience, and it pays off by the emotional finale. And that’s without mentioning how Durkin is able to capture the action within the ring!
Impressively, there’s an additional layer of facade present in The Iron Claw. Not only are we watching wrestling where the hits are clearly being thrown, but we’re aware that we’re watching a film. But every fight scene still has massive weight behind it. Yes, it helps to have an unbelievably built Efron and Jeremy Allen White on screen, but Durkin captures the action in a purely exhilarating manner. This is a film made by an unabashed fan of the sport, and visually, it’s made all the better for it. It’s equal parts gorgeous as well, with Durkin taking immense care to make sure the Von Erich brothers shine just as brightly outside of the ring.
While the film is mostly framed through Kevin and how he copes with the events that impacted his family, all the Von Erich brothers included in the film get a moment to shine. It should be mentioned that it does feel peculiar, and more than a bit misguided, to have completely cut one of the brothers, Chris, out of the story for time. Still, Durkin’s film depicts the familial bonds in such meaningful ways. The brothers’ love for each other really soars whenever they’re on screen together, and in the case of this film, they sometimes quite literally soar. It’s in their relationships that remind us what truly matters. For a film centered around a sport with such a layer of showmanship and facade built around it, The Iron Claw sheds a vital light on the dangers of internalizing emotions, and how that can have devastatingly real effects on a person.
Take, for example, Fritz Von Erich, the patriarch of the family. Initially, he seems to be a blunt individual who perhaps puts a bit too much pressure on his children. Going so far as to tell his own children where they stand in his rankings, it’s comical in the sense that he is a Texan who really lets his feelings be known, regardless of whose feelings may be hurt. But it immediately reminds us of what a paralyzing home this must have been. Ironically, Fritz is initially the most emotionally open of the Von Erich family, but not for the benefit of anybody other than his own ego. What seems like a father who just wants his children to be deeply successful is quickly shown to have become warped into something more upsetting. In a brilliant supporting performance from McCallany, we begin to see not a hopeful father and businessman, but an embittered man hoping to live out his glory days through his children. Every moment of success brought on by Kevin, Kerry, or David is taken over by their father placing himself in the spotlight, or by one of the many immense tragedies the family dealt with that stems back to the whims of their father.
Time and time again, The Iron Claw presents its audience with tragedy after tragedy. It would almost be inconceivable to believe until being reminded that this is a true story. But Durkin’s film doesn’t exist solely to upset its viewer. In fact, for all the pain that’s present in the film and in the history of the Von Erich family, The Iron Claw is one of the more touching and downright beautiful films to release this year. It questions, through a myriad of characters, how to cope with tragedy and unfathomable loss. And through this pain, the film reminds us of the importance of embracing those around us. Efron, with eyes that speak volumes, spends much of the film shying away from his wife, Pam (Lily James). While she does feel a bit underserved as far as screen presence goes given Kevin’s action, every moment with James on screen is a delight. When her and one of the Von Erich brothers share scenes, it’s a reminder of just how much life and charm was in these individuals. With a career-defining performance from Efron, this livelihood is fully felt and realized. The Iron Claw emphasizes the notion of cherishing those we have around us, as they’re what help us make it through any given day. And if and when they are no longer able to stand beside us, Durkin focuses on cherishing the memories we have with one another, and imagining a world free of pain, and beautifully filled with nothing but love. The Iron Claw depicts a hard and cruel world, both in wrestling and familial drama at large, but the sadness felt throughout this film is because of how well it depicts the clear, unambiguous love four brothers share with one another.
