Written by Ally Abruscato. Photo courtesy of IMDb.
What might seem like a story about a family of wrestlers proves to be much more as “The Iron Claw” strikes the hearts of everyone who visited the theaters expecting a traditional sports biopic. The movie documents the true story of the Von Erich brothers, a famous set of wrestlers from the 1980s who were known for their father’s go-to move, the Iron Claw. But as tragedy continuously falls upon this Texan family, the viewer grows more connected to the seemingly cursed cast of characters.
Some people have named “The Iron Claw,” “‘Little Women’ for men.” This is high praise, especially for someone like me, who considers “Little Women” to be one of the best pieces of media ever made. However, I think “The Iron Claw” lives up to this description. The movie follows four brothers as they grow in their wrestling careers. The oldest, Kevin Von Erich, played by Zac Efron, dreams of nothing more than being the best wrestler there is and living a peaceful life with his brothers. However, it is his brother, Kerry, played by none other than Jeremy Allen White, who claims the beloved belt that Kevin pined for. Still, this victory does not create the utopia that the brothers imagined. Their younger brothers, Mike and David, face their own challenges in their wrestling careers and personal lives. Despite the strong bond among the family, they are faced with unsurmountable tragedies that even lead them to believe their family is cursed.
But the movie is not entirely about the uncontrollable tragedies the Von Erichs face. It also highlights the toxic situation they were born into, which breeds the unhealthy environment that causes so much unhappiness. The boys’ main goal is to follow in their father’s footsteps. Fritz Von Erich was a wrestler as the boys grew up, although he never reached the level he had hoped for. As a result, he forces his children into the sport, despite their natural desires for other fields. From the beginning, it is clear that Fritz fosters an abusive setting, considering he has no trouble ranking which children are his favorites and least favorites.
At its core, “The Iron Claw” is a heartbreaking tale of the camaraderie of brotherhood in the face of toxic masculinity. Despite the hardships they face, it is clear that there is nothing the Von Erichs brothers loved more than their brothers. The cinematography and editing was stunning in its representation of the time period. A few scenes are so poignant that I can still picture them clearly, and am in awe every time they come to mind. Each character is beautifully portrayed in a way that makes the viewer instantly attach to them, despite their horrendous haircuts. Zac Efron and the movie as a whole deserved Oscar nominations, but were snubbed because of A24’s lack of promotion. Still, “The Iron Claw” is a must-see film for wrestling fans, families, and anyone in need of a good cry.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
