Memorable performances are aplenty in The Iron Claw, Sean Durkin’s remarkable retelling of the von Erich family story.
★★★★✰
At one point in The Iron Claw, Lily James’ Pam quizzes her new partner Kevin von Erich (Zac Efron) on professional wrestling: “isn’t it just fake?” she asks, not out of disrespect, but out of confusion and curiosity that many unattuned to the sport might feel. Whilst Kevin’s answer is swift and polite in disagreement, The Iron Claw is a full-on rebuttal, a demonstration of the reductive nature of such a question. Sean Durkin’s latest—an incredibly assured sports drama that one can scarcely believe is based on a true story—shows professional wrestling as a punishing, ugly, painful sport, full of potential glory but also stuffed with anguish, suffering, sweat, tears, and violence. It is a pulsating affair, standing with the best sports dramas of the 21st century such as The Wrestler (2008) and Ford v Ferrari (2019).
Durkin has always been at ease telling strange or unnerving stories, from the abusive cult tale of Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011) to the twisted relationship drama The Nest (2020). His third feature focuses on the von Erich family, one of the most famous families in professional wrestling history. Whether you go into The Iron Claw knowing about their cursed history or being completely in the dark, you will leave feeling floored thanks to its startling story, incredible performances, and striking craftsmanship. The Iron Claw focuses on the four von Erich brothers: Kevin (Efron), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), and Michael (Stanley Simons). We’re told that another brother died at a young age, while the real-life sixth brother, who also passed away, is not referenced in the film.
Their story is a tumultuous one, with professional wrestling pushed upon them by their dominant father, Fritz (Holt McCallany). It is a sport they all love, but one that causes them many problems. Overbearing toxic masculinity runs rife in The Iron Claw, both physically in the actors’ hulking bodies and emotionally, with feelings suppressed and the answer to everything seeming to be the wrestling ring. Despite the hardships of The Iron Claw’s story and its intense suffering, there are multiple uplifting moments; the brotherly bond between the von Erich boys is something to cherish.
We marvel at them as destructive forces and glorious showmen in the ring, but also appreciate the softer, warmer side, whether it is their cosy embraces, simple conversations, or genuine love for one another. This solid attachment we feel stems from spectacular acting performances. White, Dickinson, and Simons all bring something different to their characters (the innocence of the latter is particularly beautiful), whilst McCallany’s callous performance is terrifying, his jaw constantly clenched. But it is Efron who steals the show in The Iron Claw. He is instantly likeable as Kevin, showing great emotional range in the film’s latter stages, and also giving an intense physical performance.
The Iron Claw can feel mildly rushed at times, with its middle section racing through events at a quickened pace, although this is more caused by the sheer scope of the story as opposed to any shortcomings on Durkin’s part. The writer and director brings real flair to proceedings, whether it’s the smart use of fades and overlays or the juxtaposition of sunkissed fields at dawn against darkened roads at night, the camera zipping along the tarmac like in a David Lynch film. The journey we go on with the von Erich family is constantly compelling and engaging.
The Verdict
The Iron Claw is a mighty, throbbing, and very stylish sports drama, which tells the von Erich family story with great poise and intelligence. There is remarkable acting everywhere in The Iron Claw, but it is Zac Efron who shines brightest in what is a career best performance.
Words by William Stottor
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