Trigger warning to mentions of violence and suicide, and spoilers for the film.
Many of you may have already seen the iconic promo pics or the behind-the-scenes paparazzi shots of Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White in ridiculous haircuts and very short shorts- think Paul Mescal’s running ones. But what is this movie about? I went in not knowing the plot but having high expectations as I love anything A24 creates, and came out of Savoy cinema balling my eyes out.
The Iron Claw is a biopic of the tragic lives of the Von Erich brothers, focusing on their history-making wrestling matches in 1980s Texas as they fight for their chance at the world title championship. The film is so much more than wrestling, focusing on the bond between the four brothers, Kevin (played by Zac Efron), David (played by Harris Dickinson), Kerry (played by Jeremy Allen White), and Mike (played by Stanley Simons). All men gave brilliant performances, where their chemistry aids in establishing the familial bond, without which, the film would lose its touch.
The film begins with three of the brothers (Kevin, David and Mike), living with their parents as they focus on their wrestling training. Their overbearing father, Fritz (played by Holt McCallany) coaches them, controlling their careers and dictating their lives. The first half of the film is full of 80s nostalgia, with brilliant costuming and a perfectly curated soundtrack. One of the most beautiful and heartwarming scenes for me was the whole family playing football on their farm, echoing their dream of wanting to live as a family forever. This scene is something that stayed with me in the latter half of the film, considering the dark turn it took.
The second half of the film is not a shocking turn of events like some have thought. Considering that it is based on real stories, the film almost seems fictitious, with me and my housemates questioning how such a horrible domino effect could occur in real life. Once it is announced David will go to fight in the world championships, much to Kevin’s dismay as he thought it would be his big break, David dies of enteritis just a week before the fight – one of the many deaths in the second half of the film. After a coin flip, it’s decided that Kerry will fight in his place, going on to win the world championship. However, after winning he proceeds to get in a motorcycle accident, losing his right foot. A large motif in the theme is the ‘Von Erich curse’, with the brothers all speaking of the family’s cursed surname before this tragedy strikes. In fear of this curse, Kevin goes on to change his newborn son’s surname in an attempt to avoid further tragedy. The youngest son, Mike, who was previously uninterested in wrestling, decides to take it up after the loss of his first brother. However, he gets a severe brain injury during his first match, leading to brain damage, later going on to overdose. Tragedy continues with Kerry telling Kevin he is suicidal, going on to shoot himself with a gun bought for his father. Kevin arrives just too late, with the sound of gunfire signalling a third brother’s death.
One of the most beautiful scenes in the film is the famous ‘afterlife’ scene in which Kerry takes a boat ride after his death, returning to the embrace of his two other brothers, and young Jack Junior who had passed away at 5, who was originally the oldest brother. This scene works to emphasise the integral theme of brotherhood throughout. However, what makes the story much more tragic is that there is a 6th brother who was written out of the film. As he also committed suicide, director Sean Durkin thought the film would be too difficult to watch and comprehend with three suicides in a row. When watching this film, I remember thinking how painful this must have been for the family, with the deaths of 4 brothers already too much to handle. What makes this story even more harrowing is that Chris, the brother not included in the film, committed suicide in fear of not living up to his older brothers wrestling legacies and being forgotten.
What sold the film for me was Zac Efron’s performance which I thought was absolutely phenomenal. The entire cast was brilliant, but Efron’s performance carried the film for me, with his range throughout the film giving the best performance in his career- I’m sorry to all the High School Musical fans. His portrayal of a hypermasculine wrestler who navigates great loss, and becomes a stronger man because of it, gives audiences time to reflect on the portrayal of masculinity and what truly makes a real man. The scene that tipped me over the edge, not that I was not already sobbing, was one of the final moments of Kevin with his sons playing football. This callback to the earlier scene of the brothers playing football again echoed the ethos of the importance of family. I implore you to go and watch this film, whether you love Zac Efron and want to see him shine on screen, or you want to see a film that will truly evoke something within. I give this film 5 stars, something that I think was well and truly deserved. Biopics have become a popular movie style in recent years, and this film was the best one I’ve seen in a while.