Review: ‘The Iron Claw’ is a heavyweight heartbreaker that pulls no punches

If life were a wrestling match, “The Iron Claw” would be the brutal, heart-wrenching submission hold that leaves you gasping for breath. Unlike the charade that is professional wrestling, this story pulls no punches, delivering a devastating emotional journey – from a fun, energetic first act to the ultimate depths of despair and tragedy.

The story is likely to catch those uninitiated to wrestling lore off guard with an initial upbeat tone and a family with the world at their fingertips. There’s drama, but it’s all wrestling drama and not true, real world adversity. Then comes a narrative bodyslam that takes viewers into the darkest corners of family, brotherhood, obsession, and toxic masculinity.

It’s a storytelling swerve that hooks you in, making you realize you were in for a much more intense and emotionally-charged ride than expected. Just when it looks like it can’t get worse, the film throws in another devastating move, that makes it impossible to not be shaken by the sheer brutality of it all.

In 1980s Texas, no family was bigger than the Von Erichs – Kevin (Zac Efron), David (Harris Dickinson), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) and Mike (Stanley Simons) are the future of professional wrestling, training under their domineering former-pro father Fritz (Holt McCallany). Fritz never quite could bring home the NWA World Heavyweight Championship during his career, and now his dream deferred has been forced upon his boys, all of whom gladly accept the challenge. But for Kevin, the dream has never truly been his own – instead just a way to do what he loves most: spend time with his brothers and make his family proud. 

But in the world of wrestling, politics reign supreme – even within a family business – and when success matters more than family, happiness and wellbeing, it’s easy for tragedy to strike. Enter the Von Erich curse, a longstanding myth about the family that the boys have dodged so far, only for everything to come crashing down right when the world appeared to be theirs for the taking.

Efron and White are a tag team of excellence, delivering performances that hit harder than a steel chair to the back. Efron, in particular, shines as he navigates the complex psyche of Kevin, taking the audience on a journey through deep, dark places filled with pain and raw emotion. White enters the film a bit later but more than holds his own, ensuring that every punch and every emotional beat lands, delivering some of the film’s most devastating moments.

“The Iron Claw” is a rare film without a single weak link in the entire cast. Dickinson’s portrayal of David brings a charm and charisma the other brothers lack that makes for a refreshing burst of energy, while McCallany’s turn as Fritz is infuriating and painful to watch in all the best ways. Each actor steps into the squared circle with the intensity and charisma of a seasoned pro.

The pacing of “The Iron Claw” is a masterclass in storytelling. The first act is a high-flying spectacle, showcasing the characters at the peak of their powers with the world at their fingertips. But just as you start to think this is the main event, the film takes a turn. One tragedy strikes and would be more than enough drama to fill an entire film, but, unfortunately, that’s not all the Von Erich family suffered. The first tragic turn is only the beginning of the family’s downfall, with the next hour unleashing a series of devastating moves that will put audiences through the emotional ringer. The film exchanges the lighthearted energy of its first act as the tragedies unfold, but the intensity and compelling nature never waver. It’s like witnessing a dramatic shift from a high-flying spectacle to a heavyweight slugfest.

While wrestling fans may be familiar with the heartbreaking story of the Von Erich family, going into “The Iron Claw” blind is the way to go. The tragedy that unfolds seems too surreal to be accurate, and yet the real life events have even more pain and suffering than what’s seen on screen. 

In the ring of cinematic experiences, “The Iron Claw” stands tall as a heavyweight contender worthy of consideration as one of the year’s best films. It’s not just a wrestling movie; it’s a powerful character study that explores the depths of human emotion. The film delivers a devastating narrative and stellar performances that will leave viewers emotionally pinned.

Star Rating:

“The Iron Claw” releases in theaters December 22, 2023.