The Iron Claw ★★★½

“Do you think you know why you’re sad?”

A curse has been placed on the Von Erich family. Or so the Von Erichs are led to believe after a series of misfortunes befall the family. The curse would have to be the cause – nothing else could explain it. Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany) is a famed wrestler who achieved milestone after milestone in his career apart from the elusive NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship title. He believes his sons can achieve this accomplishment – it’s their destiny. Fritz believes that raising his boys to be strong can help protect them from the family curse. Their mother, Doris (Maura Tierney), believes that religion can protect her boys. The family attends church weekly and the crucifix hangs on the dining room wall.

The boys – Kevin (Zac Efron), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons) – are a tight-knit bunch. For those of us who have brothers, their sense of brotherhood and camaraderie is to aspire to. All except for Mike hold an interest in wrestling, though Mike isn’t any less close to his siblings for it. Their brother Chris is not depicted in The Iron Claw, though he also aspired to be a wrestler.

For the Von Erich family, wrestling gave the family a chance to compete, to perform, and Fritz encouraged this through making everything a competition. A breakfast scene shows Fritz naming his sons in order of favorite, and while the scene might seem alienating, he exclaims that the order is always subject to change. Fritz wanted nothing more than for his children to find success, and ignited a competitive spirit in each of his sons. After all, the family legacy is in their hands. In regards to the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, Fritz could help coach and use his connections to support his sons’ careers. With his sons’ introspectiveness and desire to be open with their father about their emotions, he would not help. Neither would Doris. Fritz and Doris believed that any emotional challenges their sons experienced, they could sort out between themselves as brothers. It’s in this manner that the Von Erich brothers were so close. They could lean on each other when needed, and would not be able to rely on their parents for emotional needs. Men don’t cry in the Von Erich household.

In depicting the Von Erich brothers, Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Stanley Simons make for one hell of an ensemble. Each packing on muscle to support their roles, the group of actors turn in career-best performances and leverage their charisma in their roles. And for Jeremy Allen White, his performance in The Iron Claw adds on to an already incredible year for The Bear actor. Credit must also go to director-writer Sean Durkin for bringing these characters and their distinctions to life in the writing. Kerry is an Olympic-contending shot put athlete, Kevin manages to be both competitive and selfless, David protects the family legacy in the ring with a fiery disposition, and Mike, like Fritz, has a musical and artistic side to him contrasting the brawn of the family. When Kevin expresses to Pam (Lily James) on their first date that all he really wants for the future is to be with his brothers, the expression is believable. Who wouldn’t want to have brothers like Kerry, David, and Mike?

Those familiar with the Von Erich family will know the tragedy that comes. Kevin’s vision for the future is initially jeopardized by Fritz placing Kevin’s siblings in line before him to contend for the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, but Kevin resists developing jealousy. He’s proud of his brothers, even if their careers are prioritized before his. The Von Erich brotherhood would remain strong, and their strength in character is matched by their resolve as Kerry’s foot is amputated following a motorcycle accident. Kerry would rehabilitate and return to the ring for the remainder of his life, fighting pain and keeping his amputation a secret from his competitors and the public.

For all the hardship that the Von Erich brothers experience, The Iron Claw suggests Fritz is partly responsible and the rational Kevin even suggests he is in the heat of the moment. Deep down though, Kevin believes that Fritz isn’t to blame and Kevin’s interviews in recent years support this. The Iron Claw shows that the brothers’ ambitions know no limits, and as born and raised Texas boys they had their fair share of rambunctiousness in them. For better, or for worse.

A number of films with similar themes as The Iron Claw are cautionary tales, but Durkin’s film focuses less on themes of obsession and toxic masculinity and more so on the brothers. And it’s to great effect. The Iron Claw introduces the Von Erich family to a new generation and affirms the value of family and brotherhood. While the Von Erich brothers’ relationship with their father wasn’t perfect, it’s immensely clear that they lived in a loving household. And what of the Von Erich curse? For now, the curse seems to have been lifted. Today, Kevin lives with his 4 children and 13 grandchildren.