The Iron Claw (2023)
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A family of professional wrestlers faces a legacy of tragedy and a mysterious 'curse' while striving for success in the wrestling ring.
The story
In 1979, the Von Erich family, led by patriarch Fritz Von Erich, operates a professional wrestling promotion. Fritz's sons—Kevin, David, Kerry, and Mike—are groomed to succeed in the ring, but they are haunted by the 'Von Erich curse,' a legacy of tragedy that has already claimed the life of their eldest brother, Jack Jr. As the brothers navigate the grueling world of professional wrestling, they must contend with the physical demands of the sport and the psychological weight of their family's history. The film follows their journey from 1979 into the early 1990s as they strive to achieve the success their father demands while facing personal and professional hardships.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Set between 1979 and the early 1990s, the film follows the Von Erich brothers in the world of professional wrestling. Fritz Von Erich, a man who never won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, trains his sons to succeed where he could not. Kevin, the Texas Heavyweight Champion, and his brothers David and Kerry compete in the WCCW. The narrative follows the tragic progression of the family: David dies of enteritis before a major match; Mike suffers a brain injury and dies by suicide; and Kerry, after a motorcycle accident, eventually takes his own life. Throughout these tragedies, the brothers grapple with the 'Von Erich curse.' Kevin eventually finds a sense of peace after the deaths of his brothers, ultimately finding solace in his role as a father. The film concludes with a revelation that the family was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, and Kevin and his wife Pam still live together with their children.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 132
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Sean Durkin
- Writers
- Sean Durkin · writer
- Cast and characters
- Zac Efron · Kevin Von Erich; Jeremy Allen White · Kerry Von Erich; Harris Dickinson · David Von Erich; Maura Tierney · Doris Von Erich; Stanley Simons · Mike Von Erich; Holt McCallany · Jack "Fritz" Von Erich; Lily James · Pam Adkisson
- Genres
- biographical; sports drama
- Themes
- legacy; family tragedy; masculinity
- Tone and mood
- mournful; heavy
- Premise and plot tags
- biographical; sports; drama
- Content notes
- violence
- Reception
- The film received positive reviews, particularly for the cast's performances, and was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review.
- Production trivia
- The cast performed full-length, one-take wrestling matches in front of a live audience.; The film's title comes from a signature move of the Von Erichs.; The film was shot in a furniture store converted to look like the Dallas Sportatorium.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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