The Iron Claw
Movie, 2023, The 2020s, Set in The Von Erich family
The Iron Claw is #31 of 37 in release order and #31 of 37 in chronological order in the A24.
The story
The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
The Iron Claw recap
The Iron Claw (2023) tells the true story of the Von Erich brothers, Texas wrestlers pushed by their father toward titles while tragedy claims them one by one. Sean Durkin writes and directs. In 1979 Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany), a retired wrestler who runs World Class Championship Wrestling, trains his sons to win the world title he never held, while their mother Doris (Maura Tierney) stays out of it. Kevin (Zac Efron), the eldest living son, is devoted but awkward on the mic; David (Harris Dickinson) has the charisma; Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) comes home when the 1980 Olympic boycott ends his discus hopes; and Mike (Stanley Simons) would rather play music. Kevin marries Pam (Lily James) and worries about a family curse. David dies on tour in Japan before his title shot, and Kerry wins the belt from Ric Flair, then loses a foot in a motorcycle crash. The film stands alone.
The Iron Claw ending explained
The Iron Claw ends with Kevin the last brother alive. Mike, left brain damaged after surgery, takes his own life, and Kerry, wrestling in the WWF on a prosthetic foot, shoots himself after calling Kevin in despair. Kevin nearly chokes Fritz in rage. Grieving, he imagines his brothers reunited in the afterlife. He later sells the promotion and, watching his sons play, cries that he used to be a brother; they promise to be his brothers. The real family had a sixth brother, Chris, who also died by suicide; Durkin left him out of the story.
Post-credits scenes
No. The Iron Claw has no post-credits scene; a closing title card notes the family's 2009 WWE Hall of Fame induction.
Where to watch The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw is streaming on YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 89%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Talk to Me, before The Zone of Interest.
- Chronological order: after Talk to Me, before The Zone of Interest.
Cast
- Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich
- Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich
- Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich
- Stanley Simons as Mike Von Erich
- Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich
- Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich
- Lily James as Pam
- Grady Wilson as Young Kevin
- Valentine Newcomer as Young David
- Scott Innes as Ring Announcer
- Chavo Guerrero Jr. as The Sheik
- Garrett Hammond as Sportatorium Referee #1
Directed by Sean Durkin.