#REVIEW: “THE IRON CLAW”

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

The Von Erichs are a family of professional wrestlers and athletes. Patriarch Fritz (Holt McCallany) never won a world title but knows in his bones that one of his sons will. He pushes them to their limits and keeps on top of them, “encouraging” them to be the best. Is it any wonder why people thought they were cursed?

Whether you know the true story or not, Writer/Director Sean Durkin’s THE IRON CLAW is a grueling, emotional and often devastating journey tracking the ups and downs of this incredibly gifted family. He frames the Film as being “inspired by” the true story, taking liberties with the timelines and eliminating multiple people (mostly female) who were involved in this tragic tale. Durkin even goes so far as to remove one of the real life Von Erich children altogether and refers to another mainly in passing. It goes a long way to streamline the story he wants to tell – mainly revolving around Kevin (played by Zac Efron) – and wisely avoids sensationalizing some of the grittier, more salacious details.

And while Durkin and his Crew do an impeccable job composing the action inside of the ring and making each fight more exciting than the last, he falters in the way he frames his timeline. The Film moves efficiently through the late 1960s and into the early 1980s, stopping along the way to spend time with the boys in front of the crowd or chilling at home. Once it gets deeper into the ’80s however, which not so coincidentally happens at the start of the Third Act, Durkin throws away his pacing for something a little more frantic and unclear. Things just sort of happen without much in the way of explanation or introspection, and many ideas are introduced and then never resolved. One character is done completely dirty by the lack of information, leading to two gut-wrenching moments that do not feel nearly as earned as they should. The Film is a touch too long as it is, yet I feel like adding a scene or three would make some choice revelations in that last Act hit as poignantly as they should rather than leaving you to just parse together what happens.

The terrific Ensemble thankfully makes up for this, with each member of the main cast delivering top-notch performances. Harris Dickinson, coming off his scorching hot 2022 output, is wonderfully intense, relative unknown Stanley Simons is quietly memorable and Maura Tierney and Lilly James add a much-needed feminine warmth to the proceedings. McCallany, who you will recognize from his vast array of supporting roles, delivers standout work as Fritz. He is the very definition of Toxic Masculinity and does all too well embodying the kind of diabolical scumbag you loathe for burrowing so deep under your skin.

Speaking of standouts, Jeremy Allen White is rock solid as Kerry Von Erich and Efron is positively electric as Kevin. They both bring their A-games here, imbuing every moment with a mix of charisma, emotion and ferocity. I knew White had it in him to play this type of character (and wish Durkin used him more often), but Efron’s work here is practically revelatory. This is easily his finest work ever and the way he captures and carries the Film on his shoulders will make you instantly forget he is the pretty boy from High School Musical. I was only able to look away from his smouldering, magnificent performance once – and that was just because I did not want to ugly cry through the Film’s ending.

Wonky timeline aside, Sean Durkin has gifted us with a riveting and gripping portrait of a real-life wresting dynasty unlike any other. And while he has assembled an absolutely stellar ensemble, it is Efron’s performance that is going to stick with you long after the Credits roll. Pack many tissues.

Elevation Pictures release THE IRON CLAW on Friday, December 22, 2023.