Is Iron Claw Based on a True Story? Release Date, Cast, Plot, and more
Iron Claw Movie: If you are a fan of wrestling, drama, and biopics, you might be interested in the upcoming movie The Iron Claw, which tells the true story of the Von Erich brothers, a legendary wrestling family from Texas.
The film stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, and Lily James, and is directed by Sean Durkin, who previously helmed the acclaimed films Martha Marcy May Marlene and The Nest.
But how much of the movie is faithful to the real events, and what can you expect from this gripping and tragic tale of fame, family, and fate? Here is everything you need to know about The Iron Claw.
The True Story Behind The Iron Claw
The Iron Claw is based on the life of professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich and his brothers, who were part of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of wrestlers that dominated the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
Their father, Jack “Fritz” Von Erich, was a former wrestler and the owner of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), a promotion that rivaled the WWE in popularity and influence.
Fritz trained his sons to follow in his footsteps and become champions, but he also imposed strict and harsh discipline on them, demanding excellence and toughness at all times.
The Von Erich brothers were charismatic, talented, and handsome, and they quickly became fan favorites and icons in the wrestling world. They had memorable feuds and matches with other stars, such as Ric Flair, Harley Race, The Fabulous Freebirds, and The Sheik.
They also had loyal and passionate fans, especially in their home state of Texas, where they often performed at the Dallas Sportatorium, a venue that became synonymous with their legacy.
However, behind the scenes, the Von Erich family was plagued by a series of tragedies and misfortunes, which some attributed to a “Von Erich curse”. The oldest brother, Jack Jr., died at the age of six in 1959, after being accidentally electrocuted and drowned. The third brother, David, died at the age of 25 in 1984, while touring in Japan, of acute enteritis, a severe inflammation of the intestines.
The fourth brother, Kerry, died by suicide at the age of 33 in 1993, after struggling with drug addiction, depression, and legal problems. He had also lost his right foot in a motorcycle accident in 1986, which he tried to hide from the public and his opponents. The fifth brother, Mike, died by suicide at the age of 23 in 1987, after suffering from toxic shock syndrome, a rare and life-threatening infection, which left him with brain damage and chronic pain.
The sixth brother, Chris, died by suicide at the age of 21 in 1991, after failing to achieve success in wrestling due to his small stature and health issues. He had asthma and brittle bone syndrome, which made him prone to fractures and injuries.
The only surviving brother, Kevin, retired from wrestling in 1995 and moved to Hawaii with his wife and four sons. He later returned to Texas, where he runs a ranch and occasionally makes appearances at wrestling events. He has also been involved in several documentaries and podcasts about his family and their legacy, such as The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling, Heroes of World Class, and The Dark Side of the Ring.
Actors, and Cast
The Iron Claw features an impressive cast of actors who portray the Von Erich family and other wrestling personalities. Here are some of the main cast members and their roles:
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Zac Efron | Kevin Von Erich |
| Jeremy Allen White | Kerry Von Erich |
| Harris Dickinson | David Von Erich |
| Maura Tierney | Doris Von Erich |
| Holt McCallany | Fritz Von Erich |
| Lily James | Pam |
| Maxwell Jacob Friedman | Lance Von Erich |
| Aaron Dean Eisenberg | Ric Flair |
| Kevin Anton | Harley Race |
| Cazzey Louis Cereghino | Bruiser Brody |
Other cast members include Lily James as Pam, Kevin’s wife and a loyal supporter of the Von Erich family; Maxwell Jacob Friedman as Lance Von Erich, a wrestler who was introduced as a cousin of the Von Erichs, but was later revealed to be unrelated; Aaron Dean Eisenberg as Ric Flair, one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and a rival and a friend of the Von Erichs; Kevin Anton as Harley Race, another legendary wrestler and a mentor to the Von Erichs; and Cazzey Louis Cereghino as Bruiser Brody, a notorious and unpredictable wrestler and a friend of the Von Erichs.
The Plot
Iron Claw follows the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, who dominated the wrestling scene in Texas and beyond in the 1980s. The movie begins in 1979, when Kevin Von Erich is the Texas NWA Heavyweight Champion and the star of his father’s promotion, WCCW. He is joined by his brothers David, Kerry, Mike, and Chris, who are all trained and groomed by their father to become wrestling legends. The movie shows the highlights of their careers, such as their feud with the Fabulous Freebirds, their matches with Ric Flair, and their popularity among the fans.
The movie also shows the dark side of their lives, such as the injuries, the drugs, the scandals, and the deaths that plagued the family. The movie depicts the tragic deaths of four of the Von Erich brothers: David, who dies of a ruptured intestine in Japan in 1984; Mike, who commits suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills in 1987; Chris, who shoots himself in the head in 1991; and Kerry, who shoots himself in the chest in 1993. The movie also shows the impact of these deaths on the surviving members of the family, especially Kevin, who struggles with guilt, grief, and depression.
The movie ends with a flash-forward to the present day, where Kevin is the only living son of Fritz and Doris, who both died in 1997. Kevin is now a grandfather and a born-again Christian, who has forgiven himself and his father for their mistakes. He is also a mentor and a friend to the new generation of wrestlers, who look up to him and his brothers as their heroes.
Release Date
Iron Claw was released in the United States by A24 on December 22, 2023, just in time for the Christmas season. The movie was also released in the United Kingdom by Lionsgate on February 9, 2024. The movie had its world premiere at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 8, 2023, where it received a standing ovation from the audience, which included many former wrestlers and fans of the Von Erich family.
I finally got to watch The Iron Claw last night, the writers did their homework pic.twitter.com/OpX0xhOoxZ
— Ciarán (@CiaranRH93) February 15, 2024
Reviews
Iron Claw has received mostly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some praised the movie for its authentic and emotional portrayal of the Von Erich family, its impressive performances, especially by Efron and White, its thrilling wrestling scenes, and its respectful tribute to the legacy of the Von Erich brothers.
Others criticized the movie for its uneven pacing, its lack of depth and nuance, its sensationalized and melodramatic tone, and its deviation from some of the historical facts. The movie currently has a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 256 reviews, and a 7.2/10 rating on IMDb, based on 18,765 votes.
Read Also: Marry My Husband Episode 15 Release Date
Rating
Iron Claw is rated R for strong violence, language throughout, drug use, and some sexual content. The movie is suitable for adults who enjoy biographical dramas and wrestling stories. The movie is not recommended for children or viewers who are sensitive to violence, death, or suicide.
OTT Platform
Iron Claw is available to watch on A24’s OTT platform, A24 Now, which offers exclusive and ad-free streaming of A24’s movies and TV shows. The movie is also available to rent or buy on other digital platforms, such as Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and Vudu. The movie is expected to be released on DVD and Blu-ray later this year.
Trailer
If you are interested in watching Iron Claw, you can check out the official trailer below, which gives a glimpse of the movie’s plot, cast, and action. The trailer also features the movie’s tagline, “The true story of the wrestling family that changed the world”, and the movie’s theme song, “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy.
