REVIEW #340 The Iron Claw (2023)

The heartbreaking true story of the Von Erich brothers who made history as Professional Wrestlers in the 80’s, battling trauma and tragedy at every step.

The Iron Claw is an impactful insight into the incredibly tough lives of professional wrestlers, especially during the 80’s as the sport was really making strides. But the film actually lets wrestling take a back seat as it focuses on the heartbreaking story of the Von Erich brothers, which if it were not based on a true story, you’d simply think the storyline was unrealistic! To think that they even left out yet another one of the families tragedies to avoid overwhelming the audience, is simply unbelievable. I’m a little disappointed this movie isn’t getting more traction from the award bodies, the script is amazing, the cinematography is stunning and it’s a career best performance from Zac Effron, who delivered on both the physical aesthetic and the tough emotional outlook of Kevin Von Erich. The cast is stacked with really talented actors who help deliver a truly emotional and impactful film that stayed with me long after it had finished. I think a lot of the general public may have been put off thinking this was just a wrestling film, it’s far from it and anyone who likes a good drama should get out to see it whilst you can. Another banger from A24!

Overall (9/10)

Thanks for reading.

Callan