CINEMA REVIEW: THE IRON CLAW (2023)

Directed by Sean Durkin

Written by Sean Durkin

Produced by: Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Sean Durkin, Angus Lamont, Derrin Schlesinger

Cast: Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany and Lily James.

Cinematography: Mátyás Erdély

*** CONTAINS SPOILERS ***

According to research on the internet the biggest killer of men in the UK under fifty-years of age is suicide. Nationally and locally seventy-five percent of those that die by suicide are men, with the highest numbers being forty-five to fifty-four years of age. In the USA, reports show suicide is the second leading cause of death among Americans ages ten to thirty-four, and the fourth leading cause of death in the thirty-five to fifty-four age group. I personally have known two close male friends who have taken their own lives in the last decade.

In addition, mortality rates for professional wrestlers are reportedly up to 2.9 times greater than the rate for men in the wider United States population. Statistics also show that the early deaths of professional wrestlers were significantly higher than that of athletes in other sports. Potentially due to the consistent mental and physical detriment as well as a proclivity toward higher rates of cardiovascular disease, depression and drug addiction. Thus, with this in mind, Sean Durkin’s film, The Iron Claw (2023), a profile of the Von Erich family, while full of exciting wrestling action, is NOT one of those generic feelgood underdog sports dramas. It is however a complex exploration of masculinity, familial pressure, sports politics, suicide, grief, religion, addiction, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.

A prologue establishes Jack “Fritz” Von Erich (Holt McCallany) as an uncompromising professional wrestler in the 1960s with a signature move called the ‘Iron Claw.’ A number of years later Von Erich Snr. is a wrestling promoter who runs successful WCCW events in Texas. His unique selling point for the shows is that he has four sons, Kevin (Zac Efron), Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson) and Mike (Stanley Simons), who throughout the narrative, all test themselves to the limit in the wrestling ring.

While it is certainly a strong ensemble cast, the main focus of Durkin’s compelling screenplay is Zac Efron’s, Kevin. A strong, fast and muscular athlete in the ring, Kevin, however, is not a confident personality out of it. He, and his brothers, live in the shadow of his domineering father, who controls and dictates to those around him. Jack’s resentment at not winning the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship during his career, and dissatisfaction at the politics of the higher-ups in wrestling, has made him a bitter, angry man. Thus, the theme of toxic masculinity bleeds throughout the story as Jack keeps his sons, and wife (Maura Tierney), under control. Therefore The Iron Claw (2023) is not just a signature wrestling move, but also the means with which the Von Erich family are treated by Jack.

There are moments of glory in the ring for the brothers, notably Kevin, Kerry and David in The Iron Claw (2023). Indeed the wrestling action is often pulsating and Durkin does include several genre-pleasing action montages. But, tragedy is never far away from the Von Erich family. Kevin even tells his wife-to-be, Pam (Lily James) that he believes the family are cursed. She dismisses this, but given what occurs during the film and the heartbreak which befalls the brothers, you begin to think he may be right. As Kevin, Zac Efron gives an incredibly moving performance as the brother seeking love, success and family community. Lastly, I truly disliked Sean Durkin’s last film The Nest (2020), as it said very little about people I did not care about. The Iron Claw (2023), on the other hand, says so much about people I was emotionally rooting for, with Kevin Von Erich in particularly admirable as he showed ultimate fighting spirit by surviving such unforgiving loss.

Mark: 9 out of 11