The Iron Claw

The Iron Claw is incredible yet devastating. It's an emotionally haunting film that is going to stick with me for a while. The film delves into the tragic story of the Von Erich family with the utmost reverence, and while I know next to nothing about wrestling, this movie destroyed me. It's a heavy watch that might be the most moving, profound, and honest depiction of family on film this year. Sean Durkin takes an unfathomably tragic story and tells it with needed grace. Zac Efron gives an absolutely touching and heartbreaking performance as Kevin Von Erich. He delivers his most physically and emotionally demanding performance to date, supported by a flawless cast ensemble as they, along with director Sean Durkin, commit to some of the best depictions of wrestling ever seen on film. The Iron Claw is gut-wrenching and beautiful all at the same time, telling a tragic story of brotherhood, love, pain, expectations, favouritism, and legacy. I found myself heartbroken by the tragedies portrayed on screen, yet incredibly moved by the brotherhood these characters shared. Hold your loved ones close!

The film's visual narrative is meticulously crafted, with every frame thoughtfully composed to not only tell a story but to also immerse viewers into its atmospheric depth. The cinematography is indeed a standout, utilizing innovative camera techniques and lighting to accentuate the mood, tone, and overall aesthetic of the film.

Moreover, the acting in "Iron Claw" is nothing short of remarkable. The cast delivers performances that are deeply nuanced and emotionally resonant, bringing their characters to life with authenticity and complexity. Through their skillful portrayals, the actors navigate the intricate dynamics of their roles with finesse, making the audience invest in their journeys. The chemistry among the cast further amplifies the film's emotional impact, making the relationships and conflicts more compelling.

In combination, the film's well-executed cinematography and stellar acting not only enhance the storytelling but also create a rich, cinematic texture that is both engaging and thought-provoking. "Iron Claw" stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the art of performance, making it a must-watch for those who appreciate the craft of filmmaking.

I've watched this movie several times now. It blows my mind that this did not get more attention when it was released! I never paid any mind to Zac Efron except for being a pretty face or in comedies but he truly showed his acting capabilities in this movie! His emotions as Kevin really broke my heart! He truly conveyed how it's like to lose a sibling in their 20s (like I have). He was phenomenal in showing how it affects life when it comes to a spouse, work, etc.

It angers me to this day that this movie was overlooked in terms of awards. This is a very well done movie and all the actors did an amazing job!

Let me preface this by saying I am not a fan of pro wrestling at all. I actually think it's kind of silly but this film is great regardless

As always A24 delivers another great film. The acting is amazing. The story and dialogue are great. Everything about this film is awesome. It is a bit sad though. But coming in, I knew it was gonna be sad because I knew a little bit about the Von Erics from my dad who loves pro wrestling.

Zac Efron does an amazing job as the lead in this film. The co stars that played his family do a great job as well. Zac Efron and pretty much every major character has an amazing arc and a lot of development. They also have very good chemistry on screen.

Story wise it is a very good story, but very sad at the same time. It does have the benefit of being based off of a truly amazing story of a family of athletes. The dialogue is very well written. The story goes very smoothly.

The production value was good. I've come to expect a good production value when it comes to A24 films. The cinematography isn't as crazy or unique as a normal A24 film but they still do a good job regardless.

Overall, it's worth the time and money you spend.

Just brutal. Could you imagine your family's story being so depressing they had to tone it DOWN for an A24 movie? Just wow. RIP Chris Von Erich, hopefully your story will be told too someday.

There were a lot of pros to this movie. While Zac Efron and Jeremy White knocked it out of the park, it was a little difficult imagining them as 6'2 wrestlers. But hey I was willing to stretch my disbelief. The Tom Sawyer montage was kickass and I'd be lying if I didn't cry my eyes out at the end. Solid acting and definitely an interesting story.

Having said that, when you read the actual Von Erich story it's far more interesting than what the Iron Claw had to offer. It seemed like the studio wanted more of a basic three act drama than the insanely tragic lives the Von Erich's endured. So many lines in the script were so over the top I basically felt like I was being spoon fed by the director. Almost nothing was subtle that it some scenes felt reminiscent of Walk Hard. Some sections of the movie dragged and it seemed like the director just wanted to get from point A to B without really engaging the audience.

Overall a decent flick, well acted and certainly had some good scenes. If only there were a stronger script and better director maybe a less Hollywood Von Erich story could have been told.