What’s “The Iron Claw” About?

The TRUE story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, Kevin, Kerry, David, and Michael (Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen, Harris Dickinson, & Stanley Simmons) who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.

What Is The Iron Claw?

The Iron Claw was a signature wrestling attack move that Fritz VonErich designed himself to defeat his opponents in the ring when wrestling hence the name of the movie I made that connection immediately as they made it that obvious at the beginning of the film and looks exactly as it is called – the Iron Claw because Fritz was a man who certainly knew how to “claw” his way to the top and seize every opportunity possible to achieve what he always wanted but was overlooked and that was the title of the Heavyweight Champion.

The Von Erich Curse

I suggest that if you have a very tough stomach and you do not get emotional very easily – you heed my warnings and advice and …DO NOT WATCH THIS MOVIE AT HOME OR IN YOUR LOCAL THEATER because it will rip you apart! I was cringing on the edge of my seat just waiting for the next scene of horrific bad events/news to happen because this family (it will be said countless times throughout the film) had a curse or stigma of some sort placed on them with nothing but horrific and terrifying events constantly happen to them and it comes to a point where Kevin, who is played by Zac Efron is so traumatized by the family curse that he is scared to enjoy any bit of happiness that comes his way due to his losses and sadness due to the curse. You have to see how emotional he becomes and how it takes a toll on him; just that by itself is scary. Of course, as I said, if you cannot fathom what this TRUE STORY film is about, I do not suggest you watch it because it is gripping and very emotional. The Iron Claw held onto this family and never let go …unfortunately …

The Challengers

Kevin, David, and Kerry were all wrestlers, but I felt as I watched the film that they were living out the dream for their father and not for themselves. He pushed and pushed them so hard because his dream for that belt got snatched away from him and I could see how. It was because of his lack of self-control and his attitude. Throughout the film, Fritz has a mindset of his way or no way. I cannot see how his wife stayed with him until his dying day. I was waiting on the edge of my seat for him to go ballistic on any one of his kids beating them because they were not training hard enough for him that was the type of person I saw him out to be from the moment that the film began. Maybe they omitted that part, but I know that I am not far off base from thinking that.

Pam Adkisson

Pam was the only good thing in the Iron Claw. Literally. She kept enforcing to Kevin that she needed him home and with their children, but as I stated at the start of this review. Kevin was so terrified that his children would “catch the curse” that he opted to stay away from them to keep them safe. Doesn’t that just break your heart? He was that scared and broken down to do that to protect his flesh in blood? I tell you what? If watching this movie does not break you down and prick at your heart after what you see and knowing that Doris Van Erich had 6 sons and out of those 6, if you only knew what she went through personally and emotionally with the other 5, you would break down and cry or even just ponder so many questions to yourselves! The Iron Claw is strong, but YOU have the power and resiliency to let it go whenever you want! KNOW THAT!