THE IRON CLAW
WATCH NOW TRAILER
| Directed by | Sean Durkin |
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| Written by | Sean Durkin |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mátyás Erdély |
| Edited by | Matthew Hannam |
| Music by | Richard Reed Parry |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | |
Release dates |
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Running time | 132 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $15.9 million[2] |
The Iron Claw is a 2023 biographical sports drama film written and directed by Sean Durkin. Based on the life of professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich and the Von Erich family, the film stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Holt McCallany, and Lily James.
The Iron Claw premiered at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 8, 2023, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 22, 2023, by A24, and in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2024, by Lionsgate. It was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review.[3]
Synopsis[edit]
Further information: Von Erich family
The film is centered around the Von Erich family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers from Texas that had enormous success in the 1980s and popularized the iron claw professional wrestling hold. However, they not only had to battle inside the ring, but they also fought the "Von Erich curse," outside of it: a string of unbearable personal tragedies.[4][5][6]
Cast[edit]
Zac Efron stars as...
Kevin Von Erich
Jeremy Allen White stars as...
Kerry Von Erich
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Harris Dickinson stars as...
David Von ErichZac Efron as Kevin Von Erich
Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich
Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich
Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich
Stanley Simons as Mike Von Erich
Holt McCallany as Fritz Von Erich
Lily James as Pam Adkisson
Maxwell Jacob Friedman as Lance Von Erich
Brady Pierce as Michael Hayes
Aaron Dean Eisenberg as Ric Flair
Kevin Anton as Harley Race
Cazzey Louis Cereghino as Bruiser Brody
Chavo Guerrero Jr. as Edward "The Sheik" Farhat
Ryan Nemeth as Gino Hernandez
Scott Innes as the Ring Announcer
Production[edit]
Durkin had a long-term aspiration to create a film based on the Von Erich family. He was a fan of professional wrestling, during his youth, and he was personally saddened by the string of Von Erich family deaths. In 2015, he began research for the film's initial screenplay.[7][8] Chris Von Erich, the youngest member of the family, was not included in the screenplay, to limit the film's runtime.[6] Chris died by suicide in 1991, two years prior to Kerry Von Erich, and he was the third family death (after David and Mike).
In June 2022, the film was announced to star Efron and to be produced and distributed by A24. Later, it was also developed by House Productions, with the support of Access Entertainment and BBC Film.[9] In September, White and Dickinson were announced as joining the project to portray the Von Erich brothers, alongside Efron. One month later, McCallany and James were cast,[10] and Juliette Howell, Angus Lamont, Maura Tierney, Tessa Ross, Derrin Schlesinger, and Harrison Huffman were confirmed as producers.[11][12][13] In November, Friedman was cast and was later credited as an executive producer.[14]
Principal photography began in Baton Rouge, in October 2022,[15][16][17] and it lasted six weeks.[18] Instead of filming the wrestling scenes in multiple edited sequences, however, the cast performed full-length, one-take wrestling matches, in front of a live audience, which was held in a furniture store that was converted to appear as the Dallas Sportatorium.[7] Chavo Guerrero, who portrays The Sheik, also acted as the film's primary wrestling consultant.[19] Guerrero also spoke to the cast about premature deaths in professional wrestling, including that of his uncle, Eddie Guerrero.[8]
The film received special dispensation from SAG-AFTRA, to continue production and promotion during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, subject to the acceptance of certain conditions and stemming from A24's positive relationship with the union.[20]
Release[edit]
The Iron Claw premiered at the Texas Theatre in Dallas on November 8, 2023, hours after the end of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike;[21] and it was attended by Kevin Von Erich, making a public appearance in Dallas, for the first time in over 20 years,[22] alongside Bill Mercer, Marshall, Ross Von Erich, and Trish Stratus.[23] The film is scheduled to be released, in the United States, on December 22 by A24, and it is expected to premiere in the United Kingdom, by Lionsgate, on February 9, 2024.[24][25]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 92% of 65 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "Powerfully acted and profoundly sad, The Iron Claw honors its fact-based story with a dramatization whose compassionate exploration of family ties is just as hard-hitting as its action in the wrestling ring."[26] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 26 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[27]
Reaction within professional wrestling[edit]
In October 2023, Marshall Von Erich praised Guerrero's role as a wrestling consultant, highlighting the accuracy of the film's wrestling sequences and complimented Efron's performance.[28] Kevin Von Erich also positively highlighted Guerrero's contributions, stating, "He did a great job, pushing [the cast] and getting them ready. It is a lot more difficult than it looks, and they did so well."[29] Von Erich personally met Efron, and he endorsed his portrayal and the overall film, which Efron, later, stated was "the most important review".[18] Von Erich stated he believed the film accurately portrays his father, Fritz.[30]
See also[edit]The Wrestler - Sports drama centred around professional wrestling.
Fighting with My Family - Comedy-drama based on the early life and career of professional wrestler Saraya Bevis.
References[edit]
^ "The Iron Claw (15)". British Board of Film Classification. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
^ "Fastlane NextGen: Initial Certification Search" (Type "Iron Claw" in the search box). Louisiana Economic Development. July 15, 2022. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
^ Lewis, Hilary (December 6, 2023). "National Board of Review Names 'Killers of the Flower Moon' Best Film of 2023". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
^ "The Iron Claw". BBC.
^ "Lily James joins ridiculously hot cast for a new A24 movie about wrestling". I-d.vice.com.
^ Jump up to:a b Coggan, Devan (November 7, 2023). "Into the ring: The Iron Claw stars talk dropkicks and their emotional wrestling drama". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
^ Jump up to:a b Carey, Ian (November 6, 2023). "'The Iron Claw' cast talk in-ring training, Von Erich legacy". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ Jump up to:a b Jacobs, Matthew (November 13, 2023). "Even the Wrestling Training for 'The Iron Claw' Broke All the Expected Rules". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ "Zac Efron To Star In 'The Iron Claw' From A24 And Sean Durkin". Deadline. June 16, 2022.
^ "Lily James Joins Sean Durkin's 'The Iron Claw' For A24". Deadline. October 24, 2022.
^ "Mindhunter' Star Holt McCallany To Co-Star Opposite Zac Efron In 'The Iron Claw' At A24". Deadline. October 3, 2022.
^ "Lily James Joins 'The Iron Claw' Alongside Zac Efron and Harris Dickinson". Collider. October 24, 2022.
^ "Maura Tierney Joins Sean Durkin's 'The Iron Claw' For A24". Deadline. October 19, 2022.
^ Carey, Ian (November 13, 2023). "MJF credited as executive producer of 'The Iron Claw". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ "Zac Efron Is Nearly Unrecognizable In New Look For Wrestling Movie". screenrant.com. October 27, 2022.
^ "A24 Got Its Beefiest Boys for The Iron Claw". Vulture. November 30, 2022.
^ "Zac Efron has activated beast mode to get fit for wrestling drama The Iron Claw". GQ Magazine. October 28, 2022.
^ Jump up to:a b Davis, Clayton (November 12, 2023). "Zac Efron Says Wrestler Kevin Von Erich Likes 'The Iron Claw'". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ "Zac Efron complimented by Marshall Von Erich for The Iron Claw movie". Cagesideseats.com. October 30, 2022.
^ Wolf, Cam (November 13, 2023). "Jeremy Allen White on The Iron Claw and rejecting superhero movies". GQ. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ Gonzalez, Alex (November 9, 2023). "Dallas Gets a Taste of Hollywood With The Iron Claw Premiere". Dallas Observer. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
^ Ruby, Emma (November 13, 2023). "How the Texas Theater came to host star studded 'Iron Claw' world premiere". Oak Cliff Advocate. Retrieved November 14, 2023. the movie premiere was attended by Kevin Von Erich himself whose recent return to Dallas marks his first time back in the city in nearly 20 years
^ Johnson, Mike (November 11, 2023). "Legends appear at 'Iron Claw' premiere screening in Dallas". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ Rubin, Rebecca (July 27, 2023). "A24's 'The Iron Claw,' Starring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, Sets December Wide Release Date (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
^ Tabbara, Mona (November 13, 2023). "Lionsgate to release A24 sports drama The Iron Claw, starring Zac Efron, in the UK and Ireland". Screen Daily. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
^ "The Iron Claw". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^ "The Iron Claw". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
^ "Zac Efron complimented by Marshall Von Erich for The Iron Claw movie". Cagesideseats.com. October 30, 2022.
^ Smart, Jack (November 10, 2023). "Zac Efron Jokes His Ego Was Bruised Filming Iron Claw in a Speedo: 'This Is Magic Mike!'". People. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
^ Wrestling legend Kevin Von Erich on 'The Iron Claw', being portrayed by Zac Efron. Fox News. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023
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