The Iron Claw is a powerful and unsettling film that delivers a knockout punch of emotional drama. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
The Iron Claw releases in theaters across the United States this Friday, December 22, 2023. The film tells the story of the Von Erichs and stars Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, Harris Dickinson (David Von Erich), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry Von Erich), Holt McCallany (Fritz Von Erich), Maura Tierney (Doris Von Erich), Stanley Simons (Mike Von Erich), and Lily James (Pam). The film was produced by Derrin Schlesinger and written and directed by Sean Durkin. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
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The Iron Claw Movie Quotes
The Iron Claw Parents Guide
In The Iron Claw: The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who make history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.
The Iron Claw Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what concerned parents need to know about the age ratings of the series before letting their younger children watch The Iron Claw.
Language: The Iron Claw contains stronger language, with profanity used throughout. Lookout words include f*ck, sh*t, son of a b*tch, d*mn, b*st*rd, and phrases like “G-d d*mn.”
Mature Content: The biggest lookout in the film, other than the strong language, is the violence and drug abuse in the film. The film surrounds the tragic story of the Von Erich’s, a dynasty of wrestlers, whose many members died of drug overdoses and suicide. Along with wrestling scenes, there are scenes that show characters in depression, shooting themselves, being bloody and gory, throwing up blood, strangling, in dangerous situations that cause bodily injury, having to have their leg amputated, and more. There are some scenes that show characters using drugs and injecting themselves with steriods. There are also a sex scene that show characters engaged in sex, masterbating in the shower, and some nudity, such as a nude bottom in the shower. Characters also consume alcohol and become intoxicated.
Age Rating of the Movie The Iron Claw: A24 The Iron Claw movie rating has an R rating by the Motion Picture Association of America – MPAA ratings – for language, suicide, some sexuality, and drug use and the parental guidelines advisory recommends it for mature audiences, an older audience, an adult audience, young viewers, young adults, little kids, older kids, and teens aged 17 years and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or a legal guardian (adult guardian) for this restricted R category is highly suggested for young children, teenage children. and younger audiences under 17 years of age in this R-rated motion picture for adult material. The minimum age recommendation is 17 years old.
Overall Thoughts
Stepping into the ring with “The Iron Claw,” audiences witness the Von Erich brothers’ rise and fall through the electrifying, yet tragic, world of 1980s professional wrestling. Director Sean Durkin crafts a film that’s as much a family drama as it is a sports spectacle, leaving a lasting impression with its brutal honesty and raw performances.
Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White transform into Kevin and Kerry Von Erich, embodying their athletic prowess and emotional fragility with remarkable dedication. Efron shines with a chilling intensity, while White delivers a nuanced portrayal of a brother forever in Kevin’s shadow. The supporting cast, including Holt McCallany as the domineering patriarch Fritz, are equally impressive, weaving a tapestry of ambition, pain, and loyalty.
The Iron Claw masterfully captures the theatricality of wrestling, with gritty matches that crackle with energy. But Durkin doesn’t shy away from the dark side, exposing the physical and psychological toll it takes on these larger-than-life performers. It’s a brutal ballet, where glory dances with despair, leaving audiences shaken and pondering the cost of chasing glory.
The Iron Claw excels in its exploration of the dysfunctional Von Erich family dynamics. Fritz’s controlling grip casts a long shadow, pitting brothers against each other and fueling a relentless pursuit of success. The film delves into themes of legacy, sacrifice, and the devastating consequences of ambition unchecked by compassion.
While emotionally potent, the film’s pacing can feel sluggish at times, with certain story threads left underdeveloped. It also skims over the deeper complexities of the wrestling industry, focusing instead on the personal tragedies of the Von Erichs. For hardcore fans, this might leave a sense of missed opportunity.
The Iron Claw is a powerful and unsettling film that delivers a knockout punch of emotional drama. The stellar performances, unflinching portrayal of tragedy, and exploration of family dysfunction are undeniable strengths. However, its uneven pacing and lack of delving into the wrestling scene’s wider tapestry might leave some viewers feeling a bit bruised. Ultimately, “The Iron Claw” is a film that demands to be seen and discussed, a testament to the enduring allure of a family locked in a tragic grapple between fame and fate.
