The Iron Claw (2023)

The Iron Claw slams onto the screen with the bravado of a piledriver, promising a heart-pounding saga of the Von Erich brothers, a dynasty forged in the fiery crucible of professional wrestling. And deliver it does, in spades. But like an over-the-top bodyslam, the impact leaves a lingering ache of missed potential, a sense that the film could have soared higher than it does.

Set against the neon-soaked backdrop of 1980s wrestling, the film grapples with the brothers’ meteoric rise and tragic downfall, their lives a rollercoaster of spandex and shattered dreams. Zac Efron, sporting an impressive physique, embodies Kevin Von Erich, the golden boy wrestling with the ghosts of his father’s (a chilling Holt McCallany) ambition and the shadow of his late brother, David. Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickinson turn in nuanced performances as Kerry and Mike, each wrestling their own demons in the unforgiving ring.

Director Sean Durkin masterfully captures the electric energy of the wrestling world, the roar of the crowd bleeding into the pulsating score. But while the action sequences are undeniably impressive, they sometimes overshadow the emotional depth of the story. The film struggles to balance the spectacle with the quiet, haunting undertones of family dysfunction, leaving some characters underdeveloped and their motivations murky.

Thematically, The Iron Claw explores the dark side of the American dream, where success is chased with reckless abandon, often at the cost of one’s soul. It delves into the corrosive influence of fame, the suffocating grip of legacy, and the devastating consequences of pushing oneself beyond the breaking point. These themes resonate, leaving us pondering the price of ambition and the weight of family expectation.

However, the film falters in its execution. The pacing is uneven, occasionally veering into melodrama, and the dialogue, though peppered with witty one-liners, lacks the raw punch needed to truly connect with the characters’ emotional turmoil. The ending, while poignant, feels rushed, leaving some questions frustratingly unanswered. And the element of magical realism that is inserted near the end doesn’t cohere with the tone of the rest of the movie.

Like a wrestler fighting past their prime, The Iron Claw delivers flashes of brilliance but ultimately struggles to maintain its momentum. It’s a film with undeniable heart and muscle, but one that ultimately falls short of its dramatic potential. Still, for fans of wrestling or those captivated by the tragic allure of a family teetering on the edge, it’s worth stepping into the ring for a compelling, if not entirely satisfying, bout.

(In cinemas — check your local movie guide for show times.)