The Von Erich family stands as a dynasty of wrestlers, revered as icons in the world of professional wrestling. However, their lives and careers were plagued by a series of heartbreaking tragedies that seemed too relentless to be believed. The family endured an unbearable amount of loss and sorrow, with several members meeting untimely deaths and battling personal demons. In 2023, the harrowing tale of the Von Erich family was brought to the silver screen by filmmaker Sean Durkin in the acclaimed drama, The Iron Claw.
The Iron Claw delves into the so-called “curse” that seemed to haunt the family, shedding light on the tumultuous events that befell them and exploring the profound impact it had on their lives and legacy. The story of the Von Erich family serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of fame and the enduring power of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. To that, the Zac Efron-led biopic has sparked curiosity around the family and left many wondering – was the curse of the Von Erichs real? So, let’s explore that as we dissect the movie and the real, heartbreaking story behind it.
Is The Iron Claw an Accurate Depiction?
The Iron Claw is led by Zac Efron who portrays the eldest brother of the Von Erich family, Kevin. At the beginning of the movie, a framed picture of the brothers is revealed in the establishing shots of the Von Erich household in Texas. However, we are quickly made to realise that one brother is absent as the four brothers are unveiled to us. The movie focuses on Kevin, Kerry (Jeremy Allen White), David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons). The four wrestlers all live at home with their strict but loving parents Doris (Maura Tierney) and Fritz (Holt McCallany). Although stern and somewhat cold, it is clear that Fritz dotes over all of the boys, however, he announces the fact that he sees Kevin as his favourite, but states that this can change.
From the outset, The Iron Claw grips the audience as it displays the utter love these brothers had for each other. From here, the tragic events that plagued the family are unfolded at a rapid pace that feels overwhelming. However, this is extremely authentic, as all of these events actually happened. The Von Erich family were perhaps the top name in professional wrestling as the brothers were all rising to fame. Fritz himself was a former wrestler who felt he never got the shot he deserved. As a result, he lived vicariously through his sons, training them and pushing their minds and bodies to the absolute brink. However, along with their success came a plethora of sheer heartache.
David Von Erich died on February 10, 1984 after suffering an inflammation of the intestines following a wrestling match. However, the brothers all kept active in the world of professional wrestling. But sadly, more tragedy was around the corner. On August 22, 1985, Mike Von Erich underwent surgery due to an injury suffered during a wrestling match. However, after his operation, he was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome, suffering brain damage as a result. Two years later, he took his own life. The family was then struck with more devastation on February 18, 1993 when Kerry Von Erich took his own life by shooting himself in the heart with a .44 caliber pistol.
The Missing Details and Change to the Order of Events
As mentioned, Zac Efron portrays the older brother Kevin in The Iron Claw. However, he wasn’t actually the eldest of the family. In the movie, Chris Von Erich’s character is absent from the narrative despite being alive at the time of the events depicted in the film. Director Sean Durkin chose to leave him out of the movie as he felt that rendering another suicide would make the already heavy movie even more sombre in tone. Chris took his own life on September 12, 1991. Furthermore, there was actually another brother older than Chris, named Jack, but he sadly died from electrocution at the age of 6 when Chris was only one years old.
Additionally, while the notion of Kerry’s death was true, the events surrounding it in the movie were not completely accurate. In the film, Kerry struggles to come to terms with adjusting to a life in the wrestling world after having his leg amputated following a motorcycle accident. This accident happened in real life. However, in The Iron Claw, after he commits suicide, Kevin finds Kerry’s body and then tries to strangle his father. This has been confirmed to be purely fictional and added into the narrative for dramatic effect.
How The Movie Navigates the Relentless Heartache That the Von Erich Family Endured
There’s no doubt about it, The Iron Claw is a tough watch due to its overwhelming amount of death and utter heartache. However, the movie has many elements in between the devastation that elevate the film. For instance, the training scenes are overlaid with classic songs from the 80s, from bands like Rush. As well as this, Kevin’s relationship with Pam (Lily James) serves as a romantic backstory that offers relief from all of the tragedy.
How Kevin Von Erich Overcame the Family “Curse”
In The Iron Claw, the curse of the Von Erich family lies heavy throughout, with Efron’s character Kevin stating himself that the family is cursed. This leads him to distance himself from his wife and kids in fear that he will pass on the curse to his children. However, at the end of the movie, he finds comfort in his sons when they tell him “we’ll be your brother” in one of the film’s most touching moments. When speaking with The Guardian in February 2024, Kevin Von Erich stated how after the death of all five of his brothers, he was “terrified” for his kids. However, he turned to God and his faith helped him through. Saying: “that’s where prayer came in. I just know that I’ve seen enough blood, I won’t see any more.” While he did let the fear of the “curse” cripple him for so long, today, he doesn’t believe it exists.
Where Can You Watch The Iron Claw?
The Iron Claw has now ended its theatrical run after grossing $43.2 million against a $15.9 million budget, a rather lukewarm taking. However, the film is now available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD in the US. In the UK, it will be available to purchase on April 5, 2024. Additionally, the title is available for rent and purchase on major streaming platforms like Prime Video, Google Play and Apple TV+. Want to read more about wrestling movies like The Iron Claw? Here’s our guide to the top 5 wrestling movies to watch next.
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