The Iron Claw (2023)

Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White bring the tragic story of the Von Erich wrestling family to the screen for A24

The Iron Claw is a biographical sports film produced by A24. The film is based on the true story of the Von Erichs, a group of six brothers and their strict pro-wrestler father who trained them to become successful wrestlers who popularised the wrestling hold known as the ‘iron claw’. The story of the Von Erichs is a tragedy, as one brother died in an accident, one of a medical issue, and three committed suicide, with only one brother, Kevin, surviving. The film is written and directed by Sean Durkin, known for his Channel 4 drama series Southcliffe and the film The Nest.

The Iron Claw features an all-star cast playing the Von Erich brothers (of which only four are depicted in the film) including Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as Kerry, Harris Dickinson as David, and Stanley Simons as Mike. Other cast members include Holt McCallany as the ruthless patriarch Fritz Von Erich, Maura Tierney as the family matriarch Doris, Lily James as Kevin’s wife Pam Adkisson, and Maxwell Jacob Friedman as pseudo-Von Erich relation Lance. Other members of the cast portray historic professional wrestlers, including  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 The Sheik, and Ryan Nemeth as Gino Hernandez.