The Iron Claw is a 2023 biographical sports drama film written and directed by Sean Durkin.
The film is based on the true story of the Von Erich brothers, a family of professional wrestlers who struggled with tragedy and personal demons in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.
The film premiered in the United States on December 22, 2023, and later in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2024. It received a significant box office response, grossing $42.7 million worldwide, with $35.1 million coming from the domestic market and $7.6 million from international markets. The film was made on a budget of $15.9 million, making it a commercial success.
The film features a talented cast, including Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Holt McCallany, and Lily James. The score was composed by Richard Reed Parry, with an original song titled "Live That Way Forever" by Parry and Laurel Sprengelmeyer. The film also features several popular songs from the 1980s, including "Don't Do Me Like That" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" by Blue Öyster Cult, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver, and "Tom Sawyer" by Rush.
The Iron Claw received widespread critical acclaim, with a 89% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 73 out of 100 on Metacritic. The film was praised for its performances, direction, and portrayal of the intense world of professional wrestling. The film also received several awards and nominations, including a top ten film and best ensemble cast from the National Board of Review, and nominations for best stunt coordinator from the Austin Film Critics Association and Houston Film Critics Society.