A24's The Iron Claw was a late release in 2023, but despite that, it immediately began to gain critical acclaim upon release. The movie is based on the famous Von Erich wrestling family, starring Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich and Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich. With a mix of sports movie action and devastating emotional lows, the film has something for everyone.

The movie was made to follow real life events relatively closely, and Kevin Von Erich gave his approval of the film. However, as can be expected from a biopic, some changes were made for the sake of entertainment. The Iron Claw isn't a documentary, but it still gives a pretty accurate depiction of the Von Erich story.

Related

8 Best A24 Horror Movies You Should Watch

A24 is a production company that's created masterful horror films such as Midsommar and The Witch, but those are just the tip of the iceberg.

The Real Life Story of The Iron Claw

The Iron Claw is based on the real life Von Erich family, a wrestling family from Texas who debuted in the 1980s. Their presence in wrestling began with the patriarch, Fritz Von Erich. Fritz was born Jack Adkisson, but took on the name Fritz Von Erich to fit into the evil German persona he used in his early days in the ring. Fritz held titles in the AWA and the WCCW, the latter of which he also served as president of.

Fritz Von Erich and his wife Doris had six children, all sons. Their first son, Jack Jr., died in an accident at the age of six. Kevin, David, Kerry, and Mike are the most well-known of the children, as they were the ones with wrestling careers. These four brothers are the main focus of the film, and are who most people think of when they think of the Von Erich family. The brothers were beloved, especially in Texas, where they were a huge part of local identity. The family's successes include David's multiple attempts at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt and Kerry's eventual claim to the title. The Von Erichs remain one of the most iconic families in all of wrestling history.

However, in spite of their outward success, tragedy plagued the family. Behind the scenes, Fritz and Doris were negligent parents. They pitted the brothers against one another, pressured them into wrestling against their wishes, and insisted they find guidance in each other rather than from them. While performing in Japan in 1984, David passed away due to enteritis. Mike had never wanted to wrestle, wishing to be a camera operator instead, but was pressured by Fritz into performing after David's death. He later suffered from toxic shock syndrome during a shoulder surgery. He was physically unable to wrestle after this, later taking his own life by overdosing on tranquilizers. The final brother to pass was Kerry. Severely depressed due to his divorce and the loss of his brothers, Kerry shot himself in the chest outside his parent's ranch.

However, there was actually another Von Erich not represented in the movie. The youngest brother, Chris Von Elrich, was left out of The Iron Claw. Unlike his brothers, Chris never had a successful career as a wrestler. He was short in stature, had brittle bones, and suffered from asthma. Chris attempted to continue wrestling, but was never able to compete against athletic opponents or match the success of his brothers. At the age of 21, he was devastated by his lack of success and the loss of his brothers, and he took his own life.

On the surface, it appears that Chris could have been excluded as his lack of wrestling history didn't fit into the narrative. However, it seems that director Sean Durkin had planned to include Chris and ended up cutting him because adding yet another death made the film too sad and repetitive. Speaking of Chris' presence to Variety, Durkin said:

The Iron Claw Ending, Explained

The Iron Claw is, at its core, a movie about love being more important than winning. The Von Erich brothers are constantly set against each other by their parents, brought up to view each other as competitors in order to make them stronger. At the same time, the brothers are also rebuffed by their parents when they need emotional support, and told to seek comfort in the other siblings.

As a result of this confusing upbringing, the Von Erich brothers become incredibly close to one another. Their moments of jealousy are just that: moments. They are the best of friends, and prioritize their bond and time together above everything else. Kerry's return home shows off the difference between the brothers and their parents very plainly. Their parents are authority figures, to be treated with reverence and apology. The other brothers, on the other hand, are family members to love and embrace.

Kerry is the final brother to die, and his suicide note simply says that he is going to be with his brothers. After his death, the next scene takes place in the afterlife. It takes the form of the lake by which the Von Erichs have spent their lives, and Kerry is greeted by his other deceased brothers. The boys embrace and share in the joy of being free from their pained existences. Kerry asks where Jack Jr. is, and the brothers he knew part to reveal the eldest, still appearing as the six-year-old child he was when he died.

The meaning of Jack Jr. still being a child is to say that hope is not gone for the Von Erichs. They have not lost their opportunity to know each other, and their lives have not been stolen by their father. Free of the Von Erich curse and of the endless pressures of life, the brothers can live together in peace. In death, they have the chance to be the family they were always meant to be.

Meanwhile, Kevin, the last living brother, shows that he will live on in his brother's memory. He watches his own sons play and breaks down, attracting their attention. The boys comfort their father, telling him that it is okay to cry and that since he misses his brothers so much, they will be brothers to him. Kevin hugs his children and tells them he loves them, then gets up to play with them.

In his sons, Kevin sees redemption. He can be the kind of father he never had, one who loves his children unconditionally and shows them that he does. And in their comfort, he can have that same love back. The film ends with the understanding that Kevin and his parents will part ways. Kevin and Fritz's final interaction is Fritz accusing Kevin of failing to save his brother as Kevin nearly strangles him to death. Later, Kevin defies his father's wishes by selling their company, and offhandedly says that he's a difficult man.

The Iron Claw follows a common trope in biopics and ends with some text about the real life ending of the characters. The text here reveals that all of Kevin's children came to live on his ranch with their families. Kevin has defied the upbringing of his parents. He has lived in his brother's honor and built a family where everyone is loved and sticks together.

Related

The Lighthouse Ending, Explained

The Lighthouse is a complex and thought-provoking film that has an enigmatic, haunting ending. Here's what it means.