A Modern Day Warrior

A24

Professional wrestling is a virtual treasure trove of interesting stories. The business naturally leads to fascinating personalities and stories so over-the-top they strain credibility. But while we all know of the literally larger-than-life tales of Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, what about the lesser known stars? The working class people who put their bodies through the gauntlet, all for the cheers of a small but dedicated crowd of local fans? This is exactly what we get with The Iron Claw, the story of a wrestling family that couldn't be more tragic if it was taken from some television melodrama. But it all really happened and it is heartbreaking.

This is the story of Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron) who, along with his brothers, works tirelessly trying to make a name for himself and his regional Texas wrestling promotion while under the domineering eye of his father (Holt McCallany). As the Von Erich brothers' hard work begins to pay off in the form of title shots and adoring crowds, their day-to-day lives are mired by injuries, addiction, and death.

The first act of the film has a laidback "hangout" feel similar to a Richard Linklater film. This works to familiarize us with the brothers before the tragedies strike. When they do, it almost becomes too much to bear. Writer/director Sean Durkin has an unenviable job of telling possibly the saddest story in an industry riddled with sad stories. They all hit so fast that it becomes hard to process, but it builds up beautifully to the film's devastating final scene. Wrestling fans will find much to appreciate in this seldom told story, but non-fans may find it too sad to handle.

Written and directed by Sean Durkin // Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Holt McCallany, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney, Stanley Simons, Lily James, Cazzey Louis Careghino, Kevin Anton, Maxwell Friedman, Brady Pierce, and Aaron Dean Eisenberg // A24 // 132 minutes // Rated R