Iron Claw, written and directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), follows the Von Erich family’s wrestling dynasty in the 1980’s. Based on true events, the film showcases their success inside the ring, and the domino of tragedies that impacted the Von Erichs, and their wrestling legacy.

Kevin (Zac Efron) is an up and coming wrestler along with is brothers David (Harris Dickinson), and Mike (Stanley Simons). Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) eventually joins the family business after the United States boycott of the 1980 Olympics.

Driven by their overbearing father Fritz (Holt McCallany) the dream the Von Erichs was to bring the championship belt home to the family. Fritz is one of the key reasons the brothers have an unbreakable bond and why they’re so successful in the ring, even when their relationship with their father is a little unsteady.

The central character in the film is Kevin who is portrayed wonderfully by Zac Efron. The film centers on how Kevin is living through this time in his life. Efron gives the best performance of his career. He’s in incredible shape and looks natural in the ring. Outside the ring, he delivers every emotional beat on his face. Every frustration, joy, or sadness feels real. Efron may not get nominated but he belongs on the Academy Award short list.

Sean Durkin made some decisions about what to add/not add in this Von Erich saga. Notably to most wrestling fans is the elimination of one Von Erich brother. The other decision made was to not delve deep into the family. The film focuses on the brothers, their parents (including a great performance from Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich), and the relationship with Kevin and his wife Pam (Lily James).

The truth of what happened to the Von Erichs is tragic. The film does its best to not focus too much on the tragedy and explore themes like purpose and family. Durkin does his best to showcase those elements with Kevin being the character caught in the middle of a chaotic storm as he watches tragedy after tragedy befall his family.

Moviegoers will enjoy a well-made biography that has some emotional beats and gripping stories. Wrestling fans may be looking for a film that offers a little more wrestling, especially the business side as wrestling territories faded away or were bought out. The film could’ve explored just how big wrestling was in the 80’s and the rise of WWF (now WWE) at that time. Or a deeper look into the Von Erich family and what a phenomenon they were in the 80’s.

The best sequence in the film is the Ric Flair (Aaron Dean Eisenberg) match. The sequence includes a full monologue from Ric Flair. Eisenberg captures Flair’s swagger, cadence, and mannerisms. It’s an incredible scene that will grab audience’s attention.

Iron Claw is a wonderful film that’s beautifully acted and a story that’s complicated and even more complicated to tell. It could’ve used one or two more wrestling sequences or more promos like the Flair one to showcase the types of characters that captivated wrestling fans in the 80’s. The film is worth seeing for Efron’s performance alone and the nostalgic ride through wrestling in the 1980’s.

Grade: B+