A24 continues to take Hollywood by storm with an impressive spread of award-winning films. Some say that The Iron Claw — about the real-life Von Erich brothers who made pro-wrestling history back in the ’80s — is the best A24 film to date. There’s no denying that its powerful and heartbreaking storytelling will leave you shedding tears and fist-pumping in celebration from time to time while watching it for the first time.
Interestingly, the opening title card reads “Inspired by a true story,” versus “based” on one. Perhaps that’s because there is actually another brother in the Von Erich family, who isn’t depicted in the film. In terms of the characters we do see on-screen, however, here’s a round-up of the best performances from A24’s knockout film (no pun intended).
8 Ric Flair
Played by Aaron Dean Eisenberg
This is a fun one. Millennials may have first been introduced to Ric Flair via Killer Mike’s hit song. But before all that, Flair was an iconic, colorful wrestler who went head to head with Kevin Von Erich (Efron) decades ago and won. Aaron Dean Eisenberg plays said wrestler in The Iron Claw with utmost fury and a splash of humor.
7 Doris Von Erich
Played by Maura Tierney
In a film dominated by masculinity, the reliably superb Maura Tierney more than holds her own as the Von Erich matriarch. From the opening flashback scene showing dad Fritz as a working pro wrestler to the later scenes depicting Doris as a more self-confident individual who returns to her passion for painting, it’s a lovely character arc in this tragic tale. Moms across the globe might just relate to Doris’ story, even if they aren’t surrounded by wrestling hunks.
6 Mike Von Erich
Played by Stanley Simons
Mike is the last of the brothers (depicted in The Iron Claw, at least) to try his hand at wrestling. But first, we see the food-loving musician belt out some tunes at a college party that he and his brothers sneak off to. This is a powerful scene because Mike (played wonderfully by Stanley Simons) displays inspired talent here, crooning as he jams with his garage band. Even the brothers, who seemed to be interested in nothing except athletics, are impressed by Mike’s music.
5 David Von Erich
Played by Harris Dickinson
You’ll recognize Harris Dickinson from acclaimed projects like FX’s A Murder at the End of the World and the film Triangle of Sadness. The Iron Claw is perhaps his best, though he’s stellar in each. Here, he’s all bulked up as David Von Erich, the first of the brothers to shoot his shot at the world wrestling title, even if his body is slowly betraying him in mysterious ways. His colorful antics in front of the crowds and cameras are a hoot to watch, especially opposite the more reserved Kevin (Efron).
4 Pam
Played by Lily James
Just one look at Lily James, and you won’t be surprised her character’s name is Pam. The well-spoken working girl has the hots for the shy, hulking mass that is Kevin, and they go on to start a family together. Pam is an empowered woman, working her own stressful job while raising their boys. It’s a role James was born to play, perhaps reminding us of her sweet turn in Edgar Wright’s hit film Baby Driver.
3 Kerry Von Erich
Played by Jeremy Allen White
Fresh off two seasons of FX’s groundbreaking comedy series The Bear — which has been cleaning up this awards season, to put it mildly — Jeremy Allen White first became a fan-favorite as Lip in Showtime’s riotous show Shameless. In The Iron Claw, he plays Kerry Von Erich, a more serious, melancholic persona, a discus player-turned-wrestler who plays with fire and then some, leading to a most unfortunate twist of fate.
Kerry is the one who actually wins the coveted trophy belt (even though it’s Efron’s Kevin who’s hoisting it in the air in the film’s promo poster), but then it’s all downhill from there for the poor man. White certainly looks the part, and we can’t wait to see the new Calvin Klein model in more big-screen, dramatic projects.
2 Fritz Von Erich
Played by Holt McCallany
Holt McCallany has been in the acting game for decades. Anyone else remember his character leading the “his name is Robert Paulson” chant in Fight Club? Years later, he had a starring role in another Fincher project, Netflix’s acclaimed series Mindhunter. And more recently, he plays the Iron Claw himself, the patriarch of the Von Erich family in the new film.
By the end, Fritz isn’t exactly the most likable of the bunch, but the never-better McCallany utterly becomes this “family man” as he balances family, business, and his love for the sport of wrestling. You can’t help but laugh uncomfortably — for example, when Fritz blatantly tells son Mike that he likes his brothers more than him. “But that can change,” the daunting father then says.
1 Kevin Von Erich
Played by Zac Efron
“Transformative” doesn’t exactly do justice to the High School Musical man that is Zac Efron, particularly when it comes to his portrayal of Kevin Von Erich in The Iron Claw. He’s the reason you’re left crying in the movie theater by the end, especially when his sons try to comfort the saddened Kevin as he reflects on the brothers he’s lost. “We can be your brothers,” the kids say to Kevin as they play in the yard.
Efron is almost unrecognizable here, in more ways than one, and it certainly works for the battered, steel-built wrestling icon that he portrays. While certainly more animated in past movies of his, Efron reminds us that he can tackle dramatic storytelling with ease.
Buy The Iron Claw on AppleTV, Google Play, or Prime Video
