Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature, thoughtful true story of 1980s wrestling brothers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Iron Claw
What's the Story?
In THE IRON CLAW, Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany) is a retired pro wrestler (famous for his "iron claw" move), who's raised his sons to become athletes, too. It's the late 1970s, and Kevin (Zac Efron), the oldest, is on the brink of getting a shot at the title belt. David (Harris Dickinson) is more naturally gifted at performing and ringside banter, but he doesn't want to step over his older brother. Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) is an Olympic discus thrower whose career is derailed by the boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games; he comes home to join his brothers in the ring. And Mike (Stanley Simons), the youngest, is more interested in making music but doesn't want to ignite his father's rage. The boys' mother, Doris (Maura Tierney), quietly holds things together while cooking mountains of food for her muscular boys. Over the course of a few years, a series of unlucky breaks and tragedies befalls the family. Kevin begins to believe that the family is cursed, threatening his relationship with his wife, Pam (Lily James), and his own kids.
Is It Any Good?
Writer/director Sean Durkin tells this incredible true story with welcome introspection and a soft touch that takes its time and finds an undercurrent of emotion. Biographical movies that take place over a span of time often get lost in the blocky, chapter-like telling of what happened, forgetting to imagine what it felt like. The Iron Claw, even with its unwieldy (and somewhat truncated) story, avoids that flat, chunky approach and gets it just right. So many moments that could have become clichéd are instead given unexpected depth. For example, Tierney's character could have been lost in the shuffle among the men, but she gets a couple of small scenes that open an entire inner world for her.
And even while Durkin provides plenty of wrestling action, he never passes up a chance to show character depth amongst the pummeling; whether it's a look or a small exchange, these moments contain volumes. Viewers get a strong sense of the family's bond, too, expressed by strong performances from both the newcomers and Efron, who has become a genuine pro. Even the plot, which relies somewhat on random misfortunes, starts to feel organic; indeed, it takes on greater and greater significance, raising questions of destiny and control. How much can we really direct the flow of our lives? But as tragic as it is, The Iron Claw finally reaches out to find hints of forgiveness and compassion. It's an unforgettable movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Iron Claw's violence. How does it compare to what you might see in an action movie? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How does the movie handle the subject of death by suicide? What resources are available to help both kids and adults?
How are smoking, drinking, and drug use portrayed? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
How do characters demonstrate teamwork? Does the brothers' bond make them a good team? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 22, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : February 13, 2024
- Cast : Zac Efron , Jeremy Allen White , Harris Dickinson
- Director : Sean Durkin
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 132 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, suicide, some sexuality and drug use
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate