The Iron Claw

Digging beyond the muscles and machismo, The Iron Claw is hardly revelatory for those familiar with the Von Erich professional wrestling legacy.

This stylish and evocative biopic is first and foremost a tribute to the family’s talent as athletes and entertainers. Yet it also vividly examines the pitfalls of fame and how toxic masculinity rips apart their bond.

Capturing the mythical appeal of the sport while remaining grounded in tragedy and triumph, the film is a sprawling saga of heroes and villains that milks a winning formula.

In the 1980s, Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany) is a retired champion managing a fledgling Dallas circuit struggling to stay afloat. Fortunately, he has four willing proteges in his own home, beginning with oldest son Kevin (Zac Efron).

Fritz’s overbearing parental style is rooted in bitterness and tough love. “The world keeps taking from us and I’m tired of it,” he explains. “The more of us in it together, the better.”

Kevin’s rise to prominence is followed by younger brothers Kerry (Jeremy Allen White) and David (Harris Dickinson), while lanky musician Mike (Stanley Simons) is persuaded to join them. They team up in the ring and provide emotional support outside of it.

However, the pressure of Fritz’s expectations and the demands of stardom cause the dynasty to unravel in heartbreaking fashion. Are they victims of fate or have they been pushed too far?

The film finds its emotional anchor in Kevin’s story as a survivor burdened with regret over the inability to win the one fight that mattered most. Efron’s understated portrayal mixes external toughness with repressed guilt and grief.

The sibling camaraderie among the ensemble cast feels genuine, generating emotional depth away from the mat. As Fritz, McCallany (“Mindhunter”) brings complexity to a domineering monster with blood on his hands.

The embellished screenplay by director Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene) tends to oversimplify the family dynamics for a conventional rise-and-fall narrative framework. Still, it provides an affectionately nostalgic look at the inner workings of grassroots pro wrestling during a pivotal time for its growth on a national scale.

The sequences in the ring are staged with intensity and visual flair, while the film — named for Fritz’s trademark finishing move — also captures the physical and psychological torture that comes with success. Established fans will be thrilled, even if The Iron Claw stops short of the top rope.

Rated R, 132 minutes.