The One Must-Stream Movie You Can’t Miss This Weekend (November 22-23)

Casual wrestling fans might recognize only a few iconic figures in the sport, such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, Hulk Hogan, and Ric Flair.

However, in Texas during the 1980s, the Von Erich family reigned supreme and were beloved by the crowds.

Director Sean Durkin brings the true story of the Von Erichs and the tragedies that befell them to life in his film, The Iron Claw.

Now available on Prime Video, The Iron Claw is our top movie recommendation for this weekend at Watch With Us.

‘The Iron Claw’ Captures the Essence of ‘80s Wrestling

This film was made on a budget of $15.9 million, limiting its ability to fully recreate the grandeur of World Class Championship Wrestling events at the Sportatorium or Texas Stadium. Instead, The Iron Claw focuses on capturing the essence of professional wrestling in Texas. At a time when most viewers believed in the authenticity of wrestling, the Von Erichs were viewed as real-life superheroes, drawing large crowds in Dallas and beyond.

While they don’t play major roles, wrestling legends like Ric Flair (Aaron Dean Eisenberg), Michael P.S. Hayes (Brady Pierce), Bruiser Brody (Cazzey Louis Cereghino), The Sheik (Chavo Guerrero Jr.), Harley Race (Kevin Anton), and Gino Hernandez (Ryan Nemeth) make appearances. Though these names may not resonate with non-fans, modern wrestling owes much to these pioneers.

The Cast Delivers Outstanding Performances as the Von Erichs

Among the cast of The Iron Claw, Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich and Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich truly shine. Portraying the most renowned Von Erich brothers, they played pivotal roles in the wrestling world. Efron and White effectively capture the emotional depth of their characters during the film’s most intense moments.

Holt McCallany delivers a remarkable performance as their father, Jack “Fritz” Von Erich, who inspired his sons to pursue wrestling. Additionally, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons deserve praise for their roles as the other Von Erich brothers, David Von Erich and Mike Von Erich, respectively. Although their screen time is limited compared to Efron and White, they make a strong impact.

‘The Iron Claw’ Is a Deeply Moving Yet Hopeful Narrative

Some critics have labeled The Iron Claw as an anti-sports film, as it does not tell a tale of victory over challenges. Instead, it portrays the Von Erichs as victims of a succession of devastating tragedies that ultimately mar their wrestling legacy, leaving those who remain to grapple with grief and loss.

The film omits a fifth brother, Chris Von Erich, from its narrative and reassigns parts of his story to Mike due to the multitude of misfortunes the family faced. Discussions about a Von Erich curse arose, and though it’s understandable, the reality is much more intricate. Nevertheless, The Iron Claw concludes on a more optimistic note for the surviving Von Erich brothers, offering a glimmer of hope amid their tumultuous history.

The Iron Claw is now streaming on Prime Video.