“The heavyweight tear-jerker of the year.”
This article contains affiliate links, we may earn a commission on any sales generated from it.
Prime Video has just added The Iron Claw, the brilliant sports drama that landed in cinemas last February and is based on a shocking true story.
Written and directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Nest), the movie revolves around real-life professional wrestler Kevin Von Erich (a career-best Zac Efron) and his family of fellow wrestlers, who suffered a string of tragedies – leading some to dub them cursed.
The plot synopsis for The Iron Claw reads:
“The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach (Holt McCallany, Mindhunter), the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports.”
Co-starring alongside Efron and McCallany in the movie is Harris Dickinson (Triangle of Sadness), Jeremy Allen White (The Bear), Lily James (Pam & Tommy) and Maura Tierney (The Affair), all of whom turn in brilliant performances.
It is because of them – as well as Durkin’s thoughtful and emotional retelling of the dark real-life events – that The Iron Claw doubles as both a powerful family drama and a gripping sports story.
Holding an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score, here is a sample of some of the glowing write-ups the film has received from critics.
AV Club: “Durkin’s gift is as a stylist, with his camera soaking in the grief-stricken atmosphere until it’s dripping with dread.”
The Hollywood Reporter: “As a wrenching American heartland saga, The Iron Claw is certainly compelling, and to anyone unfamiliar with the Von Erichs’ history, each jolt of fresh anguish delivered to the family will be startling.”
IndieWire: “This is the heavyweight tear-jerker of the year.”
The Messenger: “Much like Raging Bull isn’t a boxing movie, but a drama with boxing, The Iron Claw is a drama with pro wrestling.”
ScreenCrush: “A moving tribute to pro wrestling and its practitioners.”
The Iron Claw is streaming on Prime Video in the UK right now.
Related links:
- The best sci-fi thriller series of the decade unveils season two trailer
- One of the best Western movies of all time is getting a remake
- Netflix has just added one of the scariest movies of the decade
- The best action movie of 2024 is out now (and you probably haven’t heard of it)
- The first horror movie masterpiece of 2024 is here
- Everybody is talking about this new BBC detective thriller series
- One of 2023’s best hidden gem movies is finally available to stream at home
- Netflix has just added a star-studded heist movie
- This 10-year-old cult action thriller movie is still being discovered
- Netflix’s new superhero drama has us missing its 6-year-old beloved sci-fi show
- One of the coolest trilogies ever closes out with stylish new horror movie
