'Unforgettable' film based on true story lands on Netflix with impressive critic reviews
The film which tells the tragic true story of the Von Erich family - a family of professional wrestlers - is now available to stream on Netflix.
A popular 2023 film, praised by viewers as an "emotional rollercoaster," is now streaming on Netflix. The wrestling drama starring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, is available to watch on the platform.
The Iron Claw tells the tragic true story of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of professional wrestlers believed to be "cursed." The biographical sports drama follows father Fritz Von Erich’s relentless drive to see one of his four sons claim the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Yet his ambition for ultimate success places immense pressure on his sons, setting off a chain of heartbreaking events.
The film stars Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, Harris Dickinson as David Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich, Lily James as Pam (Kevin’s wife) and Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich, mum of the four sons, the Manchester Evening News reports.
The Iron Claw has received widespread acclaim from critics, holding an impressive 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Rolling Stone praised Zac Efron’s performance, saying: "Efron gets at what drove Kevin: discipline, love, and fear. He anchors the movie."
Audiences have been deeply moved by the film's emotionally intense story, with many revealing they'd struggled to sleep and cried inconsolably after watching the film.
One viewer wrote: "The Iron Claw is an Absolute Masterpiece, nothing short of a cinematic triumph. A film that transcends the sports drama genre to deliver something truly extraordinary."
"I watched it last night, and it left such a profound impact it took me on an emotional rollercoaster, so much so that that I couldn't sleep afterwards as it was so thought-provoking and i had so much empathy for the family," they continued.
Another viewer kept in with the wrestling theme, writing: "A suplex to the heart, a power bomb to the soul. Yet, an unforgettable cinematic experience from start to finish as a viewer."
Many fans commented on the portrayal of the family dynamics, with one saying: "I had already known about the Von Eric family going into this film and I still wasn't prepared for how devastating it was. I was sobbing uncontrollably at the end."
"I think the movie did a great job depicting the dynamic of the whole family... the unbreakable bond among the brothers, the dad living vicariously through his sons and literally only caring about having a title in the family, the pressure and generational trauma the sons felt."
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The review concluded: "Zac Efron was incredible portraying Kevin Von Eric and the severe depression he was going through as he kept losing his brothers one by one, and having to deal with an apathetic father who held no accountability for himself."
Another viewer summed it up, penning: "This movie had me literally sobbing in the theatre," whilst a second admitted: "I am a grown man in my 30s who cried in the theatre watching this."
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