Netflix fans broke down in tears at a ‘heartbreaking and messy’ film based on a true story with an all-star cast.
The Iron Claw, directed and written by Sean Durkin, was released back in 2023, but is about to find a new audience on the popular streaming service.
Viewers will be able to watch the sports movie on Netflix from August 9, 2025.
The blockbuster is based on the lives of the Von Erich brothers and their careers as wrestlers, under the training of their dad.
‘The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s,’ IMDb’s synopsis reads.
It stars the likes of Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, Jeremy Allen White as Kerry Von Erich, Harrison Dickinson as David Von Erich, and Maura Tierney as Doris Von Erich.
Stanley Simons plays Mike Von Erich, Michael J Harney is Bill Merce, Holt McCallany plays Jack Von Erich and Lily James as Pam Adkisson.
Many have rushed to share their rave reviews about the film.
Rolling Stone’s David Fear said: ‘It’s a messy movie about messy lives, occasionally in ways you wish it wasn’t. But The Iron Claw is also a story of redemption… That’s partially why Efron’s performance is the one that sticks with you.’
Meanwhile Screen Rant’s Mae Abdulbaki added: ‘Zac Efron really gives it his all in this heartbreaking wrestling film about the Von Erich family. The biopic details the complexity of the family.’
‘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,’ The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney wrote.
The Irish Times’ Tara Brady said: ‘The Iron Claw looks and feels like a prestreaming TV movie – and not just any old TV movie but a strangely entertaining, darkly tragic, completely gripping TV movie.’
Others have rushed online to other websites to give their thoughts.
The movie has got a whopping 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.
One said on the critic site: ‘A tragic story, told impeccably well. More wrestling biopics please!’
‘Didn’t think this would be one of the best films I’ve seen, really surprised me… No popcorn needed! Maybe just tissues.’
‘An absolutely fantastic film that had to be dialled down to make it believable.
‘Tragic family story that was worse in real life but too unbelievable to put all in the movie.’
‘Phenominal movie. Amazing performances from the actors. I’ve lost people close to me so I really felt this one. Truly beautiful movie.’
‘Wow. Incredible acting from all performers. It’s more about family, masculinity, grief, loss, and mental health than wrestling. One of the best movies I’ve seen in years actually.
‘Tragic, true story, heartbreaker of a film.’
‘Ultimately, heart wrenching.’
High School Musical legend Zac previously opened up about the work he had to put into his physique ahead of filming with Deadline.
The actor said: ‘Nothing could prepare me for the wrestling. The physical preparation and the training, that’s something that I’ve always found very interesting.
‘I’ve always admired people’s transformations, in particular for movie roles. I just find that dedication fascinating and special when I see it.
‘So in training for this, I got to train essentially for my championship, my belt match. It all came down to, how precise is my training? How dedicated am I to this? How hard can I push?
‘I think I shed a skin somewhere in those seven months where Kevin was really at the wheel. It felt honest, it felt real.
‘I felt like I was physically there; I felt mentally there, as a direct result of the training, and then from there, the wrestling, surprisingly, was fun.
‘It, in many ways, built the bond that we had as brothers for the movie.’
