Does “The Iron Claw” Do Justice to the Von Erich Family Legacy?
Film trailers are supposed to whet our appetite, offering a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come. Yet, for fans eagerly awaiting the December 2023 release of The Iron Claw, the trailer has prompted more questions than answers. Based on one of wrestling’s most famous families, the Von Erichs, the biographical sports film starring Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White is raising eyebrows—and not just for its dramatized body slams.
“The Iron Claw plans to look at how the Von Erichs rose to heights and the tragedies they endured, but the official trailer has raised questions as to how faithful it will be to the realities of these tragedies.”
The Story Behind the Wrestling Ring
Set against the backdrop of sweat, tears, and the roar of the crowd, The Iron Claw centers on Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany) and his sons’ journey in the wrestling world. Wrestling is more than a sport; it’s a spectacle, a drama, and in the case of the Von Erich family, it was a family business that saw its fair share of highs, lows, and heartbreaks. Zac Efron takes on the role of Kevin Von Erich, the last surviving member of the clan.
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Von Erich
What struck fans as particularly odd was the glaring absence of Chris Von Erich, the youngest member of the family. In one scene in the trailer, Fritz mentions his sons in descending order of favoritism, blatantly leaving out Chris.
“In a dinner scene, the family patriarch, Fritz Von Erich (Holt McCallany) mentions that Kerry was his favorite son ‘then Kev, then David, then Mike’, omitting any reference to his youngest son, Chris.”
Chris, born Christopher Adkisson, had a short-lived but passionate wrestling career. Starting in 1990, he wrestled in tag team matches alongside his brothers. Although health issues such as brittle bones and asthma plagued his career, Chris’ absence from the trailer has wrestling fans puzzled and concerned.
“He started wrestling in 1990, in tag team matches with his brothers and he received strong support from fans. However, Chris suffered from health problems including brittle bones and asthma that impacted his wrestling career; fell into severe depression and died by suicide in 1991 at the age of 21.”
What Leaving Out Chris Could Mean for the Film
Wrestling promoter Jim Cornette summed it up best in a documentary interview with Vice:
“How all Chris wanted was to be like his brothers and carry on his family’s legacy.”
The Iron Claw’s decision to omit Chris could have a ripple effect on its storytelling and how audiences perceive the film’s authenticity. It’s a puzzle piece that fans feel is missing, and its absence raises questions about what else might be glossed over or re-written for the sake of narrative economy or dramatic effect.
“Many have raised concerns about how the movie intends to portray the family’s story and if it intends to make changes to any more real events that impacted the Von Erich family.”
As we inch closer to the film’s December release, one question looms large: Will The Iron Claw capture the true essence of the Von Erich family’s wrestling legacy, or will it be pinned down by controversial storytelling choices? Only time will tell.
