The story of the Von Erich dynasty is legendary among fans of professional wrestling, and that tragic tale is about to come to life on the big screen, when The Iron Claw hits theaters on December 22. Zac Efron leads a stunning cast as Kevin Von Erich, alongside Jeremy Allen White, Holt McCallany, Maura Tierney and more. First reactions to the wrestling saga had many moviegoers predicting these actors — along with writer/director/producer Sean Durkin — might see some love come awards season. Now the critics have expanded on their initial thoughts, so let’s see what they’re saying.
David Ehrlich of IndieWire says Zac Efron gives the performance of a lifetime amidst one of the year’s best ensemble casts, calling him “the heart and soul of a movie that’s overflowing with both.” Ehrlich agrees with Sean Durkin’s decision to sand down the edges of the real story and grades the movie a B+, writing:
