For those who know the story behind Texas professional wrestling icons the Von Erich family, The Iron Claw will serve as a poignant reminder of what they achieved despite the tragedies that resulted.
While it centres around four brothers as they strive to become wrestling champions, led by their former athlete father Fritz, the story is a complex examination of mental health, toxic masculinity and resilience.
Zac and Jeremy play brothers.
(Image: Supplied)The siblings enjoyed great success in the ring, but the “Von Erich Curse” led to the early death of five out of six brothers. (One brother is mentioned in the film, but shown only briefly, while the other was omitted from the story.)
Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons play brothers Kevin, Kerry, David and Mike, with Holt McCallany and Maura Tierney as their parents Fritz and Doris.
Zac and Jeremy tell TV WEEK the film spoke to them on several levels.
“I’ve always enjoyed leaving it all on the field, but you have to sit back and take stock,” Zac, 36, says. “These guys were driven to greatness by their father in a somewhat overbearing way. While it led them to greatness in wrestling, it wasn’t the most well-rounded way to grow up. It was tough.”
“These guys were driven to greatness by their father.”
(Image: Supplied)For Jeremy, who just won a Golden Globe Award for his role in comedy drama series The Bear, says while the themes of darkness were ever-present, he found a way to access what was needed to portray Kerry.
“There wasn’t anything specific for me, but the idea of a loss or wanting to be accepted and validated is so human and universal,” the 32-year-old says. “During filming, we were dealing with all of that and walking this tightrope.
“I was comfortable enough with these guys to stay close to the feelings I needed for the role. When I’m in a new place and isolated in the experience, I can stay close to what’s called for. But the film makes us ask what’s necessary to succeed and necessary to persevere.”
To portray the wrestling stars, the actors both put on muscle and weight by eating lots of heavy fats and carbohydrates in addition to maintaining an intense exercise regimen.
“The wigs and wardrobes definitely helped separate myself from the character,” Jeremy explains. “Sometimes I’d catch myself in the mirror and get nervous, but it helps.” [Laughs]
Zac, who put on seven kilograms of muscle, concurs, adding that it was the best – but most challenging – way to prepare for a role.
“And it shows,” he says of the physical transformations on screen. “I’ve admired actors who commit to those transformations and always wondered if I could do it. I’m proud that I could – but it was hard – really hard.”
