'The Iron Claw' Is An Incredible And Unbelievably Sad Movie: REVIEW

"The Iron Claw" is an outstanding film, but it's brutal to sit through at points.

The incredibly popular movie about the Von Erich wrestling family recently started streaming on Max, and after missing its theatrical run, I knew I had to check it out.

The film follows the incredible true story of the Von Erich family's rise to the top of the wrestling world. Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harrison Dickinson, Maura Tierney and Holt McCallany all have starring roles. Efron plays Kevin Von Erich, White plays Kerry Von Erich and Dickinson plays David Von Erich.

It's an outrageously loaded cast. I couldn't wait to fire it up, and I was blown away by what I watched unfold for more than two hours.

"The Iron Claw" is an emotionally devastating film.

Generally speaking, I like to avoid spoilers, but that's kind of impossible in a situation like this because it's a true story that's been covered for decades.

Now, I know nothing about pro wrestling and I knew nothing about the Von Erich family going into the movie. I was completely blind, which is why I think it was so brutal to sit through.

Wrestling fans know how this saga ends. Fritz Von Erich and his wife Doris had six sons, and five of them met tragic ends, including three suicides. Only two of these are shown in the movie.

"The Iron Claw" is a powerful movie, but also emotionally devastating. (Credit: A24)

Viewers start with the rise of the Von Erich family as small-time wrestlers into international superstars. However, the family simply seemed cursed, and that brings me to the meat of the review.

The rise and fall of the Von Erich family is captivating, but even more so, it's downright tragic. Young men desperate to entertain and please ended up killing themselves or dying from freak incidents.

Of the six sons, only Kevin is still alive. What are the statistical odds one family would have five sons die from suicide, cancer and other health complications before a single one hit the age of 34. 

"The Iron Claw" is tough to sit through at times. (Credit: A24)

I don't want to ruin too much because people will finally get the chance to stream it on Max, but damn, it's just tough to watch. The final 20 minutes are *BRUTAL* for anyone with a functioning heart and soul. How could one family experience so much pain, trauma and death?

It takes a lot for most guys to get emotionally attached to a movie. A film like "Black Hawk Down" gets it done, but truly moving movies for your average dude are few and far between. I can promise "The Iron Claw" will get the job done. It's every bit as entertaining as it is horrible as the tragedies unfold. Give it a shot on Max, and hit me with your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.