I really LOVED this movie. I spent the last hour crying. Zac Efron deserves a nomination at the very least.

@monkeyXmonkey

6 ай бұрын

Agreed, we're getting all this controversy about Barbie snubs at the Oscars but honestly Zac Efron not getting an Oscar nomination at the very least is the worst snub.

I grew up in Texas in the 70s and 80s and these guys were our heroes. They even came to our small town and wrestled at our stock yards. It was very sad watching their downfall. It all really confused me as a kid. Why is this happening? Can't wait to see the movie. When I was at the University of North Texas in the 90s I delivered Chinese food to Kevin and Pam on a regular basis. They were super nice to me. Good review.

4:21 Chris Von Erich being cut out of the movie really bothered me; especially knowing he passed away thinking that he could never measure up to his brothers. His story deserved to be told along with everyone else. It just breaks my heart.

@TheKristianHarloff

7 ай бұрын

Yeah I just really didn't like the explanation on why he was cut..

@MissyT72

6 ай бұрын

I'm from Texas and was a teen in the 80's. We all loved the Von Erich's and I agree with you. I hate that Chris wasn't in the movie. His story deserves to be told.

@wp9847

6 ай бұрын

Ditto!

This movie really did a number on me especially the ending😢😢😢 I didn't know a lot about the Von Erichs but I did know something's but this movie is fantastic in one of the best of the year and Zac Efron should get a nomination for best actor at least❤

My most anticipated film of the year. Im seeing it Thursday. Kristian, MJF plays "Lance Von Erich." "Lance", wasn't an actual Von Erich. He was brought in so the fans had another Von Erich family member to get behind. But everyone, including myself, knew that family so well from TV & wrestling magazines who always covered them, he wasn't actually related! Hence why he disappeared so fast.

@rockinrj87

8 ай бұрын

MJF has seen basically got cut down to a 30 second cameo

@SuperMirer

8 ай бұрын

Lance was actually a Dallas high school football star. Everyone in Dallas new who he was. It was stupid. They at least could have brought in someone from outside the area

@joeparedes3904

8 ай бұрын

Bringing Lance was not a good obviously! The crowd did not embrace him at all, and were not fooled that he was a Von Erich cousin. He just disappeared about 2 months or so later with no explanation which was for the better.

@puttmanftw765

8 ай бұрын

He’s in a blink and you miss it scene

@Jeffro5564

8 ай бұрын

Duh hahahaha I bet you just read that in Wikipedia and not a real von Erich fan hahahahahahaha

Damn dude. Just clicked on your review. Never saw your videos before. I lost my brother as well to suicide in 2022. Everyday is a struggle. Me and brother where very close. I feel your pain. Thanks for review. Looking forward to this movie.

@TheKristianHarloff

8 ай бұрын

Thank you for checking it out and I am sorry for your loss.

As a Texan I remember how big the Von Erich's were back in the day. I thought I knew that story but man, that was a rough movie to watch. I hope that Zac Efron gets an Oscar nom. Great movie.

It reminds me of my childhood when I was a kid in the 80's and I was glued to the TV watching the wrestling matches. The Von Erich family was my favorite. It was so sad to hear about the tragedies that befell their family. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie.

The Von Erich’s were a big part of my childhood. For some reason I feel I owe it to them to watch this movie.

David Von Erich was my uncle, by marriage. He married my mom’s sister. from my understanding they don’t mention David being married. I know that nobody from A24 or anything affiliated with the movie reached out to my aunt. I was very young when David died, so I don’t have any memories with him, but I did grow up near the family and it’s so tragic. Glad they’re getting that story told though.

@ratgenerationx2946

8 ай бұрын

This must be wild for your family to see this movie coming out. Is everyone going to go see it opening night?

@jennylee2269

7 ай бұрын

This is going to be wild for all of us that grew up with this family in our little 2-A town of Lake Dallas, that knew them as our friends and classmates, knew their family and their tragic story, knew the highs and the lows this family endured. I think we all are hoping that they will be portrayed in a good light and not made out to be monsters or some other images that simply wasn't true. I don't know of anyone that was close friends with any of the boys that were consulted by people from the producers of this movie. So the whole community that existed in the 70's, 80's and 90's is a little nervous about the movie and give our support to Kevin, Pam and their children as this movie is released. @@ratgenerationx2946

@melissahanna4327

7 ай бұрын

I watched the Von Erichs when I was in high school. I even got to go to a match. Back in the day, Kevin was the only one (that I remember) being "allowed" to be married. David, Kerry, & Mike were always portrayed as being single. In the late 80s they revealed that Kerry was married, from what I remember. And, for the record, David was married 2x. He even had a baby daughter who died during her infancy. Loved all of them very much

The actor who plays the dad in this movie Holt McCallany is so good as an actor. Just last night I finished binge watching all of Mindhunter season 1 and 2. Yes this is an endorsement of that show and I apologize for that lol. Some of the best television I’ve ever watched and he’s a part of the reason why. Apparently he’s barely being marketed for iron claw as opposed to the other actors and that’s a shame.

@wrestlinginfodude2644

8 ай бұрын

But he will get lots of recognition for this movie and can be huge break for holt that he truly deserved

@quiett6191

8 ай бұрын

He even kinda looks like Fritz Von Erich.

@Garoth4582

8 ай бұрын

Mindhunters is so fucking good

@cesaracosta5483

8 ай бұрын

Agreed. He’s perfectly cast as Fritz von Erich. He even looks like the real life person.

I grew up in Dallas like my father before me he’s not a wrestling fan but went to the Sportatorium back in the day and we’re planning on going to see the movie together.

This movie was incredible. All of the actors were phenomenal in their roles. I hope Zac Efron does get nominated for an Oscar and that he wins. I also hope everyone goes to see this film. Great review!

I grew up in the Detroit/Windsor area an recall broadcasts on either local or Canadian tv featuring a Fritz von Eric on one of the wrestling shows. I had forgotten all about his special "hold" until I saw the title of this episode. Stuff like that led to my brother and I and friends to make a couple of movies spoofing the wacky, colorful, entertaining wrestling characters who were active at the time (early 60's), all of it shot on 8mm (regular 8mm/this was pre Super8). Memories! The Iron Claw. Brings it all back.

Was a Huge Fan of Texas Wrestling and the Rivalry between The Fabulous Freebirds I’m really excited to see this even with the tragedy surrounding this legendary wrestling family

As someone unfamiliar with this era of wrestling, I thought the guy playing Ric Flair was doing an Ashley Schaefer (Eastbound & Down) impression and started to laugh when thinking about “Plums.”

I will say that it may be better to always be in the discussion of "should have" won an oscar, than actually winning. Who won best supporting actor 5 years ago? Who should have won best supporting actor but didn't? Val Kilmer in Tombstone.

I'm looking forward to seeing film and also agonizing to seeing it! As a wrestling fan I know of the Von Erich family legacy, so I'm anticipating this film to be a tear jerker!

Zac Efron for Wolverine!!!

absolutely a brilliant take on the story... I was so hooked and so sadend at the end

I’m not a wrestling fan and nothing about the Von Erich story. This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. Every scene every shot felt like it had nervous. The dialogue was tight the acting was phenomenal. It’s an amazing story about loss and grief, I wouldn’t even consider this to be a sports movie. I only had two minor gripes. I think Efron did a great job, but his accent was a little weak, and pulled me out of scenes from time to time. The other thing that bothered me was how Lily James ended up falling flat as a character to me. She came in guns, blazing full of fire in personality. Then got reduced to the generic “wife of troubled man.” I think they could have done so much more with her character

As I understand it, work was still being done on the movie in November and premiered in December. Most movies premiere at film festivals, Cannes in May, Venice in August, Telluride and Toronto September in September etc, all to build up buzz/campaigns for the Oscars and other awards. Claw came out too late. It's a shame about Chris but it could have been a miniseries but would have called for a larger budget. Superb movie!

To make a wrestling comparison: The real Von Erich story is a Ric Flair promo. The Iron Claw is the portrayl of a Ric Flair promo that was in that movie.

fun movie, zac deserves sum awards....

I saw their story on DARK SIDE OF THE RING. Utterly tragic. I never watched wrestling but I like that show.

I loved this movie it hit on my heart strings and definitely hit home. The performances were great across the board. I really felt the bond between all of the brothers and how they looked out for one another. If I had one nit pick, it would be that I wished I could a few more seems with Kerry Von Eric. I went into the film thinking Jeremy Allen White would have more of a leading role but he seems to play more of a supporting characters to Zac Efron. Jeremy Allen White is fantastic in this movie. Just wish I got alittle more screen time. All in all it’s a great, emotional movie, I’m looking forward to seeing it again. 4.1/5 for me

MJF plays Lance von Erich, he was the cousin of the brothers

Kerry's match against Mister Perfect at Summer Slam for the IC title is literally one of my first memories of pro wrestling. Both excited and scared witless about watching this.

Seeing this movie tonight, I am not a wrestling fan but do love a good sports movie. Thanks for the review as ever Kristian.

Cutting Chris out is a major mistake. Maybe they said his story would be too sad for mainstream audiences

Just saw it. Wow. Powerful. 5 stars ⭐️ outta 5 for me. Great screenplay & Zac Efrons performance

I hope it does great and also brings on more wrestling bio pics like there doing on the music side

No one is more qualified to give a professional review than Kristian, i dont care what some smuck at the ny times says, i want a real fan who knows history and the wrestling business. Thank you.

@TheKristianHarloff

8 ай бұрын

This is very kind.

As a new wwe fan, I’ve been super intrigued by this movie and can’t wait to see it!

I am so excited for this movie. Glad to hear it didn't suck. Btw Kristian WWE has been, dare i say, watchable the last year or two. You should do a wrestling show like you do UAP Tuesdays if you can fit it in. I'll watch no matter what you do, keep it up!

I'll be going to see this next week; most deserved wrestling family to have a biopic made of them. I'm an 80's kid and grew up watching the Von Erich's and WCCW.

They skipped over Kerry's motorcycle accident. No explanation about what happened to his leg. I know what happened but I would like to see the incident.

I know next to nothing about wrestling and knew nothing about the Von Erichs. This movie absolutely wrecked me emotionally. I've seen 43 movies in 2023 and The Iron Claw is my number 4. Zac absolutely should get a Best Actor nom at the Oscars.

All of the sons except Chris where married! They did not show it. Kerry had kids.

Movie was phenomenal. Glad I saw it in the theaters.

I love how calm Kristian's voice is.

Definitely going to see this with my brother and family

Kerry was my fav!

I never heard of the von Erich’s until this movie but I do know the harts because I come from the same city as Brett the hitman hart which is Calgary Alberta Canada. Owen hart was a regular customer at a restaurant that I worked at, a year before he died I was able to get his autograph on a dinner napkin which I still have in mint condition. I had Bruce hart and Ross hart as substitute teachers at my school. My point is, I was surprised to know that Brett hart’s father stu hart was the one that trained Fritz von Erich and Brett hart was friends with kerry von Erich and Brett tried talking Kerry out of committing suicide. I was surprised to find out that the harts were friends with the Von Erichs. I wish they would have mentioned the harts in the movie.

Agree, not having Chris was a bummer, Ric Flair took me out of the movie a bit really just had to accept it, but you said it perfectly about the Young Rock Comparison. Wasn't sure about how they treated the Wrestling, They made it seem like it was less kayfabe then it was, like the Kevin V Ric flair and V Harley Race, matchs where he gets disqualified i just thought they made them seem too real and wasn't the scripted outcome. But again its minor really as the movie was really good. If the movie was longer i probably would have liked to see more about Kerry and the things he dealt with with about his foot. Like the match Colonel Debeers where he pulled the foot off

Need to figure out a time to see this with my dad this holiday season.

I'm looking forward to seeing this movie. However, like you mentioned, not even having Chris Von Erich in the movie automatically gives it a knock because this movie is supposed to be centered on the whole family and the tragedies. It's a big piece missing. So what if it made the movie a little longer and added yet another depressing moment. You gotta include it. The director had to have known people are going to talk about it. Chavo and Lacey even brought it up to him.

@ratgenerationx2946

8 ай бұрын

If you youtube Chris Von Erich the first video that comes up is him attacking Paul Bearer and Steve Austin comes out and kicks his ass lol Yeah why in the hell did they leave him out?

I'm really stoked about this one because I see incredible acting techniques from Zac Efron that are so seamless that I cannot tell whether he's using Meisner or Stanislavski or Chekov or what! But I love that!

Kudos to dark side of the ring. As a renewed fan of wrestling, it was cool to learn about a wrestling dynasty I wasn’t previously privy to. ( I came into it when Kerry was TT)

Normally don't care for these sports movies but the story. Your enthusiasm plus Zac Efron going for this role make me interested. Also guy from the Bear being there.

I'm gonna go see it tomorrow. I'm a big wrestling fan since 1984. I live in Texas so I was for sure a Von Erich fan (Kerry being my favorite). I'm a little disappointed they left out Chris Von Erich. Even though he didn't wrestle much I do believe he adds a tremendous amount to the Von Erich story. Looking forward to this movie.

Just watched Iron Claw today. Pretty good movie.

I'm from North Texas and grew up in the 80s and 90s, so I'm definitely interested in watching this.

This was part of growing up for me in Texas. So I'll be doing a double feature with my wife this weekend, aquaman and the iron claw.

I didn't watch much this year but this was far and away my favorite of the year. It absolutely gutted me.

MJF plays the faux Von Erich

Im not a wrestling fan but i periodically watched in the late 2000s. I knew about the Vin Erics on a bery surface level but even i knew there was someone missing. Also as someone who to this day remembers the Ric Flair final match, they did not capture him at all in this movie, the exception being the brief scene in the locker room. However i still think this is a top 5 movie of the year for me. Zac Efron and Holt deserve awards consideration imo

I’m in the theater right now in West Monroe Louisiana and waiting for this movie too start I grew up on wrestling but never heard of these guys it’s based on I’m hyped too watch this

I couldn't care less about wrestling, but you and others have sold me on this film, and I'll be watching it in the theater.

Lance is my favorite Von Erich brother.

@chrischar9428

6 ай бұрын

That's funny on many levels

I was a Von Erich fan since mid 80s,..im going to see it today & i may watch the documentary before i go. I bet the movie it good

I grew up watching wrestling and those like Rick Flair Inloved this movie. Especially the part where the brothers who died join each other. And how the oldest living brother was headed by his children going on to have a great life!

@TheKristianHarloff

7 ай бұрын

Heartbreaking film.

After watching this trailer - wanna see this movie, Zac Efron looks like He-man with that haircut and he is built and jacked to play him

I want to see this movie. I'm rooting for Zac. Would love to see you and Rocha talk about this movie

Subscribed!

MJF plays Lance Von Erich.

Checking it out tomorrow. I can't wait

yer hit home ... 😢

Aquaman 2 first, then we'll go see Claw. Wish it would've came out this past weekend.

Seeing this with my brother on Friday. Hope it’s good!

I hope it comes out on dvd. I can't go to the theaters and can't stream if they do that.

Seeing it this Thursday.

this movie is for me!

As a kid watching them wrestle in the 80s I'm definitely looking forward to this movie. Ive also lost both my brothers so i know it'll hit me a little hard. The only thing that throws me off a little is Jeremy's size compared to Kerry's.

I thought the movie was awful .. I'm a huge pro wrestling fan an I know this story well. They changed too much leaving out Chris .. Everything that happens is off screen and wow worst Ric Flair .

Fantastic movie! SO emotional.

I’ve been looking forward to this!

*The Von Erich sons just wrestled the other night & their father showed up at the end of the match*

Seeing it Thursday

Definitely Friday night lights vibes watching this. One of the best wrestling movies 🎥

@TheKristianHarloff

7 ай бұрын

Good call on FNL

While the acting was good, standout being Zac Efron, the story was incredibly weak to most of us who truly know the incredibly tragic story of the Von Erichs. It was an abridged, one note & hollow fiction story written by Sean Durkin that based loosely, and I mean very loosely, the real events. I've come to realize this story isn't meant for diehards but to the general audiences who have very little to no understanding of the source material who are blown away by even a cliff note version of the story filled with fiction like the Iron Claw is. 4:00 Oh & MJF plays Lance Von Erich, the make believe cousin of the Von Erich brothers that Fritz brought in to pick up slack for Mike, who nearly died from toxic shock syndrome. That in itself is another story that Durkin glosses over that shows Fritz's true depravity & how he was overly obsessed with the business even in the wake of family tragedy, like Mike's illness and David's death 2 years prior. Like I said, this movie wasn't meant for me and others like me, sure there are diehards that love it too but we clearly weren't the target audience and that's fine. I'm happy for all of you who loved it, but this rang extremely hollow for me

Great video and awesome information💯💯

That’s not what said about other brother the cut him out because it would make the movie even more morbid and dark.

Can't wait to see this movie. There is a great documentary on peacock called the triumph and tragedy of wccw heartbreaking. I'm 1 of 3 brothers, the story definitely emotional

Jeremy Allen White would be a perfect Wolverine, buuuut he recently said he actually met with Marvel and said the meeting didn't go well...

I lost my brother to the big C back in 2002.

@TheKristianHarloff

7 ай бұрын

I am sorry for your loss Joe.

@HelloJoseph83

7 ай бұрын

@@TheKristianHarloff Thanks Kristian. His name was Lam and was only 22. Funniest guy I knew.

@HelloJoseph83

7 ай бұрын

@@TheKristianHarloff I’m sorry for your loss too. I’ve been watching you for years and didn’t know about your brother. Thank you for sharing that.

MJF is Lance Von Erich. A fake Von Erich cousin.

I know the story about this family very well and Have meet a few of the guys. The trailer does not do the story justice. They only show all the fun and party.

Hes prob not getting the recognition cause oh i dunno, the movie hasnt come out yet. 🤷‍♂️

Harloff rules.

Last time I was this early, Efron’s face looked normal!

@jamesdeziel1468

8 ай бұрын

He broke his whole jaw I give him a pass haha

@doctorwardrobe2383

8 ай бұрын

Ouch

4:30 I think that the real reason why the director/writer cut Chris out of the movie is they didn't want to have a particular type of gruesome scene in the movie twice. It happened twice in real life, but they didn't want to depict both in the movie.

@DanV900

7 ай бұрын

The director said Chris was left out because then it would be overwhelming sad and he had arguably the most tragic story with it being so sad already.

@LB-gz3ke

7 ай бұрын

I am not a wrestling fan but I watched a biography on this family. I am saddened by the omission of the youngest brother. He already felt inadequate and diminished in life by being too small and sickly to be an affective wrestler. Now he has been diminished right out of his family's story? It is a disservice to audiences to say the story is too tragic.

Very excited for this.

*Jeremy Allen White was amazing in The Bear I had no idea he was going to be in this how did he do Kristian?*

Haven’t seen this but from the trailer I thought best actor between cillian Murphy Oppenheimer or this Zac Efron.

Sounds like it was a good movie overall I'll be checking it out in the future

I enjoyed it, but I feel like there were quite a few moments where you wouldn’t understand what’s going on if you didn’t know the actual story of the Von Erichs. Easy to get lost if you don’t know before hand.

Damn! Am I the only one who thought it was absolutely terrible and couldn’t wait for it to end?

Agreed horrible club to be a member of

@TheKristianHarloff

7 ай бұрын

Sorry for your loss.

Im very mad because idiots in my country decided to release the movie on Feb 16th 😭