Pop Banter

The Iron Claw–released in theaters this December–features the lives of the Von Erichs, a wrestling family devoted to glory in the ring as much as one another. Mirrored after the true-to-life accounts of the Von Erich family, the film offers a sobering take on family, fame, and tragedy. Holt McCallany portrays Fritz Von Erich, the rugged patriarch who charges toward victory over a wrestling world that appears to unrelentingly extract far more than it ever gives. Zac Efron takes on the role of Kevin Von Erich, the sole surviving member of the Von Erich brothers. He eventually collapses under the burden of continuous loss–though he ultimately finds solace in becoming a father and passing the torch onto a new generation.

What lessons can we learn about fatherhood and family through the lives of the Von Erichs? Here are a few takeaways:

• Parental Expectations: What’s it like when an overbearing father figure has high expectations for his children to follow in his footsteps? This kind of dynamic often leads to conflicts as the children grapple with their own desires and dreams, highlighting the importance of allowing children to pursue their own paths rather than fulfilling the parent’s unfulfilled aspirations. In this case, the film illustrates levels of repression and assimilation for the children as a means of survival. And while perfectionism and performance seem aspirational, research also indicates a correlation with increased anxiety and depression. This message hits home repeatedly in the film.

• Tragedies and Sacrifices: Multiple tragedies are woven into the narrative, such as injuries suffered in the wrestling ring or personal losses due to the father’s career choices. These incidents serve as poignant reminders of the sacrifices that come with seeking fame and success, illustrating the harsh reality of the profession. While there’s a comment in the film about professional wrestling being fake, the realities of serious injury plague wrestlers as much as any other major sport. Though Kerry Von Erich, played by Jeremy Allen White, sustains an injury outside the ring, his condition certainly worsens upon his return. Meanwhile, the injuries sustained by brothers Mike Von Erich (Stanley Simmons) and David Von Erich (Harris Dickerson) prove ultimately to be life-threatening.

• Media Scrutiny and Privacy: The movie addresses the invasive nature of fame and how it affects the family’s privacy. The father’s constant exposure to the media and public scrutiny serve as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of seeking fame at the expense of personal boundaries. The nature of celebrity in wrestling often requires donning a persona, which Fritz Von Erich did. Though the film glosses over it, Fritz’s choice to adopt a nazi-inspired persona was perhaps a clever calculation at the time. And it’s still an oft-used trope in many films and television. After all, audiences always need a villain to root against as much as a hero for which to cheer. But clearly, a nazi-esque character doesn’t necessarily age well.

• Impact of Fame on Family Dynamics: As the family achieves fame, the movie depicts how the father’s pursuit of success affects the dynamics within the family. This includes strained relationships, communication breakdowns, and the emotional toll on both the father and the children. The ranking system employed by the dad is both clarifying for the boys as it is indefensible. Though it’s probably true that most parents show favoritism (which is very hard not to do). Perhaps the reasons have something to do with evolutionary survival, but a blatantly competitive ranking systems seems over the top.

• Redemption and Growth: Though the narrative could take a turn where the father faces the consequences of his actions and seeks redemption–this film doesn’t seem to arrive there. But such a journey should involve self-reflection, personal growth, and efforts to repair fractured family relationships. It would emphasize the possibility of positive change and the importance of acknowledging mistakes. Many parents can struggle with this notion. However, self-awareness is crucial for parents to connect with their children.

• Legacy and Impact on Future Generations: The movie teases at exploring the concept of legacy and how the father’s choices influence the values and aspirations of the next generation. This prompts the audience to reflect on what kind of legacy parents want to leave behind and through how the father wants to be remembered by his family. As the father keeps pursing greatness through fame and fortune, he misses the real opportunity to achieve a legacy of gentleness and compassion. He seems to view tragedy as being tested rather than reflecting on how his mentality models destructive behaviors.

For a deeper look at the Von Erichs, watch the docuseries, Dark Side of the Ring.