Von Erich Family Blasts ‘The Iron Claw’ for Inaccuracy and Heartbreak

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Titled “The Iron Claw“, this 2023 movie directed by Sean Durkin features Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Lily James. It delves deeply into themes of masculinity and power as seen through the perspective of the renowned Von Erich wrestling family. Upon release, it garnered widespread praise from both fans and critics. However, Lacey Von Erich, daughter of Kerry Von Erich (portrayed by Jeremy Allen White in “The Iron Claw” ), has voiced criticism towards the film for its questionable representation of her father and the Von Erich family.

In an upcoming episode of Investigation Discovery’s “Hollywood Demons,” airing on April 21, Lacey Von Erich will make an appearance. If you watched “The Iron Claw” and can’t recall Kerry having children, it’s because the movie excluded his wife and kids to focus on his internal struggles. As Lacey Von Erich mentions in a sneak peek of the episode, “In the movie, my dad was not portrayed as having us, his children, and he didn’t have a spouse either.” In the film, Kerry Von Erich is played by Allen White, who depicts him as preoccupied with trying to live up to his brothers, as well as his motorcycle accident and his dependency on painkillers.

In the movie, however, crucial aspects of Kerry Von Erich’s personality as a family man were overlooked, with his wife and children being omitted from the narrative. This oversight, according to Lacey, significantly distorted the portrayal of his father, making it painfully inaccurate. Similarly, Kevin Von Erich (portrayed by Zac Efron) voiced concerns about the film’s depiction of his late brother, stating that Kerry was not portrayed as a family man in the movie, but he truly was in real life.

The Real Von Erichs Weren’t Told About ‘The Iron Claw’

In the process of creating a biopic about a well-known individual, the studio typically consults or informs the immediate family members (or the person themselves if they are still alive) before making an official public announcement about the film. The controversy surrounding the portrayal and handling of the real Von Erich family in the movie The Iron Claw intensified when Lacey Von Erich disclosed that her family found out about the A24 production in the same way as many others – through social media. However, it’s important to note that Sean Durkin and A24 did not completely keep the Von Erichs in the dark, as Kevin mentioned in a clip that he “supported” the movie, despite its questionable alterations.

(Official synopsis of “The Iron Claw”)

Chronicles the incredible journey of the unbreakable Von Erich brothers, who etched their names in wrestling history during the fiercely competitive 1980s. Overcoming both triumph and adversity under the watchful eye of their stern father and trainer, they strive for legendary status on the grandest sports platform.

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2025-04-21 18:03