The Von Erich Family Addresses Inaccuracies in ‘The Iron Claw’

Nearly two years after the release of A24’s biographical film The Iron Claw, members of the Von Erich wrestling family have come forward to express their concerns regarding the film’s representation of their father’s legacy.

Upcoming Critique on ‘Hollywood Demons’

In an upcoming episode of Investigation Discovery’s Hollywood Demons, set to air on Monday at 9 PM, Lacey Von Erich, a professional wrestler and daughter of Kerry Von Erich, criticized the film’s portrayal. She labeled it “inaccurate” and described the depiction of her father as “heart-wrenching.”

Concerns Over Family Representation

Lacey Von Erich stated, “My sister and I were not in the movie as my dad’s children and he didn’t have a wife or anything. And that was a really big part of my dad.” She emphasized that significant aspects of her father’s life were omitted, contributing to her feelings of heartbreak regarding the portrayal.

Major Life Events Omitted

The film does acknowledge pivotal moments in Kerry Von Erich’s life, including the motorcycle accident that resulted in the amputation of his foot, his struggles with painkiller addiction, and his tragic death by suicide in 1993. However, it fails to include elements of his family life, particularly the absence of his wife, Catherine Murray, and daughters, Hollie and Lacey.

Kevin Von Erich’s Perspective

Kevin Von Erich, the last surviving brother of the legendary wrestling family, portrayed by Zac Efron in the film, remarked, “Kerry in the movie was not a family man, but in real life he was.” His comment sheds light on a significant discrepancy between the film’s narrative and the family’s real-life experiences.

Lack of Family Consultation

Lacey mentioned that the Von Erich family was not consulted during the film’s production, learning of its development through social media. In contrast, Kevin indicated his endorsement of director Sean Durkin’s film, possibly highlighting differing perspectives within the family regarding the cinematic representation.

The Legacy of the Von Erich Family

The Iron Claw is rooted in the remarkable yet tragic history of the Von Erich family, noted for their substantial contributions to the wrestling world from the 1960s onwards. The film focuses on the infamous “Von Erich curse,” which saw the untimely deaths of several family members, with Kevin being the sole survivor.

As the Von Erich family navigates these portrayals of their legacy, their voices serve as reminders of the significance of accurate representation in storytelling, especially concerning such a deeply personal narrative.