Iron Claw viewers in the United Kingdom gave the film rave reviews that ultimately fell six weeks after its theatrical release across the Atlantic.
But fans are still struggling to come to terms with Zac Efron’s strikingly different appearance as Kevin Von Erich in the wrestling drama.
The film follows the tragic true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history by leading the world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.
The High School Musical star appears alongside on-screen brothers Jeremy Allen White (Kerry), Harris Dickinson (David) and Stanley Simons (Mike).
After watching the new biopic, one viewer reacted on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “I can’t get used to Zac Efron’s new face.”
Iron Claw viewers in the United Kingdom gave the film rave reviews that ultimately fell six weeks after its theatrical release across the Atlantic.
Zac’s appearance in recent years has sparked rumors of surgery; However, the star revealed in 2022 that his fuller jaw came after he broke his jaw in an accident. Seen in the new film, filmed in 2022 and 2023 (left), and in the film’s release in November.
Pictured (left to right): Harris Dickinson, Efron, Stanley Simons and Jeremy Allen White as the Von Erich brothers.
One viewer was so surprised by the transformation that he was asked if ‘is that really him?’
The Fuller Jaw also surprised fans last year while promoting his upcoming movie, with some suspecting he had already worked.
More responded after the film’s full release asking if ‘is that really him?’ and ‘What did he do to her face?’
“Zac Efron’s roid face is giving me the worst case of the uncanny valley,” another added.
Zac explained the transformation when it happened in 2021, but his wider jaw still appears on screen now because it was filmed the same year.
He revealed that the inflated appearance was a result of the actor breaking his jaw on a granite fountain. His facial muscles grew to compensate for the injury.
However, beyond the protagonist’s surprising appearance, The Iron Claw has been hailed as “an instant classic” by viewers, who said, “You definitely don’t have to be a wrestling fan to appreciate The Iron Claw.”
“What a moving, heartwarming and sometimes funny film, which is as much about family as it is about wrestling…
‘The iron claw was so good…
‘I just watched Iron Claw. Easily the best movie of 2023…
‘Anyway, watch The Iron Claw. It’s an instant classic.’
The Iron Claw follows the tragic true story of the Von Erich family, who made history by topping the world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Pictured: Brothers (left to right) Kevin, David and Kerry with his champion father, Fritz.
Fritz doesn’t mind letting his kids know how he arranges his favorites, he sees it as an incentive to feel proud. “The rankings can always change,” he tells them.
The film has been awarded 89 percent “certified fresh” rotten tomatoes score.
Its critics’ consensus reads: “Powerfully acted and deeply sad, The Iron Claw honors its fact-based story with a dramatization whose compassionate exploration of family ties is as compelling as its action in the wrestling ring.”
Kevin was the eldest surviving child of Fritz (Holt McCallany) and Doris (Maura Tierney), whose firstborn died in infancy.
All of the clan’s children were raised in the image of their father, a champion wrestler, whose signature move was the eponymous “iron claw,” a kind of one-handed vise.
And his greatest wish, expressed unambiguously, is for all his boys to follow him to the ring.
One of them, Mike, is not as strong or as athletic as the others. He prefers guitar to wrestling, so Fritz proclaims it his least favorite.
Lily James plays Pam Adkisson, Kevin’s (Zac Efron) girlfriend, later his wife.
Beyond the High School Musical star’s appearance, viewers of the film called it an “instant classic.”
He doesn’t mind letting his kids know how he arranges his favorites, he sees it as an incentive to make him proud. “Rankings can always change,” he tells them.
There was another son, Chris, who was the youngest, who was not included in the film, as writer-director Sean Durkin said. Variety his suicide was “one more tragedy that the movie really couldn’t handle.”
Another character we meet is Kevin’s fellow Texan, Pam Adkisson, played by Lily James.
That couple’s family is where the story ends, with Kevin crying as he watches his and Pam’s children play football, reflecting on the sad fate of his own siblings.