Summary

• The tragic deaths in A24's The Iron Claw, based on the true story of the Von Erich family, highlight the curse they faced.
• The impact of the Von Erich family's constant battles with death in the film sets it apart and honors their legacy.
• Each death depicted in The Iron Claw, from Jack Jr. to Kerry, reflects the real-life tragedies that befell the Von Erich family.

Warning: This article contains mention of sensitive topics such as death, suicide, illness, and trauma.

Although A24's The Iron Claw has many moments of joy and humor, there are also countless tragic moments as well, and the saddest scenes of all are those depicting the deaths of members of the Von Erich family. The Iron Claw surrounds the four Von Erich brothers who follow in their father's footsteps and become pro wrestlers, only to see their dreams dashed by the tragic Von Erich curse. In the end, three of the four on-screen brothers pass away, and by now, the Von Erich parents have also died. The Iron Claw is an adaptation of a true story.

What makes The Iron Claw so outstanding is the fact that Kevin Von Erichs' true story is unbelievable. Audiences are used to seeing tragedy on-screen, but the Von Erichs experienced more than just bad times. Their constant battle with death is beyond belief at times. But this is what makes the film so impactful. The idea that these vibrant and passionate people truly lived and died sets The Iron Claw on a different level than other movies, and even other biopics. It honors the Von Erichs who are no longer with us in a very powerful way.

Jack Adkisson Jr.

March 7, 1959

The first member of the Von Erich family to pass away in The Iron Claw was Jack Adkisson Jr. Although Jack's death didn't occur on-screen, his tragic fate remains imperative to the story. Jack Adkisson Jr. was the first son of Jack Adkisson, otherwise known as Fritz Von Erich, and Doris Von Erich. According to the film, he died when he was very young, and his cause of death remains unclear. Jack's death deeply affects the Von Erichs. Although the other boys barely knew their brother, his death represents a sort of family tragedy.

In real life, Jack Adkisson Jr. died on March 7, 1959. His cause of death was not a mystery to the Von Erichs. While in Niagara Falls, New York, Jack stepped on a trailer tongue and got electrocuted. After, he fell into a puddle of melting snow and drowned. Jack was only six years old at the time of his death. Jack's death, though it happens off-screen, is an early indicator of the Von Erich curse. His tragic childhood death almost acts as an omen for what is to come for the rest of the Von Erich boys.

David Von Erich

February 10, 1984

Although Jack Adkisson Jr. was technically the first Von Erich to die in The Iron Claw, the first actual on-screen death is that of David Von Erich. David is the third-eldest Von Erich boy, after Jack and Kevin. In the film, David becomes Kevin's wrestling partner, and the two become a popular duo. Later, his younger brother Kerry joins them, creating the formidable Von Erich Family. After Kevin's wedding to Pam, wherein David appears sick, David travels to Japan to fight Ric Flair for the title of world champion, but while there, he dies of enteritis, or intestine inflammation.

David's death in The Iron Claw is fairly accurate to the real life event, however there is one aspect the movie avoids: the theory that David died of a drug overdose.

In his autobiography, Ric Flair wrote that fellow wrestler Bruiser Brody found David dead in his hotel room and flushed all his drugs down the toilet. Despite these claims, this is a controversial theory. Though the wrestling community believes in the drug overdose, the U.S. Embassy ruled David was killed by enteritis. The Iron Claw likely wanted to honor David, and therefore, avoided delving into unproven theories.

Mike Von Erich

April 12, 1987

The next member of the Von Erich family to die in The Iron Claw was Mike Von Erich. Mike was the fifth Von Erich child. In the film, he is the black sheep of his family, interested in pursuing music rather than athletics. However, after David's death, Mike trains to take his brother's place. According to the film, Mike is in the midst of a wrestling match when he falls onto his shoulder and promptly goes into a toxic shock induced coma. Although he survives his injuries, Mike suffers brain damage, and soon after, takes his own life via pills.

Of the four Von Erich deaths depicted in The Iron Claw, Mike's story is the most changed. Although Mike did take his own life in 1987, the lead-up to this event was quite different. Mike Von Erich did not hurt his shoulder while wrestling, but received the injury while on a tour of Israel. This injury led to toxic shock syndrome and brain damage, which was worsened after a car accident. Like David, Mike was also married before his death, but the movie does not depict this. Mike was 23 at the time of his death.

Though The Iron Claw portrays Mike as musician, he actually had an interest in being a cameraman.

Furthermore, Mike Von Erich's character is a mix of two Von Erich siblings. The Iron Claw left out Von Erich family member Chris Von Erich, who also died at a young age. Unlike what The Iron Claw portrays, Chris was the youngest Von Erich sibling. Due to various medical conditions, Chris couldn't achieve the same success at wrestling as his siblings, while Mike was quite an accomplished wrestler. Similar to Mike's story, Chris suffered intense grief at Mike's death and turned to drugs. On September 12, 1991, at the age of 21, Chris Von Erich took his own life.

Kerry Von Erich

February 18, 1993