Sean Durkin’s latest film, The Iron Claw, portrays more than just a single heartbreaking event—it brings to light multiple tragedies. The movie, which is a dramatized retelling of the Von Erich wrestling family’s journey, delves into the devastating losses they endured.
It tells the story of four out of five Von Erich brothers who passed away under tragic circumstances. Though the film focuses on five siblings, in reality, there was a sixth brother who suffered a similar fate. With so much sorrow packed into the story, one might expect The Iron Claw to leave viewers with a heavy heart.
Wrestling with grief in and out of the ring (Photo: The Iron Claw/A24 House Productions)However, the film manages to conclude on a note that is deeply emotional yet not overwhelmingly grim. As the movie approaches its final moments, only two brothers, Kevin (played by Zac Efron) and Kerry (played by Jeremy Allen White), are still alive.
Kerry has been struggling with addiction and depression, leaving Kevin deeply concerned for his well-being. A distressing phone call in the middle of the night, in which Kerry expresses thoughts of harming himself, heightens Kevin’s fears.
Before Kevin can intervene, Kerry makes his way back to the family ranch and takes his own life using the same gun he had gifted his father the previous Christmas. When Kevin arrives at Kerry’s home and realizes what has happened, he is consumed by an overwhelming sense of anger and grief.
His father soon arrives at the scene, and Kevin, unable to contain his emotions, lashes out at him. However, his rage eventually subsides, allowing him to turn his focus back to his deceased brother. He gently lifts Kerry’s body, carries him into the house, and places him on the dining room table.
A Bittersweet Ending That Leaves a Lasting Impact
At this point, the film could have easily ended on a completely sorrowful note, but instead, it presents a poignant and hopeful conclusion. The scene abruptly transitions to Kerry, who, despite being an amputee at the time of his death, is now depicted with both feet intact.
He is seen stepping into a rowboat and gliding down a peaceful creek. Waiting for him on a dock in the distance are three familiar faces—his brothers Jack Jr., David, and Mike. This moment signifies Kerry’s arrival in the afterlife, where he is finally reunited with his lost siblings.
A final farewell that echoes beyond the ring (Photo: The Iron Claw/A24 House Productions)As they embrace warmly, they walk away together, reinforcing the idea that they have found peace. The film then returns to reality, showing Kevin mourning over Kerry’s lifeless body. The loss of all his brothers leaves him feeling utterly alone.
In the final scene, Kevin sits outside, watching his two young sons play in the yard. Noticing their father in tears, the boys rush to his side to console him. Though he has lost his brothers, his sons reassure him that they will always be there for him, offering a sense of hope in the face of pain.
Sean Durkin Aims to Portray the Brothers in Their Purest Form
During an interview with Business Insider, Durkin revealed that when the real Kevin Von Erich and his family watched the film, the scene depicting the brothers’ reunion in the afterlife deeply moved them.
According to Durkin, Kevin’s children were brought to tears and expressed how much the moment resonated with them. Kevin’s daughter even mentioned that the family had spent years imagining such a reunion, something Durkin was completely unaware of while making the film.
Durkin explained that he intended to present the brothers in a setting where they could finally be at peace.
He described the scene as a way to bring them back together in a place free from the struggles they faced in life. In that moment, they are shown as they were meant to be—unburdened, happy, and reunited as a family.
