‘The Iron Claw’ Sets December 22 Release Date, No Fall Festivals

Variety is reporting that Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw” will be theatrically released on December 22nd with, apparently, no fall festival premiere set for the film.

Despite its prime awards season release, “The Iron Claw” is currently in post-production and isn’t expected to make the rounds at film festivals.

A real shame, if this is true. “The Iron Claw” sounds like the type of film that absolutely needs to be spotlighted at a film festival. It’s not big or showy and could benefit from the exposure.

Durkin is coming off two above-average films, “Martha Marcy May Marlene” and “The Nest,” and here’s hoping he continues that streak with this next one.

The drama tells the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, a dynasty of wrestlers who made a huge impact on the sport in the US from the 1960s to present day.

Many believed the Von Eric’s were the unfortunate recipients of a curse known as the “Von Eric Curse.” You should look it up, this family has had a lot of misfortunes and tragedies come their way in the last six or so decades.

The film, produced by A24, stars Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Holt McCallany, Maura Tierney and Lily James.

As far as I know, the film test-screened twice, with many bewildered by the film’s austere and dark approach. Someone compared it to Bennet Miller’s “Foxcatcher” which is absolute music to my ears. Durkin doesn’t make commercial cinema, and all the better for it.