Earlier this summer, Variety reported that Sean Durkin’s “The Iron Claw” would be theatrically released on December 22nd with no fall festival appearances planned.
Instead, A24 decided to world premiere “The Iron Claw,” a month and a half in advance, not in L.A or NY, but rather last night in Dallas, Texas — which is where the story takes place.
This means we don’t really have many reactions coming in since most critics and pundits didn’t make the trek to Texas. Next Best Picture’s Matt Neglia and The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood did go to the Lone Star State, and they’re both raving about the film and the performances.
Neglia: THE IRON CLAW delves into the tragic story of the Von Erichs with the utmost reverence. Zac Efron delivers his most physically and emotionally demanding performance to date. He is supported by a flawless cast ensemble as they, along with Director Sean Durkin, commit to some of the best depictions of wrestling ever seen on film. It’s a profound human drama of love, family, and resilience.
Ellwood: “Iron Claw” is a genuine tearjerker focusing on brotherly love that even stir feelings from a single child. From an awards perspective, the Sean Durkin written and directed movie is one of three to four films that will battle it out for the 9th and 10th Best Picture nominations. Director of Photography Mátyás Erdély (“Son of Saul”) has a chance at a Cinematography nomination while Matthew Hannam has an outside shot in Editing for some fantastic cutting overall and, in particular, the wrestling scenes (which look more real than what you see from the WWE on television).
“The Iron Claw” sounds like the type of film that would have absolutely benefited from a film festival. Durkin is coming off two notable features, especially 2011’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene” and there’s lots of buzz for this one.
Will it make a dent when it gets released on 12.22.23? That remains to be seen. At this point, there just aren’t enough reactions to make a firm judgement when it comes to this one.
Criterion's December lineup has some great additions to the library, but the title that jumped out at me is Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," which officially joins the Collection on December 8.