why 'the iron claw' makes you emotional

[@sarahhenry564]

This movie made me go through a very physical grieving process for…a family of 80s wrestlers??? I’ve never been more surprised and devastated in my life. Great video!

[@beefy45]

I highly recommend watching the dark side of thr ring episode about the von erich family. It’s a good watch

[@khaldub]

Yes, the world of pro wrestling has some fairly devastating tales.

[@itsangbruh]

the true story is even worse. They didn't even talk about their other brother who also ended his own life.

[@MrMoles01]

honestly the adventures of milo and otis was more emotional. this was just corny

[@waynepolo6193]

@@MrMoles01 And yet, compelling enough for you to be watching KZbin videos about it even now. Why spend your time watching a video whose premise you, ostensibly, already disagree with?

[@azzu12]

Absolutely maddening how this film got no awards buzz given it’s better than 95% of the movies that won last year

[@bajorekjon]

Too many straight yt guys to win an award. Awards are given out for diversity, not merit or artistic achievement

[@badaxtion1878]

@@bajorekjonoh BROTHER. Oppenheimer Won best Actor, picture and Emma stone won best actress. Stop it with the victim mentality, snowflake

[@ericandbeethoven]

unfortunately, that is the fault of A24. For some reason, they did not meet the requirements to be nominated. They grossly underestimated the quality of the film to the detriment of the excellent story and acting. It was in my Top 5 films of the year and 2023 brought some exceptionally great films.

[@ImnotMattMurdock]

​@@bajorekjonGood God, you're sensitive.

[@errantnomad]

​@@bajorekjongot a real snowflake over here lmfaooooooo

[@bigschnozz5946]

I was already in tears but the part that really had me choking trying not to let out a sob was the end with Kevin, his kids and the lines "I used to be a brother" and "we'll be your brothers". Insanely good acting from Zac Efron in this film.

[@jaime667]

Same thing her😭

[@YOUU-TOUBERR]

wait is this sarcasm?

[@Bruce_M00SE]

It made me sad at first but then happy to see him running around with his kids and able to move on to a degree into his life as a father. He went through so much and is stronger for it and would never put his kids through the same struggles as his dad.

[@bigschnozz5946]

@@Bruce_M00SE 100% agreed

[@bigschnozz5946]

@@YOUU-TOUBERR no why would it be?

[@BatLanterns439]

You can tell when Kevin's kids tell him that everyone cries how relieved he feels. He was probably waiting his entire life for someone to tell him that its okay to be vulnerable. It's okay to be human.

[@Mr.Helper.]

Don’t do it in front of your wife/girlfriend

[@dougersonify]

I grew up with 3 brothers and a hard ass dad. This movie had me crying at the end. The parallels I saw hit me especially hard. Being a man is having to suffer in silence and imagining the pain Kevin must have felt hurt in a special way.

[@ambriaashley3383]

I am sorry ❤ I so wish the world was different but by sharing your story you are changing it, one word at a time ❤ thank you so much

[@ethanialP]

Same bro…I watched it with brothers and we all were broken

[@Kathulu05]

I have two brothers and moving out as the oldest is such a melancholy feeling

[@adrianr87]

This essay takes me back to your Nope essay. Beautifully put together. love love love

[@makingmediamatter]

Really appreciate that compliment! So happy you enjoyed it

[@crico314]

off topic, but I love your profile pic

[@adrianr87]

@@crico314 likewise!

[@khaleesi_cosima]

You perfectly described why I thought this film felt so different from other biopics. It wasn’t really about telling the story of this amazing wrestling family and how they made it to the top. It was about THEM, the people and their dynamic as a family. The film didn’t focus too much on the matches, the training process, or the fame aspect. All of that is in the background of a far more emotional story, that I feel like many viewers, especially men, can relate to.

[@TheLongestTake]

I saw this on a snowy night and had to go for a walk after watching this.

[@YOUU-TOUBERR]

hahahhahah

[@brookebonetti6253]

real

[@chadtate6580]

As someone who had the "men don't cry" mindset drilled into me at a young age, I couldn't agree more and this film hit me hard. I didn't shed a single tear at my mom's funeral for fear of appearing weak, so that "everyone cries" had me balling like a baby.

[@Atomsk0192]

It was beautiful. It was like his Dad didn't really let him mourn his brothers and his kids just set him free

[@ItsMeShaniceG]

When Kevin told his boys that he was sad because he wasn’t a brother anymore and they hugged him and said “we’ll be your brothers” 😭 oh man… my heart 💔

[@rafaelgarcia5797]

My brother suggested we watch this at the begining of 2024. I was skeptical watching a movie with Zach Efron looking like He-Man playing a wrestler, but I left that movie almost in tears. I was so thankful we watched it. I showed it to my sister recently and she was also super emotianal watching it. The phone call scene broke me because I saw myself in that position.

[@Makmitc]

i think the ending made cry so much because i honestly picture heaven this angelic place where it’s so beautiful and you have true joy. and the way they portrayed the brothers meeting again broke me in the best way possible.

[@thecolourrose9022]

It tackles mens mental health and how extreme and suppressive it is seeing as at the end zac is allowed to cry but still feels embarrassed about it such a beautiful film

[@Shay416]

Picked this movie because it was the only movie playing with seats available. Left speechless. Not the first date kinda movie lol.

[@michelloons]

any movie can be a first date movie if you're brave enough lol 😄

[@w.iraheta3769]

If this would have been a first date movie she would have seen me cry like a baby at end. 😅

[@InMyOpinion005]

@@michelloonswhat point do u make a move 😭

[@Mr.Helper.]

@@w.iraheta3769cry in front of a girl …. It’s the wrap

[@claudeyaz]

​@@Mr.Helper. nah. You were crying for the characters..any girl who dumps you for that. Is a girl who would rob ya in divorce anyways

[@UGuessin]

I watched this movie five times since it came on HBOMAX. This movie was an emotional roller coaster and really deserved more recognition. Zac Efron did such a great job he fully immersed himself into this character. I recommended this movie to others.

[@MoMo-cf1qn]

damn you’re so spot on about the restraint aspect. In a way I feel like the film kinda teaches you how to repress as you follow kevin and all the ways he removes himself. Like him, you expect more shoes to drop and know how to react accordingly, as was so lovingly taught by his father. However, that doesn’t account for the immense weight of each “shoe” and how that weight will refuse to let up as long as it is not acknowledged. Like I really thought I was gonna make it through the whole thing without even a single tear, kind of unconsciously internalizing fritz’s philosophy, but seeing kevin let himself shed some of that weight, actually allowing himself to feel how crushing each loss was, reminded me that I could do the same and that’s when I absolutely lost it

[@mattkenney3359]

I definitely have felt the pressure to not cry as a man or show excessive displays of emotion. I went to see this movie with my fiancé and at the climax when Kevin finds his dead brother and imagines them all reuniting, I broke out into sobbing tears. Even though this movie wrecked me, I thought it was so beautiful and recommended it to everyone I talked to, proudly telling them how it made me weep.

[@darksoulsthanos9940]

I was not expecting for this movie to devastate me this much. I have no idea what the last movie was that got this much emotion out of me. Just watched it an hour ago and am still emotional.

[@maxp2305]

This movie made me appreciate my dad even more than i already did. Man was never afraid to show his emotions, good or bad. He'd cry like a baby to music and movies and wasn't ashamed to. He always taught me that it's okay to cry

[@IfIhadaheartx]

This is such a great way to explain it. You’re completely right, the repression makes the emotional climax so much more intense.

[@brianwalsh1339]

As someone who does know the full context behind the “Von Erich curse” I can sort of understand why the filmmakers cut out some things. This story’s sad enough without Fritz’s eventual slide into madness due to brain cancer, Kevin’s mother leaving Fritz, and the suicide of the youngest brother, Chris (who isn’t even featured in the movie)

[@stoneloitfellner]

I haven't been able to talk with many people about it. I felt the timeline and pacing was pretty far off from the real timeline and inturn got a little confusing. I also feel not touching on some of these things impacts the movie in a bad way. If you are telling this story tell the story. I actually feel for a 2 hour movie it felt somewhat rushed. Maybe I just need to rewatch it? Curious how you feel about these things

[@michaelplz9069]

​@stoneloitfellner so if the movie felt rushed why would the film makers try and shove more tragedy into it. I feel it would cheapen these moments a bit and make it so sad it becomes less impactful. That's just how I see it

[@stoneloitfellner]

@@michaelplz9069 it felt rushed because the timelines were all wrong including the motorcycle crash. They framed it as if it was the same night he won the belt. Things happened in rapid pace and it was jarring that’s what I mean by rushed. They didn’t take the time to properly tell the story and leaving out major events I just don’t see how that’s a plus

[@contentm3893]

How long did Fritz fall into madness? I think they messed up the timeline and could have told a better story if the timeline was correct. Jerry Jarret didn't buy the company until 1989 and they had been cross promoting up in Memphis for a while. They didn't really show Kerry falling apart very well and missed story arch's that could have shed light on what really happened and how the family was really dealing the issues that lead to Kerry's suicide.

[@stoneloitfellner]

@@contentm3893I agree with this completely.

[@saljbe]

Wow. What a wonderful job dissecting this movie. Makes complete and total sense, I was wondering why this movie felt so different. The movie wouldn’t let you grieve bc they didn’t grieve.

[@thatsthamove]

The end where he’s like, “I “was” a brother, but not anymore” got me. Made me think about all of my generation going before me and how I don’t think I could handle that

[@abby-py1wf]

this movie didn’t get talked about nearly enough, amazing video u really made some points I didn’t think about before!!!

[@tariqjohnson9421]

“Feeling pain makes them feel weak and feeling weak brings them pain”. That’s a bar and facts.

[@hannahwillow109]

This movie gave me visceral and full body sobs most of the film. It was poignant, beautiful and so sad. The family suffered so much- even more than captured in the film. Thank you for covering it. It seems to have been ignored by many.

[@zhanehenderson24]

This movie should have gotten a Oscar or been in the nominations. Great movie. I was in the movies trying so hard to hold my tears in 😂😂😂

[@jazmynnv5831]

I am crying again just watching this video essay and reliving the movie. It’s funny because I held back my tears in the theatre for the most part and sobbed in the car after. You’ve perfectly illustrated here what watching the movie is like and it makes me appreciate the craft of it so much more.

[@makingmediamatter]

So happy you found something special in my video and the film

[@sophia_col]

I held back tears all the way up until kerry died. I didn't stop crying after that. This video made me want to cry again.

[@KEEIITTHH]

Iron claw reminded me of my dead uncle who was a wrestler and that is probably one of the reason why it almost got me crying

[@Sc19869]

The ending when he’s crying seeing his kids play football made me shed some tears and actually felt his pain.

[@Treygatron]

This was beautiful. This movie was my favorite of 2023. As a new father, hearing my childs voice right after the film caused a breakdown in my car. Thank you for examining this film, and I hope it encourages more people to see it.

[@summerrose791]

I hated that most of the interviews people were only asking questions about their body transformations instead of the story itself

[@Gabriel_Oliver]

The Iron Claw was my favorite 2023 film, even though I watched tons, and you expertly put into words why I related to so much off this film so strongly I cried in a cinema for the first time ever. The restraint it shows somehow making the film more grounded and real feeling, putting you uncomfortably close to the situations Eric is in but still far enough away that you feel like you're dissociating with him. The funeral scenes in particular hit home for feeling dead on to some personal experiences and the way I remember those days. As someone with horrendous family luck (not this bad but so bad that we do get joked about being cursed), it really hit home. Thanks for this video essay the 20 minutes flew by. Gonna be re-watching this tons.

[@makingmediamatter]

Such kind words, thank you for watching and I really appreciate the insight you provided here.

[@jessenunez7205]

Me, my little brother, and my gf went to watch this movie. We were all crying and many of the audience members cried too. I haven’t cried in who knows how many years and this movie taught me it’s okay. Crazy the impact films can have

[@wT_Nomad]

Cried my eyes out. As the oldest of 4 siblings, my heart strings were pulled. This movie is so intense.

[@koernerkomedy]

When I saw The Iron Claw, I ducked out to use the bathroom right after the scene with David throwing up in the bathroom, made a joking tweet about how the things seem to be looking up for these Von Ericks, and came back to find David had died offscreen in the few minutes I was gone, and that just about sums up the emotional pacing of this movie.

[@itssosarahh]

So excited that you talked about Iron Claw. I loved that movie - so heartbreaking and beautifully wrought, as is your essay!

[@makingmediamatter]

Thank you!

[@ShinyHunterSolyu]

This movie makes me emotional cause it brings back memories of my older cousin who was more my older brother than anything. Him and my other cousin were big wrestling fans. So when my older cousin died almost 5 years ago, we put over his grave a WWE champion belt. He died at age 33… he didn’t get to meet my kids. I still have my other cousin whom I love just as much, but losing my cousin was the closest to losing a brother. Zach Efron deserved more for this and well the movie in general.

[@chocolate_chipp_00]

This film had me and the boys in tears.

[@travisott9719]

Thank you so much for putting into words what I have been unable to articulate. I love this movie, it's in my top five favorites, yet other people that I have shown this to are left with a bad taste in their mouths because of the sudden cutting of scenes. Now that it has been articulated so well, by you, I can finally effectively communicate why the movie actually works so beautifully. Again, thank you so much!

[@harrycraig7794]

I usually really, really dislike the trope of seeing dead characters in the afterlife in movies, it’s always just heavy-handed and takes me out of things. In the Iron Claw? That shit had me in actual, uncontrollable tears - so, so well done.

[@Mccpotinc]

The whole movie made me very emotional and the end even made me tear up a little. I am very close with my brother so all of the brotherly themes and tragedies really got to me. The part that got me the most was the end when the kids say that they’ll be their dad’s brother. I had the same thing happen when I was a kid with my dad who lost his brother when he was 19. My dad saw me and my brother playing and started crying saying that it reminds him of when he was little and had a brother and he said that we are his brothers now. My brothers middle name is the name of my uncle and who passed and my middle name is my dads. I never really got it until now that we are my dad and his brother together again. This is a great movie and deserves all the praise it gets.

[@YellowDia]

Your video essays are so beautifully put together with so much effort, genuine insight and thought it’s such a pleasure to watch.

[@JohnnysChingaderas]

I dealt with death and suicide in my family and personal myself, i had no clue what my wife and I were getting into when we watched this film, this movie triggered me so hard, lets just say it was a bad night at home. This was a good film and shows the heart aches behind an entire family, this movie is a must watch.

[@greyfirewolf1228]

I had the amazing experience of watching this on a Tuesday afternoon following the opening weekend. The theater was empty and I was all by myself, and when I heard the gunshot with KerryI just broke down sobbing uncontrollably in the theater and continued sobbing up until the end of the credits. For reference, the last time I cried from a place of intense emotion was like a year and half before this film came out, but this film had that profound of an impact on me. I wanted to thank you for helping me put a finger on just what led up to that release of emotion both in the film and in myself. I think I’m going to be thinking about the impact of “restraint” for a while. Amazing video!!

[@makingmediamatter]

Thank you for the kind words!!!

[@jackedwards3069]

It felt like I was watching the family and not a story about the family, the performances and tone set like you said about restraint feels very real human reactions

[@ryanfriscia1132]

I came for the wrestling, but stayed for the emotional arc of the characters. I was aware of all the history, all the events that went down, but those expectations melted away and I just got invested in what was happening on screen.

[@shizzymcreepy52]

just commenting something cause I love this channel and wish it was bigger - ur killing it girl

[@makingmediamatter]

Thank you, that’s so kind of you to say!!! Appreciate the support

[@annjay2581]

My dad really wanted to watch this movie, so I put it on, expecting nothing special and then he left half way through to do something else and I ended up watching it till the end. Made me feel all the feels. Efron deserves more recognition.

[@2kmaj]

I admire how you are able to put how this movie works and makes you feel into words. My favorite movie of last year!

[@CruiserWeightNate777]

this movie was so beautifully made it made me sob like a baby :( just the thought of ever losing my siblings is enough to make me weep

[@Proofcomes]

For people with a family dynamic exactly like the film it really hit hard when i had time to decompress what i just experienced

[@nbgrbtyby55]

This movie broke me , grew up in the south with my brother and a hard ass dad , now I’m not a brother anymore so I related way too much with it in that regard, had me crying

[@Someguywithalotoftism]

I watched it last night and I just cannot stop feeling the movie. I cried and then I cried again just now at a damn cafe lol

[@kickflipking06]

That scene hurt my heart, when he said I use to be a brother and they told them they can be his brothers 😢

[@xdiamonddogx]

This movie and your review, reminded me of just how hard it is to be a man and a brother today. Thank you for that.

[@ricardoardito]

Spot on analysis, thank you for putting this together to dive into how purposeful and great this film was!

[@iankaiser4421]

Truly excellent video! You should be proud of this one. Perfectly laid out why this movie has such an effective story. Thank you

[@shannonhall9094]

Great commentary. This movie really surprised me, and your analysis really paints the picture as to why. I still carry the movie with me. Fantastic work.

[@janiceferdinand8612]

I didn’t understand the magical realism moment.I didn’t think of it as Kevin hoping for that for all his brothers. Thank you for allowing me to look at this scene differently.

[@djgaben6187]

Knowing a good majority about the family and their tragic past, I was still caught off guard with the emotional moments. Everyone was fantastic

[@hannahbray7065]

I really loved your analysis on this! Especially the great visualization/explanation of the differences between the typical biopic and Iron Claw.

[@makingmediamatter]

Thank you!

[@mourndogs]

First of all, I don't know how the algorithm hasn't scooped you up and thrown a few hundred thousand subs at you yet, your videos are so well crafted and thoughtful. And secondly, as a big crier myself, I have to admit that I broke down at the brother's reunion scene with Jacky, but the final scene had my best friend and I both ugly crying.

[@sawlfo]

What a great analysis! It made me tear up by the end!

[@kameronbasseri1953]

Incredibly insightful analysis , masculinity in this film was hard to watch for me because of what the father did to his family psychologically and emotionally, well done keep it up’ !

[@nero3k]

This movie emotionally wrecked me in a way I wasn’t expecting. I watched it with my wife and daughter. They both know that I’m a crier with any movie that focuses on family. I knew the story going in, but the scene at the end with Jack Jr pushed me to a place I never expected. I’ve never dealt where tragedy like that, but it hit me so hard I had to leave the room. I don’t know that’ll I’ll watch it again, but it is a great movie.

[@Marelynn.]

Great commentary, I haven’t seen the film but even watching this video makes me heartbroken, I didn’t know any about the real story but see the topics in the film been managed in a very introspective manner without missing any context about the real story makes me feel like this would be the best biopic

[@developingtank]

Awesome breakdown. This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and I look forward to checking out others.

[@JuanMartinez-wh2ct]

Excellent analysis! Especially on the structure. I loved this movie just as much as you did 😊

[@camisnotokay6623]

this video is amazing!!! your writing and editing is superb!! thank you for making such a great video about this film, it feels like you were able to perfectly articulate the beauty in this film

[@ddwow566]

You are amazing! I couldn’t put my finger on it, but you encapsulated everything I was thinking perfectly

[@CorkyRosebud]

This is a clever and thoughtful critique. Nice!

[@victorialccunha]

loved the video so muchhhh the way you spoke about it, and explained it so well, made me feel like i was watching it [specially the final scene] all over again love from brazil 🇧🇷💜💜💜

[@asher9754]

great video, I subbed! also only watching this movie once was enough it had such an intense impact on me emotionally.

[@danielpeck7743]

Great video it made me tear up a Lil. I love that movie so much

[@pokesNTexans]

This movie made me cry so much. Hits different as a man and a brother

[@alexsajen]

This should have been the highlight of 2023, has all the making of a Oscar winning picture❤

[@JKRJ14]

Beautiful video essay. I learned so many things from your analysis. Made some notes as well. Thank you for making this.

[@eliselaw5927]

This is one of the best essays / analysis surrounding this wonderful film! It was such a snub from the Oscars

[@domferretti]

Probably rhe biggest snub job since The Dark Knight. Efron was incredible. Direction and cinematography was top notch. Damn shame but everybody involved with this film should be incredibly proud.

[@juancuellar6361]

this is so quality, how is this creator not more popular

[@makingmediamatter]

So kind of you to say!!! The grind don’t stop so I hope to get there one day!

[@geronimus4288]

I watched this movie last night, I wish I could have seen it in theatres, and I wish there were more movies providing commentary on men's mental health in such a realistic way. Writing this, I am noticing the ways my own thoughts jump through hoops in order to prevent myself from tearing up. Its been less than 24 hours and I'm genuinely considering if this is one of my favorite movies of all time. Also want to say this video is spot on, your analysis just put into words everything that movie made me feel.

[@maotero98]

This was such an intelligent and well articulated analysis of this film. Thank you for this

[@theligerloverman]

i love how you make me interested in movies i usually would not care about. first sleep away camp now this

[@makingmediamatter]

Happy I could get you interested in a film that I think it amazing! Thank you

[@ViciousPancakes]

Such a good dissection of this film, really made me want to rewatch it once it comes out on streaming. This video is so well put together btw, you make me wish I actually knew how to do motion graphics 😭

[@makingmediamatter]

I really appreciate the compliment and I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this one! The motion graphics were definitely something I tried to focus on with this one

[@user-gm3ld4vm1l]

Really well made review - I felt this movie in my bones.

[@reezyfbaby]

This was amazing to watch.

[@willowisnotweeping]

i haven't even seen the film and just watching your explanation of the end and at the the end there; I cried my eyes out xD

[@calmcmeekin3491]

I went into this movie with full knowledge of the history and story of the Von Erich family. I'd heard blurbs, watched some of their matches, and even heard quotes from the family including *that* quote from Kevin. I still left the movie a complete mess and in tears. It's such a shame that it came out so late and wasn't that widely marketed because I thought that Efron deserved a Best Actor nod at the Oscars. It's genuinely one of the most well made sports movies of all time

[@KobyMathews]

If you have brothers youd do anything for and grew up with an emotionally absent father this movie hits especially hard. Probably the most a movie has ever made me cry

[@beefy45]

I took my parents, younger brother and my gf. The truck ride home was really quiet as we processed our emotions. My dad has a 5 brothers and i have 2. It really hit us in the feels

[@93kisuke]

Awesome video saw this movie last night and chopped onions kept appearing near me.

[@jermainerucker2027]

This film made you restrain yourself just like the characters did. So when you see Kevin finally release at the end. It’s the films way of telling you it’s ok to release to. Than how they rehashed the song the brother played at the party So good

[@darklinaendgame]

This video made me cry!! Subscribed. About to watch your video about Nope, one of my favorite movies.

[@makingmediamatter]

Wow, it means a lot to hear you got so much from the video, thank you for the support!

[@Thathorrorguy12FU]

The guy who played Dave Von Erich was unreal. And he's got an English accent. Incredible.

[@topnotch4564]

i learned soo much. thank you.

[@dogman6687]

I also missed a lot of movies in 2023, but im glad i saw this one in theaters

[@stink..]

Ohh good point about the intro to the movie being like a mission statement for the rest of the movie. I didn’t even think of that. It changes everything for me

[@cammyNpammy]

I knew the movie was gonna be a tragedy, I knew there was gonna be death but I found myself crying intensly atleast 4-5 times. I was immediately attached to Michael and after seeing his end was glad I watched the movie alone. Having lost a very dear friend to suicide and almost myself seeing him pass and the moments before left me grieving intensly enough when I watched the movie with my mother I teared up everytime he was on screen and crying when he was performing at the party and happy. Haven't had a movie leave an impact on me like this in many many years. Truly a tragedy this movie didn't include even a single nomination

[@marcsaravia8241]

I watched the iron claw with my dad 2 days after his sister past it was the first time I saw him tear up