Joey Magidson
One of my favorite films of the year is The Iron Claw. Clearly a passion project for writer/director Sean Durkin, he puts his heart and soul into it, channeling a love of wrestling, the Von Erich family, and more into a work that absolutely obliterated me. I’d admired his prior two movies, but this is on another level. I’d spoken to him about his last flick The Nest a few years ago here, but literally moments after The Iron Claw ended, I was working on setting up a conversation with Durkin. Last week, it finally was able to happen. Today, it comes your way!
In my rave review of the movie, found here, I had the following to say about Durkin’s work:
Filmmaker Sean Durkin has already made two strong films in Martha Marcy May Marlene and The Nest, but The Iron Claw is, to date, his masterpiece. The control he has on display is incredible, making the brotherly love so palpable, as well as the affection for the career of choice. The sport aspect of wrestling, as well as the impact is has on the actual wrestlers, is never taken for granted. Durkin’s direction makes every match visceral but also oddly beautiful. His writing invests you in every member of the Von Erich clan. Then, there’s his decision to include one sequence that ventures away from fact to speculation. I wouldn’t dare say what it is, but you’ll know it when you see it. A moment within that scene brought out perhaps my hardest tears of 2023. It’s perfectly handled. I stand in awe of Durkin’s work here.
Below, you can hear my discussion with Durkin. This was actually the last interview I did during a marathon session with the cast of the film, so I reference those conversations a lot. We talk a bit about wrestling, how he worked with the actors, and more. It goes to a lot of places, but always comes back to how phenomenal the movie is. You’re going to be able to see it in a matter of days, so once you do, you’ll understand why I’m so over the moon for The Iron Claw…
Here now is my interview with The Iron Claw filmmaker Sean Durkin. Enjoy:
The Iron Claw is in theaters this weekend!
[…] so I was delighted to chat with him about it. My previous discussions with filmmaker Sean Durkin (here), as well as cast members Maura Tierney (here), Stanley Simons (here), Zac Efron and Jeremy […]