Alongside Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Lily James, Efron features in the movie The Iron Claw, which explores the tragedy and history of the Von Erich wrestling family.
In addition to focusing on wrestling, the A24 movie delves deeply into the effects of toxic masculinity and the inability to look at feelings.
“That’s one of the things that Sean spoke about early on in this process that drew me to the story” , said Zac Efron.
In the movie, the 36-year-old actor portrays Kevin, the eldest Von Erich sibling who has dedicated his life to professional wrestling under the guidance of his father.
Efron continues: “Examining it, whatever you want to call it, being a guy is hard to do and I think Sean really accomplished it with this movie.”
Although many critics have praised his performance, he did not receive any nominations for the Oscars, Golden Globes, or BAFTAs.
The Greatest Showman actor is happy that the show is hitting home with viewers despite this.
“I think everyone’s going to walk away moved or feeling in some capacity – and that’s everything,” he continues.
The Iron Claw was written and produced by Sean Durkin, who previously wrote and directed Martha Marcy May Marlene, which starred Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson.
His “all-consuming” childhood passion for professional wrestling served as the inspiration for the concept.
Although the fictionalized family history of the Von Erich brothers, according to the 42-year-old, “revolutionized wrestling,” it also presents a “extremely misguided expression of masculinity that has harmed our culture in ways we are only just beginning to understand.”
