Chris not being in the movie annoyed me. I understand it was a creative decision but trying to imagine if someone made a movie about my family and completely leaving out one of my siblings would be awful. I don't care if the runtime would have been longer Chris should have been in the movie.

I actually think Chris' story was the most tragic of the entire family.

Chris needed to be in the movie. Even if it was a minor role. I understand time constraints, but leaving him out is shameful and frankly insulting.

Its BS that they cut Chris. Its a slap in the face to his memory that he isnt important enough to mentioned with his brothers

I think it really is a travesty that Chris wasn’t in this. If you’re going to do a Von Erich film, have the whole family in it. Even the oldest one who died at 5 was even in this and only 2 of the Von Erich’s were alive for him and probably didn't even remember him. What pissed me off was the family photo at the end where the sons are in the ring hugging their dad. Very sentimental, but without Chris in the photo it just seemed so hollow.

Chris deserved to be in the movie. I feel like they REALLY dropped the ball with casting and creative decisions.

Chris Von Erich's end is so tragic. It's a movie unto itself. RIP

The entire film could have been made from his perspective. He grows up idolizing his brothers and when he can't be like them he takes his own life. Of all the stories in there that might be the most tragic one. And the irony of him once again being left out is just terrible. The tragedy of all of them dying is the story. How they influenced each other to take that route. Leaving one out only weakens the story.

Put Chris in the directors cut simple. Director's cuts are usually longer and its strsight to dvd so no need to rush

The saddest part of Chris being omitted from the movie is that, in his heart he was more “Von Erich” than all of the brothers.

Chris didn't even score being in the pics with his family in this movie. Okay, Chris wasn't important enough to mention in the movie, but how can a movie-maker re-create an actual family pic and simply delete a family member. Goodness, at least leave Chris in the pic to give Chris some type of existence.

I just saw this movie, and it was powerful overall, excellent pacing of the storytelling and casting. But the fact that Chris was excluded as if he never existed was just despicable. Because he's story was important given the fact as to why he took his own life not being able to aspire to be like his brothers and is in my opinion the most tragic of all the deaths in the Von Erich family.

At the very least, Chris' life and death should have been mentioned. The omission is disrespectful and compromises the film's accuracy.

If it's going to be a biopic, the movie should tell the full story to include all the brothers.

I solely believe that "I told you to look out for him" line was intended for the real-life kevin. Everyone who knows the story knows that kevin regrets leaving his brother alone that night after chris promised him he wouldn't end his own life.

I can't imagine how anyone who's had a sibling they loved could be ok with them just being erased from their story. Just came home from seeing the film without the foreknowledge that Chris' life and legacy would be ignored...it really ruined the experience for me.

It's crazy that when this story got it's first movie treatment, there was so much tragedy to put on the screen, they had to leave out one VonErich. Life is always more tragic than fiction.

to make a family with a tragic story....it seems awful to not include him

Thinking more about this now, I would’ve understood the decision not to include Chris. One suicide in a movie is bad. Two suicides in a movie is unthinkable. Three would’ve pushed the bar to a very uncomfortable, shocking feeling. So I understand that part. But, if Chris had been in this movie, they should’ve had a scene where someone says Chris is gone and then cut to a quick shot of the memorial service for him. It’s another minute to the movie, which isn’t a lot.

I understand why, but it’s sad and feels like a disservice to the guy to make him the only brother non existent.

I’m a writer, and I love writing about true stories and having to imagine details that can only be speculated on for continuity. They could’ve absolutely included Chris even in a minor role and that would have made it 90% authentic true story instead of having to embellish so much. This families true story is cinematic enough without having to falsify or completely omit anything. And runtime wouldn’t be a problem. If you’re a good writer, you can work it all in.

I enjoyed the film, but I think that it would have worked better as a multi episode limited series. The film already ran for over 2 hours, and with all that happened it is understandable that so many details are kept out due to time restrictions. Along with Chris's story I would have liked for their rivalry with the Freebirds to be touched upon more than it was.

No excuse is a good excuse for totally dismissing a child that committed suicide as if he didn't exist.

I grew up on WCCW, the Von Erichs, Freebirds, Iceman King Parsons and so on. Iron Claw brought back sweet memories. Although the Von Erichs' consistent family tragedies were disturbing, Iron Claw is an amazing film!!! Much respect to Kevin and his boys carrying on the Von Erich legacy in AEW!!!

I just saw the movie (Iron Claw) this afternoon... The actor that played Mike was quite good... You know it's a good actor when he can convey so much with saying so little.

It was clear when watching the film that Mike's character was a combination of both brothers, Mike and Chris. The fact that Kevin's most important desire for the film was to show the love he and his brothers had for each other - and how that was absolutely respected throughout the film is the most important thing. Many movies are made that do not get the blessing from surviving family and it's great to know this film got that blessing from Kevin. I would think that knowing your family's painful, yet incredible story is forever etched into history in a portrayal you approve of is very gratifying. I also think the film did a great job of allowing the viewer to decide for themselves what type of person Fritz Von Erich was and didn't glorify or demonize him - brilliant.

There was no room for Chris Von Erich in this film. That’s very sad.

Chris deserved to walk with his brothers in the end. I mean they included Jack Jr and jack jr didnt even grow up in wrestling like chris did.

While watching the movie i was wondering where chris was. Then when the deaths started happening i was almost thankful he wasnt in the movie. I was just thinking i dont think the audience could handle another death. By the time kerrys death happened i was just tired of feeling sad and was feeling just like kevin on why does this keep happening.

Okay, well... I'm sorry, but I thought the point of the movie was to tell the TRUE STORY of the Von Erich's. YES, what happened to all of them was sad, but it is real life. They should have stayed true to the real life tragedies of these young men. I seriously do not understand this. The whole "one death was [sad] enough." Well, it was real life and it happened. They should've told the whole story. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Chris’ absence from the movie is my only nitpick.

I haven’t seen the movie yet, but if it’s supposed to be about the brothers they should have kept Chris in it. Chris was and is part of the family, he died, people like me, that saw them wrestle, are going to be saddened because even though he was the youngest and smallest, he still gave everything he had in the ring, and to not see him in the movie is just sad. With the exception of Kevyn death just seemed to follow this family.

I'm pretty sure Netflix or Hulu will do a series following this film that will give more detail and that will absolutely include Chris Von Erich the same thing they did with Selena

Pro Wrestling fans know how many Von Erich’s there were. Non wrestlings fans enjoy a movie ! God Bless the Von Erich’s

I strongly felt like when they did research for this film they only spoke to people who knew the family professionally not personally.

So make it a 3 hr movie, tell the whole story

There is certainly a logic to cutting down some aspects of a story in order to get a reasonable run-time for any movie, but cutting Chris out really does feel like a terrible disservice. The poor guy experienced the tragedy as much as the rest of them.

The story was told from a creative narrative, not as a documentary. I am writing a book and screenplay about some amazing real life people who did extraordinary things, but it is hard to include every detail and every nook and cranny. I think they did a great job by amalgamating the two younger brothers to one character to focus on the narrative. The documentaries are already out there. This is a telling of the legend of The Von Erichs. I loved them on Mid-South Wrestling as a kid.

If they casted taller wrestlers for the Kevin and Kerry...Efron or Jeremy could have played Chris...heck even in the trailer.."Gordy" looks like a bulkier Chris. The way I see it...if you gonna say a story about the Von Erichs...include ALL the wrestlers because Chris was a factor with Davids death as well as his statute and injuries.

As a fan of wrestling during that time it is hard to get over all the stuff that was cut out. It makes sense sine their story is so full of tragedy and legacy that it is difficult to fit in a 2 or 3 hour movie.

I don’t agree when dealing with true life source material. You make it work

Thats actually good journalism. Salute to whoever did this piece

It's one thing they didn't have time for him to have a character but to not even have him in family pics or have a kid running around in the background is just crazy to me. Like he never existed.

Should have been a mini drama series. The saddest part is their story deserved the time and effort no matter how hard it would be to put together.

I saw the movie twice and was wondering why he wasn’t included ?? Was such a great tragic real life movie 😢😢😢

No true story put into film is ever really the truest story. If the last surviving brother is good with it, who am I to argue. I'm just glad they're finally getting the recognition they deserve.

Why do people make it sound like that Mike came along into the sport after David’s death? Most Ol school fans know that Mike came along while David was still alive.

I grew up watching these guys. They were a favorite of my mothers. I knew how it was going to end. I cried all thru the movie. RIP Chris... it's understandable as it would seem repetitive in movie form. Good thing awesome people made these videos so all that searched could learn all the facts.

Kevin said, "Just make it already, so I can get this check!"

Thanks for letting us know. I was gonna watch this week but i'll pass until it hits streaming.

I believe leaving him out was a bad move but the movie was already long. Chris would have strengthened the story by emphasizing the unbelievable tragedy it was.

As a life long fan of the Von Erich family, I found a lot of stuff missing from the movie. My wife who is not a wrestling fan liked the movie so I guess it can go both ways. But I will say that this, the Von Erich family story should of not been made for the big screen, instead it should of been made for Netflix, Peacock or Starz. The reason being is that this could've of easily gone into 5 or 6 seasons, (one Season for the Dad & a season for each son) I also would've loved to have seen the families reaction to the death of Bruiser Brody since they were such good friends with him.

That decision was one which was very disrespectful to the legacy of the Von Erich family. Younger viewers who aren’t familiar with the family will be lead to believe Chris didn’t exist, and he deserves his story to be known as much as the rest do.

Whatever the reason it was a bad decision. You either tell the true story or don't bother with the project.

Next a 3 musketeers movie but lets leave 1 out😂😂

I was totally unfamiliar with the story until seeing the film, I loved it and then when looking up more details in the car on my phone I found out about Chris and now I quite dislike this movie. Leaving out one of the siblings is SOOO disrespectful, especially since its THEIR story as a family, you can't just leave one out :/

Message to the filmmakers: You know what, it's better to include Chris and avoid having to explain yourself every time, and sound less and less convincing in the process to a majority of people. By contrast, if you included Chris and devoted less than 5 minutes within the feature to him, no one would complain, because the big brothers were the stars. You f'd up.

This movie should have been a miniseries. They left out a lot.

Truly a shitting thing to do to the one brother who because of his size & health issue was left out of the Glory his brothers achieved in wrestling. While Mike's injury & suicide was extremely tragic, it took a larger toll on Chris, because he felt the need to step up.

How was there deaths similar? I'm from Texas and was a teen in the 80's. The Von Erich's were ROCKSTARS in Texas. I remember everything and their deaths were nothing alike. I love that their story is being told. You can't imagine how HUGE this family was back then I hate that Chris isn't in it

I don’t think Chris or any of the deaths ( David’s daughter)should have been taken out of the movie. This wasn’t their “movie “, this was their life, their reality. As tragic and heartbreaking as it is, to say “ it was too many deaths for the movie” or “ the deaths were too similar “ is deplorable.

Too much tragedy and not enough time to put him in. I wonder how he started wrestling. He was so fragile. I think they took it easy on Fritz

In my opinion that's messed up, Chris mattered just as much as his older brothers did. His story should've been told as well.

Should have been a short series like 6 episodes - it was a very interesting story of insanely bad luck. Taking time to make that into what it actually was meant to be, and telling the story of the family should have been paramount.

Why doesn't he just say he's not good enough of a writer to include Chris & keep it moving. I saw the movie, I guess Chris needed to be cut to make room for (SPOILER ALERT) David Von Erich jerking off in the shower. Chris' story and death was really an essential part of the Von Erich tragedy as a whole but seeing as Durkin seriously chopped what really happened to bits and just left the cliff notes remaining, young Chris became expendable. I came to the conclusion that this movie wasn't meant for hardcore old school wrestling fans who have been following this Von Erich story for decades but to casuals and general audience members coming into the movie cold. Some people who are the former, including me, found this story to be pretty hollow & rushed. It seems like once David died, Durkin hit the gas & sped right through the unfolding events which in reality took 9 years & wrapped it up in 2 years for his story. I know that was enough for the overwhelming majority of people & I'm happy so many loved this movie & got even a small taste of the Von Erich story, but for me it was a kind of a letdown. Letdown as in story, acting was geat. I thought Zac Efron and Holt McCallany were outstanding & if they don't at least get an Oscar nomination its a crime. Years before The Iron Claw was even greenlit I always thought there's no way to do true justice to the Von Erich story in a movie thats 2 - 2 & a half hours long & that a tv series on streaming was the best way to go. After the Iron Claw I feel even more strong about that now but I think that ship has sailed because despite my disappointment with it, this movie is a huge hit & I don't see anyone trying to tackle an even more in depth and more accurate re-telling of the story anytime soon if at all.

I'm still shocked at how Chris Von Erich ended up so short in stature, compared to his brothers. It's a shame how he ended up screwed genetically, plus he had issues with fragile bones. Excluding him made no sense. I know I will get backlash for this, but there's always been discrimination against short males and poor Chris ended up a 5'4 male. If he was 5 inches taller, I bet he would have been included.

Similar to how Prince of Arabia was missing from "Straight Outta Compton".

In an interview the director also felt that for non-wrestling fans (the vast majority of people) Chris’ suicide would have been too much of a downer and pushed the audiences believability too far. That movie was already tragic enough.

This story could be told in completion if they made a limited 6 or 8 part series on Netflix or Prime maybe Paramount. Take the time to make sure the actors were actual look a likes instead of combining characters . I saw the movie ... it is a nice tribute that glossed over alot of important details ...seemed rushed ... I think a short series would be better.

They shouldn't have cut Chris, it made the movie disingenuous and feel incomplete to what could've been a great movie. It still was great to anyone that doesn't do any research or have any idea who the Von Erich's were/are.

Kevin is great guy. Tough guy who also saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Much respect

Kevin is a kind soul

I know they said they cut him for reasons but I still hate they didn't give him an honorable mention or something Chris deserved to be in this movie 🤬

As a person who grew up during the "Attitude Era" I've never heard of the family. I stumbled across this movie on Max and this movie was depressing as shit, but a great movie. 5 out of 6 sons die and 3 by suicide has to be devastating especially for the mother

Kevin is such an amazing soul.....God Bless him

do they mention him at the end?? with the text? i forgot

I watched the film yesterday and left thinking, “Wtf? Did I just watch….It was 2 hours of death and heartache.” I think that is why they put in that strange scene at the end of the dead brothers on the river- to try and offset some of the heaviness from the film. I can see why the omitted the death of David’s daughter and Mike. It would just be too much unless they made the movie 3 hours. It was more like watching a World War II movie with trench war fare than it was a sports movie. It is just a very sad story with a glimmer of hope at the end. It was well done, but the heaviness of the movie makes it far from gratifying to watch. I woke up the next day, with a sad feeling about what happened to the Von Erich family.

Families always say, you never leave behind nobody in your Family ❤. You support every Family member as unique and special. And Chris needed that credit and respect as how the rest of his Brothers did. Yes I am sure it was going to be 😢even more sad one more death of the Brothers but it was their loving 🥰 true story. All the time God is good 😢💝🎆🎁⭐️🎊🙏🤗🌎💒😇

While I still enjoyed the film, a Von Erich limited series would have hit hard. I mean, you could even make a series that just revolved around Kerry's career in wrestling, he lived a HELL of a life.

I fully understand from a creative perspective how one of the brothers had to be a composite of two, but to not even mention him in the end credits or have a photo of him was in poor taste on A24s part. I can't believe I had to find out online that there was a whole brother missing.

They even had baby Jackie in the movie! To leave Chris out was just wrong. Even a brief bit about Chris would have been at least “ok” but to cut the smallest, youngest brother out completely, is just so disrespectful

I'm hoping now that a movie has been made that they make a mini series which would allow for alot that the movie given its time restraints couldn't!

The combined hardship and heartbreak that their mother and Kevin has endured makes a Greek Tragedy seem meaningless. I hope that people get the same message I walked away with after watching this movie; tell your loved ones you love them…..each and every day.

I was and still a fan, but Chris needed to be in the movie… The movie felt very in complete.

My grandma and I watched this together yesterday. They did an amazing job.

Understandable

Makes sense,really. Too many heartbreaking scenes one after the other and when Kerry Von Erich (Jeremy Allen White) died, it was already too heavy and painful to watch at that point ---- the afterlife scene of Kerry, Mike, David and Jack,Jr was a breather. Thanks to Sean Durkin for incorporating that spiritual element to the movie. Afterall, Kevin Von Erich (Zac Efron) was already in pain for the most part of the movie.

That’s actually disheartening. Because even when Chris was alive he felt excluded from his brothers because he was smaller and had weak bones. And to not put him in the movie just further throws him out. The real fans didnt forget about you Chris!❤

It should have been a show

Strange I was wondering why there wasn’t a fifth brother and I also felt like each death was rushed. But it’s a long movie and a lot of story to tell. This could have been a really good HBO or showtime miniseries but I’m still happy with what we got.

Watch the "Lapse fan" podcast review on the movie. They explain many of the stuff that were missing, or change.

Since the VonErich families lives and tragedies were so well known do to their popularity it made zero sense leaving Chris out of the movie. Why censor a life story youve been given permission to tell and not tell the story as thorough as possible? I feel like the balance the director thought he would lose could have been found if he worked closer with kevin or people close to the family to inject the levity he thought he needed. There could have been dream sequences or flashback memories instead of just omitting Chris who's story deserved to be told imo. Also would have definitely added kevins story when he tried to go to jail and some good old texas boys helped save him from himself. The closer you can stay true the better.

This should of been a TV series

They could have done an epilogue text at the end saying Mike died on such and such a day and Chris died on such a such a day.

The director literally said it’s already to dark and sad enough

Yeah, I just don't get it. They said that adding Chris would've been too much of an addition to the tragedy. But, to me that's exactly why they should've included him. To add to the fact that this family was cursed. Still a wonderful movie though.

Chris should have been in it. His story was the what ties it all together and you really see how far the family had fallen when they lost Chris.

Blame the the writer and then blame the director! If Chris was in the movie it would’ve been my fav wrestling movie

I'm also surprised that Marc lowreance was not even mentioned in the movie as well.

Leaving him out is just wrong. It made no sense to leave him out.