Once upon a time, we’d have told you that we had zero interest in watching a film about wrestling – but then Florence Pugh’s Fighting With My Family rocketed into our lives, hot on the heels of Netflix’s GLOW, and our minds were changed forever.

So it’ll come as no surprise to learn that we’re desperate to clap our eyes on A24’s new film, The Iron Claw… not least because it’s based on a devastating true story.

Watch the trailer for The Iron Claw below:

There’s a reason Adele branded this one her “favourite movie of the year”, so here’s what you need to know about The Iron Claw ahead of its UK release.

What is The Iron Claw about?

Directed by Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), this biopic depicts the true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s.

“Through tragedy and triumph, under the shadow of their domineering father and coach, the brothers seek larger-than-life immortality on the biggest stage in sports,” reads the official synopsis.

Considering the family was so dogged by misfortune that the term the “Von Erich curse” was famously coined, you can go into this one expecting an intense drama that deals with some big issue topics, including substance abuse, grief, reckless behaviour and self-harm.

Who stars in The Iron Claw?

Alongside Efron and James, this much-hyped film stars Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Maura Tierney and Holt McCallany.

What are people saying about The Iron Claw?

Critics are calling this film a career-best performance for Efron, prompting the actor to tell Deadline that The Iron Claw presents the sort of opportunity he’s always been waiting for.

“I’ve always wanted, and I feel like maybe this is it, just the opportunity through a movie to leave something of value for the audience,” he says.

“I’ve got kind of a commitment to the audience to give them what this movie does, and that’s the ability to rethink and revitalise. This experience and hearing people’s words on the movie, it just means everything, man. It’s hard to put into words.”

When and where can we watch The Iron Claw?

The Iron Claw will be released in UK cinemas on Friday 9 February.

Images: A24