Sydney Sweeney stars as boxer Christy Martin in a new biopic that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 and released theatrically in the United States on November 7, 2025. The film, titled Christy, chronicles Martin’s rise to prominence as America’s most recognizable female boxer in the 1990s, and the subsequent attempted murder by her husband in 2010.
Directed by David Michôd and written by Michôd and Mirrah Foulkes, the film features Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, and Chad L. Coleman alongside Sweeney. Martin, nicknamed “the Coal Miner’s Daughter,” was the first woman signed by boxing impresario Don King and was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Sweeney’s preparation for the role involved intensive physical training, drawing on her prior experience with martial arts. “From age twelve to nineteen I did kickboxing and grappling. I love challenges and Christy’s story is exactly that – full of physical and emotional demands,” Sweeney stated in a recent interview. The actress reportedly underwent a significant physical transformation to portray the boxer authentically, building muscle mass and learning boxing techniques.
The film does not shy away from the darker aspects of Martin’s life. In 2010, Martin was attacked by her then-husband, Jim Martin, who shot and stabbed her. She survived the attack and continued to advocate for victims of domestic violence. The biopic depicts this harrowing event, adding a layer of complexity to Martin’s story of athletic achievement.
Despite the critical acclaim for Sweeney’s performance, Christy experienced a disappointing box office opening. Earning $1.3 million during its opening weekend, the film was classified by Box Office Mojo as one of the twelve worst openings for a new release debuting on over 2,000 screens. By its second week, the film had fallen to #23 at the box office, and has been widely considered a box-office bomb.
Christy Martin herself was present at a gym in downtown Los Angeles to discuss the film, demonstrating some of the boxing moves that defined her career. She was accompanied by her Pomeranian, Champ, whom she described as a source of calm. The film’s release coincides with a renewed interest in Martin’s life and legacy, highlighting her impact on women’s boxing and her resilience in the face of adversity.
