Synopsis: The life and the incredible career of Christy Martin, the most successful female boxer of the 1990s.
Director: David Michôd
Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Chad L. Coleman, Katy O’Brian
David Michôd’s Christy is a gripping sports drama that chronicles the turbulent life of Christy Martin, the trailblazing boxer who put women’s boxing on the map in the 1990s. With Sydney Sweeney in the lead role and Ben Foster portraying her abusive husband and trainer Jim Martin, the film is both a celebration of resilience and a harrowing exploration of control and survival.
From the outset, Christy establishes itself as more than just another boxing biopic. Michôd, working from a script co-written with Mirrah Foulkes, grounds the film in authenticity, aided by Christy Martin herself, who was closely involved in the production. The result is a story that balances the visceral thrill of the ring with the painful realities outside of it.
Sydney Sweeney’s performance is the film’s beating heart. Known to many audiences through her roles in Euphoria and The White Lotus, Sweeney has often been the subject of tabloid chatter about her personal life and fashion choices. Yet Christy is a reminder that her acting ability should never be overshadowed by gossip. She underwent months of gruelling training to embody Martin’s physicality, and the fight sequences showcase her transformation into a convincing, menacing boxer. More importantly, Sweeney captures the emotional complexity of Martin: her ambition, her struggles with sexuality in a hostile environment, and her determination to survive an abusive marriage. It’s a performance of grit and vulnerability, one that cements Sweeney as a serious dramatic talent.
Ben Foster, meanwhile, delivers a chilling turn as Jim Martin. Foster has long been known for disappearing into morally complex or villainous roles, and here he is terrifyingly effective. His portrayal of coercive control is unsettling, making Jim both manipulative and menacing. Foster’s intensity is so convincing that Christy Martin herself reportedly found it difficult to be near him on set. His work ensures that the film’s depiction of abuse is not sensationalized but deeply disturbing, highlighting the stakes of Christy’s survival.
The supporting cast, including Merritt Wever as Christy’s mother Joyce and Katy O’Brian as Lisa Holewyne, adds depth to the narrative. Wever embodies the tension of a conservative family unwilling to accept Christy’s sexuality, while O’Brian provides a sense of hope and eventual healing.
Visually, Germain McMicking’s cinematography captures both the glamour and brutality of the boxing world. The fight scenes are shot with visceral energy, while quieter domestic moments emphasize the claustrophobic nature of Christy’s relationship with Jim. Antony Partos’ score underscores the emotional highs and lows, from the adrenaline of the ring to the despair of isolation.
Ultimately, Christy succeeds because it refuses to reduce its subject to a sports cliché. It is a film about survival, identity, and the courage to fight both inside and outside the ring. Sydney Sweeney’s performance is revelatory, proving she is far more than the tabloid persona often discussed in the media. Ben Foster’s chilling work provides the perfect counterbalance, making the film both inspiring and unsettling.
For audiences, Christy is not just a boxing movie—it’s a story of resilience and triumph, anchored by two of the year’s most powerful performances.
Grade: B+
Watch the movie trailer:
