I walked into the World Premiere of Christy without any expectations. I’m not a sports person, and to be honest, I didn’t even know who Christy Martin was until the casting news broke that Sydney Sweeney would be playing her.
The film follows Christy Martin (Sweeney), a determined woman who fought her way into becoming one of the most recognizable female boxers in U.S. history. Alongside her rise to fame, the story explores her closeted sexuality and her complicated relationships, including those with her manager and husband Jim Martin (Ben Foster), her ex-girlfriend Rosie (Jess Gabor), and her parents Joyce (Merritt Wever) and John (Ethan Embry).
Right from the opening sequence, which features Tears for Fears’ Head Over Heels, I had a gut feeling that I was about to witness something very special. Within 30 minutes, that gut-instinct was confirmed as my eyes were glued to the screen watching Sydney Sweeney completely disappear into a role which only became more and more impressive as time went on.
At just over two hours, Christy covers a lot of ground. It begins with Christy’s exploration of her sexuality and the rejection she faces from her parents, before shifting to the moment she stumbles into boxing. Boxing was not originally her passion, but something she discovers by chance after receiving a phone call. Her first fight leads her to believe that she could break through as a female boxer with the right trainer. This is when she is introduced to Jim, who reluctantly agrees to coach her.
While the boxing sequences are impressive, especially since Sweeney completely transformed herself physically for the role, the real weight of the film lies in Christy’s personal relationships. Ben Foster, who is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors, delivers another powerhouse turn. His portrayal of Jim is fairly unlikable from the start, but as the story progresses, he becomes an abusive, manipulative, and controlling douchebag. Foster is so good in this role that I hope that he finally receives some much deserved love come awards season.
As for Sydney Sweeney, she delivers what can be best described as a performance of a lifetime. This is such a remarkable performance that it is almost impossible to decide what is more impressive: her complete embodiment of Christy or the rawness and intensity of her scenes with Foster and Weaver. The ending is especially powerful, giving the audience the chance to witness Christy finally breaking free from the control of her parents and Jim to embrace her true self. At its core, this is a story of perseverance and self-discovery that will leave audiences with a sense of hope.
Director David Michôd captures the fight sequences with such intensity while also allowing the quieter moments to resonate just as strongly. The script, written by Mirrah Foulkes and Michôd, covers a wide range of material without ever feeling bloated. My only real complaint is that I wished for more explanation of Christy’s relationship with her father, though that is only a minor issue.
Christy avoids many of the clichés that weigh down traditional sports dramas and biopics. Yes, it can be dark and heavy, but Christy Martin’s story is inspiring, both for the obstacles that she overcame in boxing and for the way she has since dedicated her life to helping survivors of domestic abuse.
Christy is not just a sports movie, it is a life-affirming tale about overcoming the odds while staying true to who you are. A must-see that doubles as one of the best films of 2025.
Grade: 9/10
Awards Buzz: In my opinion, Sydney Sweeney should be one of the front-runners for Best Actress. What she does in this film has yet to be matched by any other performance I have seen this year. Ben Foster also belongs in the Best Supporting Actor conversation. His work in the final act is haunting, stripping away any trace of humanity as he transforms into a real-life monster. In a perfect world, this film gets a Best Picture and a Best Makeup and Hairstyling nomination as well. I don’t think it will get in for direction as that category is totally stacked already but it could potentially see a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination with the right campaign.
