Sydney Sweeney made headlines for undergoing a drastic physical transformation for her upcoming boxing biopic, but critics have finally arrived with a verdict on whether the film lives up to the hype. The film follows the real-life story of legendary boxer Christy Martin, whose tumultuous personal journey comes to a head at the height of her professional career.
As of this writing, Christy has a 61% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 33 reviews. The critical reception has been a bit mixed, but most of the praise has been towards Sweeney, who is receiving early Oscar buzz for her turn as Martin. The Playlist said the film’s star “puts up a hell of a fight to show the complexity of Christy’s story, including the painful topics of domestic violence and homophobia.” Meanwhile, Rolling Stone believes that Christy, while “decent,” primarily serves as a “proof-of-concept regarding Sweeney’s willingness to go the distance for a project.”
Other critics seem to land on a similar consensus that David Michôd’s film fails to impress outside its main star: “A film that remains stubbornly unaffecting. While Sweeney deserves credit for her physical transformation, I wish I had found Christy a little more interesting, with more spark of her own,” The Hollywood Reporter commented. Meanwhile, Screen International concluded that Martin’s journey lends to a captivating story, but the overall film struggles to achieve more than an admirable performance by a “committed Sweeney.”
While Christy’s harrowing multi-decade story immediately engenders urgency, particularly in the hands of a committed Sweeney, Michôd’s film often succumbs to flat characterizations and a limited scope.”
‘Christy’ Trailer Reveals Sydney Sweeney’s Transformation
It’s no secret that Sydney Sweeney trained hard to become a former professional boxer in Christy. From putting on muscles to training for the sport, the Madame Web star completely transformed herself into the role. Her dedication is put on display in the brand-new trailer, which covers Martin’s life in and outside the ring. Of course, it is too early to tell if Sweeney will form part of the awards conversation this season, but as critics have pointed out, the actress may have found her ticket to the Oscars.
In addition to Sweeney, the cast of Christy features Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, and Katy O’Brian. David Michôd, whose previous work includes The King and Animal Kingdom, directed the film based on a screenplay he co-wrote alongside Mirrah Foulkes. Read the film’s official plot synopsis below:
Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster).
But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martin’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim one’s life.
Christy
- Release Date
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November 7, 2025
- Runtime
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135 minutes
- Director
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David Michôd
- Producers
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Brent Stiefel, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Sydney Sweeney, Teddy Schwarzman, John Friedberg, Michael Heimler, Justin Lothrop, Brad Zimmerman, David Levine
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