A still from ‘Christy’
| Photo Credit: Black Bear Pictures
Sydney Sweeney takes on the role of trailblazing boxer Christy Martin in Christy, a new sports biopic from Black Bear Pictures. The film, directed by David Michôd, will open in U.S. theaters on November 7 after premiering last week at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Based on the true story of Martin, who rose from small-town West Virginia to become one of the most prominent women boxers in the 1990s, Christy charts her rise to fame and the personal battles that shaped her journey.
Her ascent is guided, and complicated, by her trainer-turned-husband Jim Martin, played by Ben Foster. Their relationship, initially tied to her career, turns increasingly volatile, with Jim at one point threatening: “If you leave me, I’ll kill you.”
The film’s cast also features Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Jess Gabor, Chad Coleman, Bryan Hibbard, Tony Cavalero and Gilbert Cruz. Michôd co-wrote the screenplay with Mirrah Foulkes, from a story developed with Katherine Fugate. Sweeney also serves as a producer alongside Michôd, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Teddy Schwarzman, Brent Stiefel and Justin Lothrop.
At TIFF, Sweeney received early acclaim for her physical and emotional performance, with some critics suggesting the film could position her as a serious awards contender. Speaking at the premiere, she explained her preparation: “I trained two to three times a day, every day, and then while I was filming, I trained as well.”
Christy is set to enter the awards-season conversation when it hits theaters this fall.
Published – September 12, 2025 10:13 am IST
