Sydney Sweeney, one of the most talked-about stars in Hollywood, has delivered a powerful performance in her new film, Christy, cutting through the noise of recent controversies to prove she is a formidable acting talent.
Released in UK cinemas on November 28, 2025, the boxing biopic arrives amidst a flurry of personal scrutiny aimed at its lead actress. Sweeney has found herself at the centre of culture wars, from her political affiliations to the misinterpretation of her American Eagle ad campaign. Yet, Christy serves as a potent reminder that her abilities extend far beyond the tabloid headlines.
Beyond the Controversy: The Story of Christy Martin
The film tells the incredible real-life story of Christy Martin, the trailblazing boxer who legitimised women's boxing. Sweeney not only stars as Martin but also produced the project, demonstrating a deep commitment to the role.
Directed by David Michôd and co-written by Michôd and Mirrah Foulkes, the film charts Martin's hardscrabble beginnings. It follows her journey as she uses her raw talent and determination to overcome a patriarchal sport and become a champion.
Where Christy distinguishes itself from a standard underdog story is in its darker, more complex narrative threads. The film explores Christy's life as a gay woman in the 1980s, a time when homosexuality was far less accepted. Her conservative Catholic mother, played by Merritt Wever, is horrified, and Christy is pushed further into the closet by her trainer and future husband, Jim Martin (Ben Foster).
Jim, a 47-year-old who sees the 22-year-old Christy as his meal ticket, instructs her to present a more feminine image to succeed. He tells her, ‘Nobody wants to watch a butch girl fight,’ forcing her to grow her hair and wear baby pink shorts in the ring. This rebranding catches the eye of legendary promoter Don King (Chad L. Coleman), who dubs her ‘The Coal-Miner’s Daughter’ and rockets her to fame.
A Performance That Packs a Punch
For the role, Sydney Sweeney underwent a significant physical and aesthetic transformation. She trained for months, bulked up by 30lbs, and learned a West Virginia accent. She wears brown contact lenses and unflattering wigs, deliberately dowdying up her usual glamour to fully inhabit the character.
This is more than just cosmetic change, however. Sweeney delivers a performance that is both vulnerable and fearless, truly disappearing into the role rather than simply showcasing herself. She physically embodies the boxer, conveying her strength and her hidden struggles with equal conviction.
The film takes a jaw-dropping turn in its third act, revealing the terrible irony that the world's best female boxer could not defend herself against domestic abuse. Jim’s controlling behaviour escalates from dictating her diet and friends to the ultimate threat: ‘If you leave me, I’ll kill you.’
More Than Just a Celebrity Vehicle
While the film itself has been reported as a flop, it's worth noting that other Oscar contenders like Dwayne Johnson's The Smashing Machine also underperformed quietly. At 135 minutes, some critics feel Christy could have been tighter, and the script might not delve deep enough into its protagonist's psyche.
Yet, the overwhelming takeaway is the power of Sweeney's performance. She proves she has the acting chops to shoulder a major biographical drama, moving decisively beyond her status as a culture-war symbol or celebrity clickbait.
In Christy, Sydney Sweeney doesn't just play a fighter; she proves she is one, delivering an absolute knockout performance that demands to be seen.
