Christy delivers a solid, no-punches-pulled look at the turbulent rise of boxing phenomenon Christy Martin. The boxing biopic mixes the punishing world of professional fighting with an intensely personal drama unfolding outside the ring, with Sydney Sweeney’s transformative performance front and center.
Directed by David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), Christy begins by dropping us right into the emotional firestorm surrounding Christy’s life in small-town West Virginia. Her excitement over winning $300 is quickly eclipsed when her parents discover she has a girlfriend, Rosie, kicking off a major family crisis rooted in her sexual orientation. It’s this background of personal turmoil that pushes Christy toward an unlikely new career when a boxing promoter’s representative calls with a tempting offer: a $500 purse for a fight.
What follows is the familiar, yet mostly engaging, underdog narrative. Christy has an unorthodox style in the ring and a natural power that impresses promoter Larry Carrier. She quickly finds herself under the wing of trainer Jim Martin, a vile man who doesn’t respect female boxers and has a very rigid view of the world. Martin rules every aspect of Christy’s life, forcing her to demean herself for money. Under his thumb, Christy isn’t allowed to exhibit any signs of female solidarity. Their professional relationship—forged to keep Christy’s sexuality in the closet and out of any publicity—evolves into something much more disturbing and complex, driving the central conflict of the film.
Christy shines brightest in its depiction of the evolution of Christy’s fighting style and her personal sacrifices. Her climb from the unknown Coal Miner’s Daughter to a powerhouse champion fighting for Don King (Chad Coleman, The Orville) includes historic moments like being the first woman to fight on a Mike Tyson undercard and the first female boxer to grace a Sports Illustrated cover. The boxing sequences are remarkably effective and brutal, capturing the physical and emotional toll of the sport.
However, Christy moves at an uneven pace, covering significant ground quickly while occasionally lingering on less-developed subplots. Certain supporting characters, particularly her boxing team and opponents, are painted in broad strokes, in some cases so broad it’s difficult to tell who is who. Her controlling, chauvinistic trainer is slightly better developed; in large part, that’s due to Ben Foster’s performance.
Christy does not shy away from the dark side of success, including the abuse of power, jealousy, and financial exploitation that can plague the lives of star athletes. The film isn’t perfect but it is powerful.
Michôd’s first feature film since 2019’s The King is an intense examination of Christy Martin’s life and career, touching on difficult subjects including abuse, sexuality, and the struggle of women competing in male-dominated sports. (You could easily sub in basketball or soccer for boxing.) Sweeney’s riveting transformation into the trailblazing boxer helps the film over the rough spots. Even when the story lags, Sydney Sweeney’s performance keeps the audience engaged and invested.
GRADE: B-
Runtime: 135 minutes
Release Date: November 7, 2025
Rating: R for violence, bloody images, language, some drug use, and sexual material
Screenplay By: Mirrah Foulkes and David Michôd, story by Katherine Fugate
Distributor: Black Bear
Starring: Sydney Sweeney, Ben Foster, Chad Coleman, Katy O’Brian, and Merritt Wever
