by Cyn’s Corner
Sydney Sweeney continues her evolution as a serious dramatic performer in Christy, a biopic based on the life of pioneering boxer Christy Martin. Best known as one of the first women to break into mainstream boxing in the 1990s, Martin’s career was marked not only by her accomplishments in the ring, but by the harrowing abuse she endured from her trainer and husband, Jim Martin.
What makes Christy compelling isn’t just the story of athletic achievement—it’s the deeply personal journey of a woman fighting for her identity and survival. Sweeney plays against type here, trading glamour for grit, and it works. She captures Christy’s determination and defiance, even if the makeup team struggles to make her look convincingly middle-aged by the film’s final act. Her physical transformation and emotional restraint are among her strongest performances yet, even if her portrayal in Eden might remain her career high point for me so far.
Ben Foster, nearly unrecognizable, gives an outstanding performance as Jim Martin, embodying his manipulative charm and violent volatility without slipping into caricature. The dynamic between the two is tense, claustrophobic, and at times, difficult to watch—but that’s what makes it effective.
The film flows pretty well, balancing Christy’s rise in boxing with her increasingly dangerous home life. Its biggest shortcomings come in the compression of key events near the end and its somewhat simplified portrayal of Christy’s later years. The final act could have lingered longer on the aftermath of what happened to her.
After watching Netflix’s Untold: Deal with the Devil (2021), it’s clear the movie stays surprisingly true to life, though the documentary paints a more complete picture of her legacy and fame. Together, they form a powerful double feature about a woman who broke barriers, both physical and emotional, in a male-dominated sport.
Christy doesn’t reinvent the sports biopic formula, but its emotional power lies in the performances and the brutal honesty of its subject matter. It’s an intense and well-crafted film that confirms Sydney Sweeney’s range and leaves you with a newfound respect for one of boxing’s toughest survivors.
Rating: 7.5/10