Sydney Sweeney is stepping into the ring in her boldest role yet. The ‘Euphoria’ star takes on the real-life story of Christy Martin, one of the most celebrated female boxers of all time, in David Michod’s upcoming biopic ‘Christy’.
The first trailer has just been unveiled, and it shows Sweeney fully transformed into the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” who became a groundbreaking figure in women’s sports during the 1990s.
Sydney Sweeney Delivers A Knockout Performance As Christy Martin In ‘Christy’ Trailer
‘Christy’s trailer captures Martin’s unlikely rise from small-town roots to boxing superstardom. However, it doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of her life. This includes an abusive relationship with her trainer and manager, troubled family dynamics, and the personal battles she endured outside the ring. What begins as a story of empowerment and discovery slowly reveals the painful costs of her success.
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The movie, directed by David Michod, has already started making waves on the festival circuit. Its world premiere took place on September 5 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where reactions have been mixed, but Sweeney’s performance has been singled out for praise. Taking on the role of Christy Martin was never going to be easy. The boxer’s story is one of grit, perseverance, and resilience against the odds, not just in the ring but in her personal life.
The trailer shows her throwing punches with real power, embodying Martin’s ferocity and determination as she rises through the ranks of a male-dominated sport. Yet the performance goes beyond physicality. The film delves into Martin’s turbulent relationship with her husband and trainer, Jim Martin, a man who both built her career and inflicted deep abuse.
This contrast between triumph and trauma makes the story more than a standard sports biopic. As audiences watch Sweeney’s Christy climb toward boxing glory, they are also forced to reckon with the personal costs of her success. While the movie may not be an awards juggernaut, Sweeney’s performance could mark an important milestone in her career.
Sydney Sweeney Took Real Punches Filming ‘Christy’
If the trailer makes the fight scenes look authentic, it’s because Sweeney endured them firsthand. Speaking with Variety at TIFF, the actress revealed that she suffered real injuries while filming, including a black eye from recreating Christy Martin’s iconic fight against Laila Ali. “I was getting pummeled,” Sweeney admitted, describing how the boxing sequences were shot back-to-back in a grueling week of production.
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“They were holding ice packs to my face in between takes. I had some gnarly bruises after that.” On top of 12-hour shooting days, she trained for another two hours every night to keep her conditioning sharp. The relentless schedule tested her both physically and mentally. Still, she embraced the challenges, acknowledging that the hardships helped her better understand the sacrifices real athletes like Martin endure.
While reviews for Christy remain mixed, its Rotten Tomatoes score slipped from an early 70% to 63% after more reviews came in. One thing is clear: Sydney Sweeney is no longer just an emerging star; she’s proving herself as a leading actress. The box office, however, remains an open question. Sweeney’s recent projects have struggled to find big audiences despite her growing fame. However, ‘Christy’ may connect more strongly with mainstream moviegoers.
