CHRISTY Review

Few sports stories are as naturally cinematic as that of Christy Martin — the first woman to ever box on pay-per-view and, unintentionally, a trailblazer for women’s boxing. Christy aims to honor that legacy, showing how a small-town fighter from West Virginia became a symbol of perseverance and empowerment. Unfortunately, the film often buries that power beneath convention and formula, opting for the expected over the profound.

The film’s first act chronicles Martin’s unlikely ascent — a young woman with god-given instincts and a sledgehammer of a punch who practically stumbles into the sport. These early sequences have a raw, scrappy energy, showing flashes of the greatness to come. But as the rounds go on, the script loses focus, more interested in what happened as opposed to why it mattered.

FINDS ITS FOOTING OUTSIDE THE RING

It’s only in the second half — when the gloves come off — that Christy truly finds its voice. The story pivots to Martin’s life beyond boxing, namely her volatile marriage to trainer Jim Martin (played by a disturbingly effective Ben Foster). Their relationship becomes the emotional core of the film, pulling no punches in depicting years of psychological and physical abuse.

Foster, ever the chameleon, brings chilling authenticity to Jim’s toxic control. His performance is hard to watch, but that’s the point — it’s the kind of realism that makes the audience feel trapped alongside Christy, desperate for her escape.

SYDNEY SWEENEY WINS WITH K.O.

Ben Foster & Sydney Sweeney as Jim & Christy

Sydney Sweeney continues to prove her range with each new project, and Christy might just be her career best. From Euphoria’s emotional volatility to Reality’s restraint and Immaculate’s genre precision, Sweeney has shown remarkable adaptability — but here, she’s something else entirely.

As Christy Martin, Sweeney nails the accent, the stance, the fire — but it’s her emotional endurance that resonates. She embodies a woman caught between fame and fear, victory and vulnerability. It’s a full-bodied performance that elevates the film every time she steps on screen.

A quick shoutout also goes to Chad L. Coleman, who brings a jolt of charisma as promoter Don King. His brief scenes offer a welcome spark of personality and showmanship.

THE FINAL BELL

Christy doesn’t wrap up with the triumphant, crowd-pleasing ending you might expect — and maybe that’s fitting. This is a story about survival, not spectacle. It’s about a woman who fought battles in and out of the ring, often alone, and changed a sport in the process.

While the film lands more jabs than uppercuts, it’s still a story worth telling. It’s a tough, sobering watch at times — but thanks to Sweeney’s fearless commitment and Foster’s unnerving presence, it leaves a mark.

THE VERDICT

It's a solid contender, But not a champion. Christy packs an emotional punch and features Sydney Sweeney at the top of her game. Yet the film’s uneven pacing and muted sense of triumph prevent it from claiming the title. Still, for fans of boxing dramas and true stories of perseverance, it’s well worth stepping into the ring for.

🍿 SCORE = 62 / 100

Christy is playing in limited release, and will be in theaters nationwide on 11/7/25. Read more about the film HERE.