Biopics have become an extremely popular film genre in recent years. With films like Elvis and A Complete Unknown performing well at the box office and earning multiple Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, it seems most people are still eager to see beloved icons depicted on the big screen. Christy is among the biggest biopic releases of 2025, delving into the life of boxer Christy Martin, who pushed the needle for women’s boxing and helped make it as popular as it is today.

The film tells a fairly stereotypical story of Christy’s rise to fame, but it also offers a more focused narrative than most sports biopics, delving into Christy’s home life and relationship with her husband and coach, Jim Martin. What begins as a rags-to-riches story turns into something far more sinister in the later parts of the film, creating the most tense-inducing sequences ever executed in a biopic.

Sydney Sweeney is excellent as Christy, portraying a fighter driven for wealth and respect in a threatening yet empathetic manner. Witnessing her abuse, whether that is from her mother or her husband, is excruciating, which is mostly contributed to by her emotionally charged performance. What Sweeney brings physically is equally impressive, with her 30-pound weight gain working wonders for the character, making for a far more intimidating presence. Sweeney’s past roles have mainly featured her as an attractive love interest, but her role in Christy shows she has the versatility and talent of a high-caliber actor.

Jim Martin may be the least empathetic character in any movie released this year, but Ben Foster’s performance stands just as tall as Sweeney’s. Foster is terrifying as Christy’s coach-turned-husband, delivering a quietly evil portrayal of a man who pursues power by exploiting and manipulating anyone who gets in his way. Whether it’s creating disturbing videotapes for his own pleasure or physically assaulting Christy during her training, Jim is a monster in every sense of the word, and Foster portrays it in such an authentic and nuanced manner.

The film’s focus on domestic violence makes for a far more engaging experience compared to most biopics. Most sports biopics tend to deliver a Wikipedia-style summary of how an athlete rose to greatness, without delving into the athlete’s psyche. Christy sets itself apart while centering the film on her relationship with her husband. Domestic violence has been discussed in prior sports films like 2024’s Unstoppable, but not done with this level of skill. The film completely shifts genres when it moves away from boxing, with a sequence at Christy’s house toward the end of the movie standing as one of the year’s most terrifying. Director David Michôd’s decision to shoot the domestic violence sequences in long takes creates an uneasy experience that puts the audience directly in the characters’ situation. Witnessing Christy’s boxing matches has its moments of tension, but it is nowhere near as impactful as the domestic violence she experiences.

Christy not only focuses on her resilience in becoming the world’s biggest female boxer, but also on her resilience against her oppressors. Not wanting to be defined by those who abused her, the movie discusses that overcoming one’s trauma is to discover oneself. The film’s purpose is not just to tell the story of Christy Martin, but also to inspire those who may be going through similar experiences. Ending the film on this note made for a satisfying conclusion, despite its dark material.

Although the film drives home its signature stamp on the sports biopic through its stance on domestic violence, it also plays into stereotypical sports biopic tropes. The entire first half is Christy pushing herself to new heights as a boxer, and while it offers solid entertainment value, it lacks the film’s later moments’ gravitas. The boxing sequences are shot steadily but lack a distinctive flavor that would set them apart from other boxing films. Sweeney is extremely convincing in her boxing matches, making each fight engaging to watch, but the filmmaking doesn’t even come close to matching her performance.

With incredible performances from Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster and a deep dive into the themes of domestic violence, Christy stands as an above-average sports biopic with an engaging, inspirational story. It may take a while to get to the juice of the screenplay, but it’s well worth it.

Christy screened as a Special Presentation at the 2024 Heartland International Film Festival. Black Bear will release the film on November 7.

Rating: 7/10

Oscar Prospects:

Best Actress