Sydney Sweeney has delivered to life one of the vital standard feminine sports activities figures to life in Christy, and there is a key motive why the movie is vital for immediately. Co-written and directed by The King‘s David Michôd, the biographical drama explores the lifetime of Christy Martin, a girl who rose from an underdog on the planet of boxing to grow to be one of many sport’s greatest names, even within the face of her harrowing private life.
Sweeney leads the solid within the titular function, along with her transformation into the hard-hitting boxer garnering widespread acclaim, alongside Emmy nominee Ben Foster as her coach and abusive husband James V. Martin, Merritt Wever, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry and Chad L. Coleman. Not like Sweeney’s efficiency, the remainder of Christy has garnered divided opinions from critics, at the moment sitting at a 66% approval ranking on Rotten Tomatoes.
In honor of the film’s launch, ScreenRant interviewed Sydney Sweeney, Christy Martin and Katy O’Brian to debate Christy. In why now was the right time to inform this story, Martin started by declaring that there are audiences who’re positive to be going by the identical issues she did in her life, and is due to this fact vital that they see there’s “a path” by these “struggles“:
Christy Martin: [They need to] see that they don’t seem to be alone, they usually can see a path to get out. Sydney did that basically effectively. She grew to become me, and persons are responding to this story.
For Sweeney, who can be a producer on the movie, Christy represents the form of inspirational story that might “create change“ for the individuals who discover themselves in an identical place to the film’s titular sports activities legend. Describing Martin as “really an underdog and such an unbelievable individual“, the two-time Emmy nominee referred to as it “an honor” to have introduced her story to the display screen.
Sweeney Took Her Preparation Intensely Sufficient To The Level Of Getting In The Ring Herself
ScreenRant: Christy, you might be an underdog, however you additionally know the way good you have been within the ring. It was actually cool over the course of this movie to see your trash-talking evolve, as a result of anybody who follows fight sports activities is aware of half the battle is promoting a battle and ensuring individuals need to see that conflict. Are you able to converse to the evolution of your trash-talking over the course of your profession?
Christy Martin: There may be nothing I like higher than to get into that smack speak forwards and backwards. I believe I used it to attempt to get into my opponent’s head, pondering, “I will beat you earlier than you even get within the ring. I am gonna make you so indignant you are going to make errors.” Actually, you realize what? Sydney preferred it. She completely preferred it.
Sydney Sweeney: I actually loved it!
ScreenRant: Sydney, when it got here to really getting within the ring, did you ever take an actual strike by chance? And in that case, how did that impression your notion of Christy’s toughness?
Sydney Sweeney: Each single battle, I advised the ladies to hit me, so all of the fights you see within the film have been truly hitting one another. I liked it.
ScreenRant: I learn that you simply need to step within the ring for actual. Is that this true?
Sydney Sweeney: I imply, possibly you will have to attend and watch Christy Martin Promotions. [Laughs]
ScreenRant: Christy, I additionally learn that you simply did not work together with Ben on set. Is there something you possibly can say to the ability of his efficiency, as a result of I am assuming you have watched the movie in full at this level?
Christy Martin: I do not know if there’s one phrase that may describe the ability of his efficiency. He was Jim Martin. He was Jim Martin a lot that I by chance walked out a door sooner or later, and he was sitting there, and I instantly began cussing him out. I needed to reel myself in and say, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, Christy. That is not Jim Martin.” I do not know if I apologized to him. I in all probability did not, however he was Jim Martin. It is scary, truly, for me. However for the reason that film has wrapped, he is my bud. He is been supporting my Christy Martin Promotions fights, and he is a very good dude.
ScreenRant: Sydney, I noticed that you simply have been filming in New York Metropolis for Satan Wears Prada 2. Is there something you possibly can talk about on that?
Sydney Sweeney: I do not know what you are speaking about.
ScreenRant: I discussed this to you on the Echo Valley carpet, however my favourite venture you have ever achieved is Downfalls Excessive. MGK simply dropped a deluxe model for the five-year anniversary. Scarlett’s in a coma. Who says no?
Sydney Sweeney: I imply, Colson is such a terrific good friend, so I’d at all times like to work with him once more.
Katy O’Brian Got here Into Filming Christy Banged Up From Her Earlier Film
ScreenRant: You are wonderful on this function as Lisa. I used to be so entranced by your efficiency, particularly with the trajectory of her relationship with Christy all through the movie. Did you may have the possibility to talk with the real-life Lisa earlier than manufacturing obtained began?
Katy O’Brian: We obtained to talk for a few hours over the telephone earlier than I went in. I used to be between initiatives; she lives in Texas. It was like a complete factor, so the truth that she was even capable of take a while and speak to me? I used to be so grateful for that. She was very forthcoming. She’s very blunt, very sincere, and a really enjoyable, cool individual to get to know. Immediately, I used to be like, “I am obsessive about this individual. I am so glad I get to play her.” Once we lastly obtained to fulfill on set, I keep in mind I used to be simply ready for Sydney to wrap a scene as a result of we have been going to do a few of our choreo. Within the meantime, Lisa and I went again with the battle coordinator, Wally Walter, and she or he was simply ragging on him, speaking in regards to the simple methods to go in opposition to lefties. I am a lefty, so she was getting his ribs and stuff like that. It was simply actually enjoyable to see the spark in her eyes, the eagerness in her eyes, but additionally simply the distinction within the ability of somebody who’s a world-class boxer. I like seeing individuals of their aspect after they’re excited. It was simply superior.
ScreenRant: You are no stranger to taking up bodily roles, so I am positive this sort of bodily preparation is one thing that is comparatively acquainted to you. However have been there any parts on the boxing facet that took you abruptly?
Katy O’Brian: Properly, this was truly form of a “Ought to I even responsibly take the function?” state of affairs. I, of all issues, had simply blown my again out on a rom-com. Actually, so embarrassing. I felt very fragile. I had two tears in my shoulder, and each time I threw a punch, I felt like my shoulder was going to fall off. That was the largest hurdle I needed to recover from. After which the opposite factor is that I’ve achieved hapkido, I’ve achieved karate and conventional sports activities. I am very stiff. After which I’ve achieved Muay Thai, which is primarily kicking. That is the place I’d middle that type. However boxing is a special stance and a special power and a special form of method and ways, so it was about attempting to change, within the very quick time frame we had, my Muay Thai stance to a western boxing stance.
Christy is now in theaters.
- Launch Date
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November 7, 2025
- Runtime
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135 minutes
- Director
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David Michôd
- Writers
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Mirrah Foulkes, David Michôd
- Producers
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Brent Stiefel, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Sydney Sweeney, Teddy Schwarzman, John Friedberg, Michael Heimler, Justin Lothrop, Brad Zimmerman, David Levine