Sydney Sweeney leads the portrayal of Christy Martin, a pioneering figure in women’s boxing, in a biopic that brings Martin’s harrowing life story to the big screen. The film chronicles Martin’s rise in a male-dominated sport, her struggles with abuse, and her resilience after surviving a violent attack by her ex-husband, James V. Martin. The project unfolds with deep respect for the truth, adhering closely to Martin’s real experiences as told through her collaboration with director David Michôd and co-writer Mirrah Foulkes.
Christy Martin’s Promise and Survivor Journey
In 2010, after enduring several stabbings and a gunshot wound inflicted by her ex-husband, Christy Martin made a solemn vow following a near-death experience. Known as the Coal Miner’s Daughter in the boxing world, she promised to help someone every day before she died. Reflecting on that promise, Martin says,
“And then I was like, ‘No,’ ’cause I’m arrogant, ‘I wanna help one person every day,’”
underscoring her determination to make a difference beyond her boxing career.
Martin shared this story not only on stage during the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September but also in a detailed interview alongside Sydney Sweeney in November. Through their conversation, it became clear that Martin’s promise has been more than fulfilled, with wide-reaching impacts that have already begun to save lives.
Faithful to Fact: No Hollywood Embellishment
Martin’s main condition to Michôd and Foulkes was clear:
“Please do not Hollywoodize my life,”
she insisted, hoping the film would avoid the sensationalized additions often seen in biopics. The creative team heeded this request rigorously.
Sweeney, who also served as a producer on the film, affirmed the commitment to authenticity, stating,
“Everything was pulled from truth. The film is truthful from the very beginning to the end.”
Martin elaborated on this approach:
[Foulkes] would tell me, ‘Enough crazy s— has happened in your life, we don’t have to Hollywoodize it,’”
she said, praising the script’s realism and the filmmakers’ respectful handling of her story.
The Narrative’s Emotional Depth and Grounding
Directed by David Michôd, known for The King starring Timothée Chalamet, and co-written with Mirrah Foulkes, the film blends an underdog sports tale with a raw survivor’s account. It starts with Martin’s youth as a closeted lesbian in a homophobic community in West Virginia and follows her rise to prominence in the boxing world.
The plot also explores her strained relationship with her mother, Joyce, portrayed by Merritt Wever, and her tumultuous life with Jim Martin, played by Ben Foster, who transitions from trainer to abusive husband. The story climaxes with Martin’s fight to return to the ring after surviving the near-fatal attack by Jim, who died in 2024 while serving a lengthy prison sentence for attempted murder.
The Collaborative Effort Between Martin and Sweeney
The connection between Martin and Sweeney began with a virtual meeting during pre-production, a moment Martin described as positive despite the challenges of gauging someone’s energy over Zoom. Their relationship deepened as Sweeney undertook rigorous physical training to authentically embody Martin in the ring.
Reflecting on Sweeney’s dedication, Martin said,
“She wants to do this because she feels like it’s important,”
and expressed her complete openness about sharing difficult aspects of her life:
“I was 100 percent in, and I was open to share my story, the little details that sometimes aren’t easy to talk about.”
Portraying the Most Difficult Moments First
The production team opted to film the film’s most intense sequences during the first week to capture the emotional gravity authentically. These included scenes of domestic violence set in Martin’s home, showcasing the complexity of her relationship with Jim.
Sweeney remarked on this intense start:
“We started off right out the gate with the very heavy and crucial moments of Christy’s life,”
acknowledging the emotional weight they carried throughout filming.
A Pivotal Scene with Joyce, Martin’s Mother
Merritt Wever’s debut as Joyce depicted a heart-wrenching scene where Martin confesses her fear of Jim, only to be rejected in favor of him. Martin shared the personal impact of seeing this moment portrayed on screen:
“My mother passed in February. It’s all real, but it’s still hard to see,”
she reflected.
The last thing you want to do is go to your mother for help and not get it. That scene may be harder than the attack for me to actually watch.”
Handling the Attack with Sensitivity
The filming of Jim’s violent assault was conducted without Martin present, a deliberate choice requested by everyone involved to protect her emotionally. Sweeney commented on the care taken during these difficult scenes:
“It was a very heavy week, but having a scene partner like Ben and a director like David, you know that you’re in good hands ’cause you feel safe with everyone, you trust everyone, and you know that everybody also is handling this with the utmost respect and care. You talk about it, you just go hand in hand, and you dive right in.”
The Film’s Impact and Outreach
Since the film’s release, Martin has been overwhelmed by the response to her story. She promotes the movie alongside her wife, Lisa Holewyne, a former professional boxer herself, who inspired a character portrayed by Katy O’Brian. The two bonded as opponents in the ring, eventually building a lifelong friendship and romantic relationship.
Martin has witnessed individuals reaching out to share their personal stories, noting a positive and supportive community response. She said,
“Women are coming to share their story about domestic violence. There’s people coming to me about sexuality,”
adding,
“They’re really reacting in a positive way.”
A Shared Sense of Purpose for Sweeney and Martin
For Sydney Sweeney, participating in this project has been transformative. She expressed,
“It’s honestly a life-changing experience in a way, of knowing that I can be a part of Christy’s story that can help others.”
Martin emphasized the importance of the film beyond entertainment, remarking, This movie’s bigger than Hollywood. The biopic, titled Christy, opens in theaters this weekend and aims to inspire audiences through its truthful portrayal of strength, survival, and empowerment.
