Sydney Sweeney Says Her Most Powerful Role Yet 'Will Save Lives'

Sydney Sweeney is stepping into the ring, and into one of her most transformative roles yet. The "Euphoria" and "Anyone But You" actress stars as legendary boxer Christy Martin in the upcoming biopic "Christy," hitting theaters on November 7. The film, inspired by the true story of the woman who broke barriers in the male-dominated world of boxing, explores Martin's meteoric rise, her hidden battles with identity and abuse, and her fight for survival after being nearly killed by her husband and former manager, James Martin. Helmed as both a sports drama and a survivor's story, Christy follows Martin's journey from small-town West Virginia to global fame as the face of women's boxing in the 1990s, a time when she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, fought on pay-per-view undercards promoted by Don King, and became the first woman inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Sydney Sweeney's portrayal has already generated early awards buzz, with critics praising her physical transformation and emotional range in the role.

In an interview with AARP's Movies for Grownups, Sweeney said she felt an instant connection to Martin's story and saw the film as both a creative challenge and a personal mission. "I wanted to take Christy on because she challenged me in new ways that I've never been challenged before," Sweeney explained. "Her story inspired me. I couldn't believe that I didn't know who this amazing woman was, and I wanted her to be seen by the world."

The actress added that she believes Martin's story could have a real-world impact, saying, "I think that her story will save lives, and I needed to help facilitate that."

The real Christy Martin admitted that reliving her past, particularly her violent marriage, during filming was excruciating. She revealed that she refused to interact with Ben Foster, who plays her abusive husband, during production. "I did not talk to Ben Foster," she told Movies for Grownups. "I could not be in the room when he was doing the lines. I just couldn't. And I stayed away from him the entire film. I think he probably was glad, but it affected me…"

Despite the emotional toll, Martin praised Sweeney's performance and authenticity, saying the actress brought a new level of visibility to her story. "It's so much unlike what people expect from her," Martin said. "She wanted to show that she has a broad range. I think it's a challenge for her, and I think she cares about helping people, and this movie is going to help people in many different ways, in many different groups of people."

While Christy doesn't shy away from the brutality Martin endured, both inside and outside the ring, its heart lies in resilience. "I wanted it to be an underdog story," Martin shared. "Reaching domestic violence survivors, reaching parents that their children are coming to them saying they're gay or not exactly fitting into what the family thinks they should be."

The movie also chronicles Martin's struggle to come out as gay in a conservative family and the personal freedom she fought for after leaving the ring.

In the 1990s, Christy Martin became a household name, bringing women's boxing into the mainstream. Under the guidance of Don King, she fought on major pay-per-view cards alongside legends like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, won a welterweight title, and inspired a new generation of female athletes to enter the sport.

Martin's story is one of both triumph and trauma, and Christy aims to shine a light on the fighter behind the gloves, a woman who defied expectations, broke barriers, and survived the unthinkable.

For Sweeney, "Christy" marks a dramatic turning point in her career, a sharp departure from the glossy roles that made her a household name. The actress trained for months to embody Martin's physicality, working with professional boxing coaches to capture every punch and movement with realism. And while the film delivers on adrenaline and action, it's the emotional weight behind Sweeney's performance that has audiences talking.

"Christy" lands in theaters on November 7, bringing to life one of the most powerful stories in sports and one of the most fearless performances of Sydney Sweeney's career.