Cinema Scholars reviews the new boxer biopic Christy out of the 2025 Austin Film Festival. The film is directed by David Michôd and stars Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster. Christy is coming to theaters nationwide on November 7, 2025.
Introduction
There’s a reason scientists stick to a formula. Not because it’s exciting or sexy. Because it’s proven and it works. The same could be said for filmmaking. Even though some critics say they want something groundbreaking or original, box office numbers show time and time again that sticking to a reliable recipe gets butts in theater seats.
Especially when it comes to biopics. The format has become so cliché that beloved parodies like 2007’s Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story have become canon. But there’s no denying that when done right, a formulaic big-screen life story is just the ticket.
Though the new boxing biopic Christy isn’t exactly breaking any molds, the exciting and harrowing true story of a trailblazing female fighter makes you remember why some formulas work so well.
Synopsis
Christy Salters (Sweeney) is a small-town town West Virginia girl in the late 80s. But this girl is tough. So tough, in fact, she enters a local female boxing match for the first time and not only wins, but she catches the attention of a local promoter. She has no other aspirations. Moreover, her mom’s admonition of her not-so-secret relationship with “best friend” Rosie (Jess Gabor) has the family on edge. So naturally, Christy jumps at the chance to start her career and win back her parents’ approval.
With the promise of room, board, and a trainer, Christy finally finds her calling. Her new corner man, Jim Martin (Foster), however, is initially less-than-thrilled with his new charge. Soon, though, her talent and determination win him over. Little do they know, they’ll eventually marry, and Christy’s career will take them to uncharted success in professional female sports. For better and for worse. An unimaginable worse.
Discussion
From the opening fight scene to an obligatory winning streak montage (backed by Young MC’s “Bust A Move”), director David Michôd starts checking the biopic boxes from the get-go. And boy is it fun. Unfortunate 80s/90s hair (including a righteous butch mullet) and painfully nostalgic fashion place an indelible time stamp on the film, evolving as Christy makes her meteoric rise.
The fight scenes are fun and frenetic. Even when Christy takes a beating, her joy and confidence in the ring are contagious. And out of the ring, Christy’s swagger becomes instant legend and Don King’s (Chad L. Coleman) smack-talking, pretty girl boxer dreams. Christy understands the assignment. Sometimes she plays the promotion game too well and to her own detriment.
Like any good biopic, there can’t be the ups without the inevitable downs. As Christy’s career takes off, the cracks in her relationship with trainer/husband/manager Jim begin to grow. She so desperately wants to please her family that she concedes her own truth for her career and acceptance. And Jim exploits that vulnerability until the very end, showing us that even the toughest among us can fall victim to abuse.
Performances
Sydney Sweeney completely transforms into the tough-as-nails fighter. While she dons an ’80s wig and a believable West Virginia accent, the real magic is in Sweeney’s confident posture, no-nonsense demeanor, and that impressive left hook. While her physical performance dazzles, she also sneaks in heartbreaking emotional beats amid all the high-intensity moments. When Christy’s story takes an impossibly dark turn, Sweeney exudes the utter anguish and eventual defiance of a champ who will not accept defeat.
As Jim Martin, Ben Foster disappears into the role of the smarmy manipulator. With a ridiculous combover, a paunchy physique, and an aloof temperament, Foster nails the egocentric trainer to every frame. Though there are beats in the film that demonstrate why Christy might be drawn to such a person, Foster makes sure to remind us why his character is so despicable.
As Christy’s judgmental mom, Joyce Salters, Merritt Wever is the other character you love to hate in Christy. Her soft-voiced criticism of her only daughter in a spot-on southern accent is so convincing, you’d think they plucked her out of a local church group. It’s a real stroke of genius when a performer is more menacing the quieter they get, but Weber’s take on the problematic parent provides a peak level of Mommy issues.
Conclusion
All in all, Christy is a big-screen biography that hits all the right notes. Yes, it’s cliche. And yes, we’ve seen this kind of format before. But following a formula is almost required to tell such an astonishing story. Though the film drags on a bit longer than necessary, it serves to illustrate the misery of a marriage far past its expiration date. Nevertheless, exhilarating fight scenes, gripping performances, and an emotional punch make Christy worth watching.
Christy is coming to theaters nationwide on November 7, 2025.
