Sydney Sweeney steps into her most physically demanding role yet in the biographical sports drama, Christy, set for release on November 7. This highly anticipated film brings the remarkable story of a true trailblazer to the screen, exploring her journey from humble roots to achieving global fame in a challenging, male-dominated profession. The narrative promises an intimate and powerful portrayal of resilience, focusing on the hidden battles and ultimate courage required to reclaim one’s life.

Discover the real-life boxing legend and the complex figures who populate her inspiring story.

The film Christy is a biographical sports drama based on the remarkable true events of Christy Martin’s life, which is set for release in theaters on November 7. The story follows Christy Martin, a fighter who discovered a natural talent for boxing far beyond her humble small-town roots in West Virginia. Under the guidance of her trainer and husband, Jim Martin, she charged into the professional boxing world, earning the nickname The Coal Miner's Daughter and achieving monumental success.

However, her greatest challenges were not faced in the ring; the film intimately explores her battles at home, where she struggled to escape an abusive marriage and reclaim her own identity. This deeply moving narrative premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Sydney Sweeney's portrayal received an emotional standing ovation, underscoring the film’s powerful and resonant themes of courage and self-liberation.

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The actress took on a demanding physical challenge to honor the legacy of the boxer she portrays.

Sydney Sweeney stars as the titular character, Christy Martin, a boxer recognized as one of the greatest female fighters in history. Martin’s professional career spanned from 1989 to 2012, a period during which she became the first female boxer inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, followed by the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020. Sweeney expressed her immense honor in sharing Martin’s powerful story, particularly detailing her rigorous physical preparation for the role.

The actress committed to a three-month training regimen that involved gaining over thirty pounds of muscle. She described her daily routine, which included morning weight training, midday kickboxing for approximately two hours, and another weight-training session in the evening. This dedication resulted in a complete physical transformation, leaving her feeling incredibly strong and wholly prepared to embody the iconic fighter.

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Opposite Sweeney is a veteran actor portraying the complex and abusive figure from Martin’s life.

Ben Foster plays James V. Martin, Christy Martin's former husband, manager, and ultimately, her attacker. Foster spoke deeply about approaching this difficult role and the profound issue of domestic violence. His dedication, along with the filmmakers, focused on honoring the silent struggles of those who face abuse at home, making it a priority to treat the subject matter with the utmost seriousness.

The real James V. Martin was married to Christy from 1991 to 2010. Christy later revealed that he was emotionally, financially, and physically abusive throughout their relationship. Following her request for a divorce, he stabbed her multiple times and shot her, an attempted murder from which she miraculously survived. He was convicted and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison before his death in November 2024.

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The narrative also explores the intricate family dynamics that shaped Christy’s journey.

Merritt Wever takes on the role of Joyce Salters, Christy Martin's conservative, stay-at-home mother from West Virginia. Wever, who has received acclaim for her work in television, portrays a mother who is naturally concerned about her daughter’s dangerous career path and her identity, particularly the possibility of her being a lesbian.

 As the abuse in Christy's marriage escalated, Joyce initially found it difficult to accept that the man she had a close relationship with was a perpetrator of domestic violence. However, after the brutal attack on her daughter, Joyce stood firmly by Christy’s side, offering unwavering support.

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The strong foundation of Christy’s upbringing is represented by her father, a constant source of support.

Ethan Embry portrays John Salters, Christy Martin’s father, a hardworking man who was employed as a welder at a coal mine in West Virginia. Christy and her father shared a deep and enduring relationship, remaining close throughout her career and beyond. The boxer often credited her father for instilling in her the belief that she was capable of achieving anything she set her mind to, a foundational principle that fueled her aggressive drive inside the boxing ring.

Following her divorce, Christy Martin found love and a new chapter with a former competitor.

Katy O’Brien plays Lisa Holewyne, a fellow boxer who first encountered Christy Martin in a competitive match in 2001, later becoming her wife. She wrote on social media about feeling terrified yet honored to ensure she depicted their connection as authentically and respectfully as possible. The two women married in November 2017, celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary in 2024. Holewyne’s love for Christy is described as clear and palpable, symbolizing a significant step in Martin's journey toward healing and self-acceptance after years of abuse.

The film also honors the close family relationships that defined Christy Martin’s origins.

Coleman Pedigo makes his cinematic debut as Randy Salters, Christy Martin's beloved brother. Randy shared a tight bond with his sister and followed in the footsteps of his father, working in the mines. His presence in the film helps ground Christy's story in her West Virginia roots, emphasizing the family ties she carried with her throughout her career. Sadly, Randy passed away in November 2020.

The character Rosie is included to illustrate an important connection from the boxer’s past.

Jess Gabor plays Rosie, a character fictionalized for the film but based on the real-life figure, Sherry Lusk. Martin and Lusk first met in eighth grade, playing basketball together before a romantic relationship developed during high school. Due to her parents’ disapproval, Christy ended the relationship and later married James Martin. 

Finally, the film features the larger-than-life boxing promoter who propelled Christy to fame.

Chad L. Coleman, known for his distinguished roles in acclaimed television shows like The Wire, portrays the famous and controversial boxing promoter, Don King. King was instrumental in Christy Martin’s career, not only promoting her fights but also working with many other legendary boxers, including Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali. Martin holds immense gratitude for King, whom she credited with giving her an opportunity no other promoter would. She personally inducted him into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in April 2025, acknowledging that his support was fundamental to her achieving Hall of Fame status herself.

This powerful biopic is a compelling exploration of one woman’s battle for triumph, both inside and outside the ropes.

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Are you waiting to see the cast of Christy breathe life to script and bring the real life characters on screen? Let us know in the comments below.