Growing up, boxing was a major sport we watched in my household. Watching fights with Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Julio Cesar Chavez was a great way to spend time with my dad and a great way to learn about this sport. Due to watching a lot of boxing, I was familiar with the name Christy Martin. I remember watching her fight in one of the pre-matches before a Mike Tyson fight and just being floored by how intense the boxing match was.
Christy tells us the real-life story of Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney), the first female boxer to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. We are shown how she began boxing in matches at local fairs for money. She soon caught the eyes of promoters who started booking her for her raw talent. Christy, as she won more fights, was introduced to Jim Martin (Ben Foster). Jim was a local boxing coach who helped Christy hone her skills and become an unstoppable force in the boxing ring.
The story of Christy Martin feels like a simple “rise to stardom” movie, but there is much more to her story. Christy’s mom, Joyce Salters (Merritt Wever), is very religious and does not approve of Christy’s friendship with Rosie (Jess Gabor). She sees it as embarrassing to the family and wants Christy to stop hanging out with her. We soon see how blind Christy’s mother is to what is going on in her world, and it gets much darker as the story progresses.
In an attempt to appease her mother, Christy ends up marrying Jim Martin. The relationship between the two is troubling because he is not only her trainer but also her husband. Jim’s aspirations grow bigger than what Christy is capable of, and he puts her in situations that are dangerous on and off the boxing ring. This spirals into a call for help that is ignored by her parents and leads to a scary and painful third act.
Christy Martin’s story is one of survival and determination. If you are not familiar with her story, I will not share what happens to her here. Just like The Iron Claw, Christy is a film that takes you to a dark corner of the protagonist’s life and presents to you how they overcame it. With what happens to her, it is a miracle that she is around to tell her story and share it with the world. I highly recommend seeing the Netflix Docu-series Untold: Deal with the Devil after watching this movie.
Final Thoughts: Christy is another biopic that tells a story of triumph over harsh obstacles. Sydney Sweeney transforms into Christy Martin and gives a performance that deserves to be seen. Although her rise to fame is truncated for the movie’s runtime, Christy Martin’s story of acceptance, determination, and survival should be applauded by all. Christy is a movie that will stay with you long after it is over.
Violence: There are plenty of boxing scenes in the movie, but it also takes a dark turn in the third act. Jim’s abuse of Christy is harrowing and may trigger some members of the audience.
Kid-Friendly: While the story of perseverance and acceptance is great for kids, this may not be the best film for them to learn about it. Kids above the age of 16 should be okay to see this movie, but this is up to the parents’ discretion.
Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia—until she discovered a knack for punching people. Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster).
But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it—confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martin’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim one’s life.