“Watching Christy made me realize that sometimes the toughest fights are the ones happening outside the ring.
Yes, I know Christy bombed at the box office and has been getting a lot of negative reviews, and while I do understand the critiscms, I actually thought it was watchable enough…
Plot Summary of Christy (Spoiler-Free)
Christy tells the story of Christy Martin, one of the first women to break through the male-dominated world of professional boxing in the 1990s.
The film starts with Christy as a teenager in West Virginia, entering a local Toughwoman boxing contest on a whim, hoping to win a small cash prize, and after she wins, the victory sets off a chain of events that takes her from small-town obscurity to national fame.
Her talent in the ring earns the attention of promoter Larry Carrier, who sets her up with trainer Jim Martin, but despite Jim’s initial doubts about female fighters, Christy proves herself and begins her professional career, and along the way, she navigates the challenges of fame, the brutal realities of competitive sports, and the complex, often toxic relationships in her personal life.
Christy Review: Is It Worth Watching?
I had heard mainly negative reactions to this film before watching it, about various things to do with the film, and maybe it was because I went in with low expectations, but I liked it enough, I have to say.
Sydney Sweeney is fearless here, where she’s sweaty, bruised, sometimes awkward, and completely convincing as a teenager stepping into her first boxing ring, where the punches that land hardest are the ones she never throws.
Ben Foster’s performance as Jim Martin I also really liked, and he is infuriating, controlling, and manipulative as we watch him act like he owns her life and career. and you genuinely get quite annoyed by him where you feel the weight of every cruel comment, and every restriction he puts on her, but it also never feels overdone.
And yet, despite the darkness, the film isn’t hopeless, as there’s triumph here too, in the way Christy fights, in the moments she connects with others, and in the sheer stubbornness that keeps her standing.
Director David Michôd does a good job here too, never letting the focus sway, while capturing the tension, the pain, and the moments of quiet defiance, as the story isn’t about spectacle – it’s about the struggle, both physical and emotional.
One of my favorite things about watching Christy was that it doesn’t shy away from complexity, as Christy is a survivor, but she’s also far from perfect – She makes mistakes, she stays with a toxic partner longer than she should, and she struggles with trust and self-worth.
The supporting cast deserve a mention too, in particular Merritt Wever as Christy’s mother, who adds more emotional tension, showing how judgment and love can coexist in a complicated, sometimes toxic mix.
Ben Foster, as I mentioned, is quietly terrifying, and the smaller roles, like Jess Gabor as Rosie and Chad L. Coleman as Don King, help flesh everything out without ever stealing the spotlight.
If I had one major criticism, it’s that some aspects of Christy’s personal life – particularly her early relationship struggles and why she tolerates certain abuses aren’t as fully explored as they could have been, as I wanted a bit more insight into her internal reasoning, beyond just “she had no way out.”
In terms of visuals, the film is pretty straightforward, letting the story breathe rather than leaning on flashy cinematography, where the boxing scenes are tight and intense, and the quieter domestic moments are intimate and sometimes uncomfortable.
I ended up really feeling for Christy as a person, not just a fighter – her humanity, her courage, and her survival – and that’s exactly what I want from a movie that’s telling a story about someone’s life.
I thought Christy was better than some of the reviews I had read, and found it quite emotional and human, and despite so many people seemingly bashing her these days, I also thought Sweeney was really good.
It has some issues, but I am glad I ended up watching it.
What I liked (And What I Didn’t like)
Pros
Sydney Sweeney
She completely disappears into the role, both physically and emotionally, and makes you care about Christy.
Emotion
Yes, I felt the emotion quite hard in the film.
Supporting Cast
They generally all add something worthwhile.
The Focus
Michôd keeps Christy at the center, and really lets us connect with her struggles, triumphs, and failures.
Portrayal of Abuse
The film doesn’t sugarcoat Jim’s behavior or the impact it has on Christy.
Cons
Lack of Insight into Christy
Sometimes it’s unclear why she makes certain choices, and I would have liked to have seen this explored a bit more, and some parts needed more depth.
Can Feel Emotionally Heavy
It’s intense and uncomfortable, which may turn some people off.
A Bit Messy
The tone and focus balancing act sometimes feels a bit messy.
Pacing
Could have easily have been cut a bit.
Clichéd
A lot of the film does full into the cliche terrority, and relies on some very familiar tropes.
Who Might Like Christy
- Sydney Sweeney fans
- Anyone interested in stories about survival and resilience
- Those who enjoy character driven drama
- People who like messy, human stories
- Fans of stories about recovery, and empowerment
Who Might Dislike Christy
- Anyone who dislikes uncomfortable emotional content
- Those expecting action-heavy boxing sequences
- People sensitive to depictions of abuse
- Anyone not interested in biographical stories
- Viewers who are familiar with the original story and want it potrayed with more depth
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Christy?
Despite some obvious flaws, I liked it enough to not regrat watching it – it’s uncomfortable, and heartbreaking, and Sydney Sweeney and Ben Foster are both pretty good for different reasons.
Christy Trailer
Simon Leasher
A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More
And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.
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