Sydney Sweeney’s Christy a boxing ‘horror story’ that takes viewer to ‘darkish locations’
Christy starring Sydney Sweeney tells the tale of a champion boxer who faced greater dangers in her own home than she ever did fighting in the ring, as her evil husband tried to murder her
The remarkable real-life story of Christy Martin translates to a harrowing yet compelling display on the big screen.
Those familiar with her life outside the ring will know that Martin, though a vastly accomplished fighter, was always faced with her greatest battle behind closed doors. It was there, in her own home, where she was at her most vulnerable, away from the outside world and even further removed from any place of refuge.
This is a woman who had gone toe-to-toe with Laila Ali, putting herself at a terrific size disadvantage – even stuffing her pockets with stones at their weigh-in – and enduring four rounds of unrelenting punishment. Still, she showcased her tremendous resolve, often firing back with little regard for the incessant attacks that were dished out in response. But that plucky performance offers far from the definitive measure of Martin’s character.
More extraordinary still was her triumph in the face of real-life danger – the truly hellish environment orchestrated by her then-husband and trainer, Jim Martin.
This is what underpinned director David Michôd’s vision to create an unlikely blend of athletic prowess and genuine horror, the two core themes of biopic Christy, which tells an uncomfortable yet inspiring tale of sporting success and domestic violence.
While documenting the boxing career of Martin, this particular movie also seeks to explore her darkest moments in striking detail.
The film, first and foremost, provides an obvious protagonist; someone whose relatability and magnetic personality presents them as an easy character to root for.
Then, we are introduced to Jim Martin, a monster who, despite recognising his own insecurities, was hell-bent on reducing his wife to the same existence of fear and pain.
At this point, it becomes apparent that this is more than a boxing film, but rather a string of suspenseful and largely sobering scenes that lead us closer towards a catastrophic climax.
“You can see the damage in the person that might make them exhibit monstrous qualities,” director Michôd tells Boxing News, referring to Jim Martin.
“Horror movies were always profound cinema experiences for me as a kid. And since then, I’ve taken that same feeling into my movies.
“It’s like I’m searching for horror in the real world – where does it come from? – and I’m trying to recreate those experiences which, for me, when I was younger, were so powerful.”
The on-screen portrayal of Jim Martin is expertly carried out by supporting actor Ben Foster, whose dynamic performance enhances the film’s chilling atmosphere.
When considering the components of a convincing psychopath – whether it is Jack Nicholson in The Shining, Anthony Hopkins in Silence Of The Lambs or Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight – there is often a dash of madness; a sense that this person is either innately unhinged or perhaps feels as though they have been dealt an injustice by the world.
Whatever the case, their villainous qualities are right there in front of you, always commanding the audience’s attention, whereas with Foster in Christy, everything is a little more subtle.
Sure, you understand from an early stage that this is a manipulative and largely unpalatable individual.
At the same time, though, it does not become entirely clear until later on in the film that Martin is capable of committing some of the most despicable crimes imaginable.
The steps he takes towards achieving full control over his wife are mostly incremental, with Jim, at first, beginning to secretly take money from Christy’s purses, before tricking her into thinking that her next fight, and therefore another payday, is always just around the corner.
All the while, there are constant threats that, should she ever leave him, he would be compelled to take her life. And, oddly enough, this was perhaps the only promise that Jim came even remotely close to delivering on.
After subjecting Christy to a life of physical and psychological abuse, drug addiction, and even coercing her into participating in a form of prostitution, Jim eventually went one step further, stabbing his wife multiple times before firing a bullet into her abdomen.
This article was originally published in BOXING NEWS, the world’s oldest boxing magazine and the longest-running sports weekly. Published every Thursday, it offers unrivalled coverage of the sweet science. Buy it now here.
By some miracle, Christy survived, and Jim spent the rest of his life inside Graceville Correctional Facility, Florida, until his death in November 2024, having served 12 years of a 25-year sentence.
“It’s about understanding that [domestic violence] happens all over the world, and most of these stories go untold,” says Foster, explaining how he approached the role of Jim Martin.
“To get yourself into a place of committing such vicious or demeaning violence against someone else, I’d say that must come from a very weak, frightened and fragile person.
“So, for me, it was about trying to understand the values of a man who presents himself as the king of his own world, but is actually terrified of losing her [Christy].
“Then you have to look at the steps of control. There’s a co-dependency that often comes when someone starts changing their [partner’s] life, [and controlling] their finances.
“These steps are awfully common, and they are awful, but seem to be intuitive to some people.”
Given Foster’s versatility in the acting world, it was no great surprise he was cast for this role.
Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney, on the other hand, arrived as a somewhat leftfield choice for the leading role of Christy Martin.
She is, after all, known more for her jaw-dropping looks – and, at times, controversial political views – rather than being renowned as a highly skilled actor or, in this case, an even remotely competent boxer.
And yet, believe it or not, director Michôd selected Sweeney partly because of her background in mixed martial arts.
With her combat sports experience, he figured, the 28-year-old would not only be able to offer an accurate display in the ring, but also cope with the physical demands of her training.
“For the three months leading up to filming, I would train every day – an hour of weight training in the morning, about two to three hours of boxing in the middle of the day, and then another hour of weight training at night,” Sweeney says.
“During that boxing time, I would do sparring, work on my combinations and work on my technique. It was all rigorous work, for sure.”
It is all well and good being able to fight, or at least make boxing scenes appear convincing, but in playing a multi-faceted character like Christy Martin – someone who is immensely strong, but who also went through spells of intense vulnerability – there is a certain balance to be discovered.
“It was about navigating who she was at different moments,” Sweeney continues. “It’s not that it was difficult, just that it was more of a discovery.
“I don’t plan anything, and I don’t rehearse it, so it was more just allowing myself to become Christy.
“Christy and I have a really beautiful relationship in how we communicate, and she was very open and honest with me about a lot of moments in her life.
“We were in constant communication throughout the entire filming process.
“So, having her in my corner was a tremendous asset, and also just a great friend that I gained along the way.”
Regarding her performance, there seemed to be that there was very little Sweeney got wrong – she gave a ‘good account of herself’, as some might say.
But largely negative press has been directed at the A-lister, plus Christy flopped at the box office, grossing just $1.3 million in its opening weekend in the US.
Much of this, however, might be explained by Sweeney’s controversial advert with American Eagle, which claimed the actor had “great jeans”, a bit of wordplay that was interpreted by some as making reference to eugenics, with many believing that she was unapologetically flaunting her blonde hair and blue eyes.
But it seems unfair to base an opinion of Christy entirely on the controversy surrounding its lead actor.
If anything, Sweeney, though occupying the titular role, is not even the star of this film. It is, rather, Foster’s powerful portrayal of Jim Martin that should encourage a cinema ticket purchase.
But, again, be sure to keep in mind: this is not strictly a boxing film, nor an informative dive into the fighting life of ‘The Coal Miner’s Daughter’, an unassuming but decorated former world champion from West Virginia.
It is, as previously mentioned, a horror story, offering a stark representation of what many victims of domestic violence are forced to endure on a daily basis.
“It’s harrowing to think about and, further than that, to think how many people suffer in silence in their own homes,” Foster says.
“But while working with [Sweeney], who I trust implicitly – and she trusted me – we were able to go to some dark places.
“Hopefully, when they see the film, it’ll make [victims of domestic violence] feel less alone.
“For me, [Christy is] about recognising that there is a power in all of us, which can help us get through the most difficult times.
“I believe this film is ultimately a hopeful one.
“We must protect that strength that we all share, and I don’t know if that’s a learning experience or a reminder but, right now, we need more of that.”
This article was originally published in BOXING NEWS, the world’s oldest boxing magazine and the longest-running sports weekly. Published every Thursday, it offers unrivalled coverage of the sweet science. Buy it now here.
