A lot of our greatest heroes in sports have had to overcome obstacles to thrive. Sometimes it’s an abusive or neglectful family. Sometimes it’s an abusive or controlling partner. In the new biopic Christy—which tells the story of boxer Christy Martin—it was both.

The film picks up in the early 1990s as Christy (Sydney Sweeney) is struggling to find her place. She’s a gifted athlete, but she doesn’t fit the mold her mother (Merritt Wever) had in mind for a daughter. That puts her at odds with a family that’s anything but supportive. Still, she finds a place in the boxing ring where her skill draws the eye of training Jim Martin (Ben Foster).

Under the guise of making her a boxing star, Jim begins to control Christy’s life. Even when she tries to break away, he finds a way to pressure her into continuing to fight—and earn—for him. He even pressures her into a marriage as he seeks to manage, direct, control, and manipulate her career.

The fact Christy doesn’t love him and is more attracted to women seems beside the point. When Christy, after years of abuse, reaches a breaking point, Jim takes things even further. Can she fight to survive and create the life she really wants?

This biopic is based on the true story. Those familiar with Christy and her career will know where this is going. It isn’t about the destination so much as the journey. It’s about telling her story.

Director David Michod does a nice job of capturing the period and some of the action in the ring. The film is probably at its most lively during the fight sequences that showcase Christy’s aggressive and brash style. Some of those sequences are fun and will likely be appealing to fans of a good sports film.

But mostly, this is a look at Christy’s broken and abusive relationship with Jim. While Foster does a nice job embodying the role, it’s not a nice character. And it’s not a pleasant story to watch unfold. That’s especially true of the latter section, where we leave the ring behind.

Sweeney does a nice job in the lead role. It’s been a strong 2025 that has showcased her range in some different and difficult parts. I thought she was one of the best parts of Eden, released this summer, and she’s probably the best part of this film, too. She pours herself into the role and thrives as a survivor fighting for what she wants at every turn despite pressure and manipulation from those closest to her.

The third act, which chronicles the real-life events that proved a turning point for Christy Martin, are dower and difficult to watch. The resolution is somewhat satisfying, but the film mostly drops the happier notes of Christy’s story into the credits. That’s a bad beat after spending more than two hours immersed in this world.

The film feels too long, especially with the somewhat abrupt ending to the story. It feels true to the events but could have been crafted in a more engaging way. It’s a good performance with some good moments, but just OK as a finished product.

Christy opens in theaters on Friday, November 7.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.