Sydney Sweeney is taking the disappointing box office performance of her latest film, Christy, in stride. This R-rated biographical drama, where she portrays the trailblazing boxer Christy Martin, opened to a mere $1.3 million this past weekend. This figure marks one of the worst starts ever for a film that debuted in over 2,000 theaters in the United States. Despite this setback, Sweeney expressed her dedication to the project on Instagram, stating, “We don’t always just make art for numbers; we make it for impact.” She emphasized that Christy has been the most significant project of her career.
Directed by David Michôd, Christy features a talented cast that includes Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, and Katy O’Brian. The film chronicles Martin’s rise to fame during the 1990s, showcasing her journey from being the daughter of a West Virginia coal miner to becoming one of the most prominent female boxers in the United States. It also addresses the serious issue of domestic violence, highlighting the physical abuse she endured from her coach-turned-husband, culminating in a life-threatening situation.
The film has received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised Sweeney’s performance—where she portrays Martin over a span of 20 years—as worthy of award consideration, others were less complimentary. Benjamin Lee, a critic for the Guardian, described the film as “just isn’t nearly good enough, a by-the-numbers slog that fails to prove Sweeney’s status as one to watch.” Despite the critiques, Sweeney has consistently highlighted the film’s important message about domestic violence in her promotional efforts.
In her Instagram post, Sweeney articulated the film's mission: “This film stands for survival, courage, and hope,” she wrote. “Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.” She concluded by thanking her supporters and asserting that if Christy inspires even one woman to seek safety, the film will have succeeded in its purpose.
Christy is the first theatrical release from Black Bear, an independent production company that not only produced the film for $15 million but also sold its international distribution rights. This release comes amid a challenging year for Sweeney, a breakout star known for her roles in HBO dramas Euphoria and The White Lotus. Previous films, such as the survival thriller Eden, co-starring Ana de Armas and Vanessa Kirby, as well as the drama Americana, featuring Paul Walter Hauser, have also struggled at the box office.
The struggles of Christy reflect a broader trend in which adult-oriented dramas are having difficulty resonating with theatrical audiences. Similar films like the psychodrama Die, My Love, starring Robert Pattinson and Jennifer Lawrence, the Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, and another boxing drama, The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne Johnson, have garnered praise at film festivals but failed to attract significant box office success.
Despite the recent challenges, Sweeney continues to shine in the industry. She recently led the romantic comedy Anyone But You, which grossed an impressive $220 million worldwide. Looking ahead, she will co-star with Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar in The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig. This psychological thriller, based on the 2022 novel by Freida McFadden, is set to premiere in the United States on December 19.
