Black Bear has released the powerful first trailer for Christy, a new sports biopic starring Sydney Sweeney as the legendary International Boxing Hall of Fame icon, Christy Martin. The film, directed by David Michôd, held its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was met with an enthusiastic reception and major awards buzz.
The new trailer gives audiences their first look at Sweeney’s stunning transformation into the world-class fighter. In preparation for the role, the actress undertook a dramatic physical change, packing on 30 pounds of muscle to authentically embody the boxer’s physique. “We upped my calorie intake and I started taking a lot of protein shakes and supplements and eating everything,” Sweeney explained in a recent interview about her process. “I was constantly burning it all off at the same time. So keeping it all up was quite a challenge.”
The commitment clearly paid off, as critics who saw the film at its festival premiere have heaped praise on her performance. One prominent critic called her portrayal a “true-note, game-changing knockout of a performance.” The review highlighted not just the ferocity she brings to the fight scenes, but also the joyful “ebullience” she displays in victory. “She grins in triumph and pumps her fists in the air like a kid at her own birthday party; the pleasure she takes in winning is part of what makes her a star,” the review added.
The film, which was co-written by Michôd and Mirrah Foulkes, also features a strong supporting cast, including Katy O’Brian, Merritt Wever, and Ben Foster. The trailer showcases the intense, in-the-ring action and the dramatic personal story of Christy Martin’s life.
Christy is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 7.
