Christy (2025)

Gleiberman finds the biopic powerfully compelling, moving, and rousing despite its deeply downbeat portrait of abuse. He especially praises Sydney Sweeney’s transformative performance and the film’s honest portrayal of Christy Martin’s life.

The critic finds the biopic grim but ultimately crowd-pleasing, with a moving portrait of perseverance that resists the usual sports-movie formula. She especially praises Sydney Sweeney’s committed, nuanced performance and the strong supporting cast.

Mottram calls the film a sports movie with a sting and praises Sydney Sweeney’s powerhouse performance. He also singles out the dark turn in Christy’s relationship with her controlling husband.

The review is positive, calling Sydney Sweeney a knockout in the true-life drama. It singles out her performance as the film’s standout.

Willmore finds Christy more compelling than a conventional Oscar-minded sports biopic, though it does not fully explore its broader implications. She singles out Sweeney’s wholehearted portrayal of Christy’s ugliness and defeat as the film’s strongest element.

Daniels presents the film as a broad biopic while calling Sydney Sweeney a knockout. The standfirst identifies its focus as Christy Martin’s tumultuous life and her abusive trainer-husband.

Pettit finds the biopic safe and bland, saying it misses the poignancy and nuance of Christy Martin’s story. She praises Sydney Sweeney’s convincing physical transformation and says the film is at its best during the boxing scenes.

Asch finds the biopic solid but not especially distinctive, with Michôd’s stylistic touches insufficient to elevate it. He praises Sweeney’s energy and swagger in the boxing scenes, while noting that the fights lack atmosphere.

Shaffer finds the film boilerplate and ideologically indecisive, though its domestic-violence drama is more effective than its boxing story. He praises Sydney Sweeney’s gritty, convincing performance and David Michôd’s chilling portrayal of cruelty.

Newland finds the film well-meaning but meandering, with a dour approach that leaves it rudderless. She praises Sydney Sweeney’s dedicated central performance but faults the material and the underuse of Katy O’Brian.

Rooney finds the film watchable but formulaic and ultimately unaffecting. He praises Merritt Wever’s performance as Christy’s judgmental mother, while criticizing the lead character’s limited depth.

Abele finds the film an efficient but slick, under-nuanced melodrama that fails to do justice to Christy Martin’s complex journey. He praises Sydney Sweeney’s physically transformed, emotionally present performance, while criticizing the film’s heavy-handed montage-driven direction.

The critic finds the biopic disappointing and a disservice to Christy Martin. They fault Sydney Sweeney’s performance for failing to capture Martin’s complexity and the film for flattening her story.

Lee finds the biopic cliched and dramatically thin, with Sweeney unable to make Christy Martin feel fully realized outside the ring. He praises Sweeney’s convincing boxing presence but faults the film’s shallow characterization and lingering violence.

Steele finds the biopic bland and clichéd, with Sydney Sweeney’s performance dulled by the script. She praises Ben Foster’s quietly menacing portrayal of Jim and Merritt Wever’s performance as Christy’s mother.

Kermode finds the film compelling and true to its characters despite familiar themes and occasional heavy-handedness. She especially praises Sydney Sweeney’s performance and Merritt Wever’s chilling portrayal of Christy’s mother.

The review is positive overall, though it says some creative choices do not land. It praises Sydney Sweeney’s committed, varied performance, while criticizing the lurid presentation of some abuse scenes.

The review finds the film a formulaic sports biopic, despite its moving true story. It praises Sydney Sweeney’s commanding performance, especially her portrayal of Christy Martin’s pain and loneliness.

Vorel finds the film dour, overlong, and unconvincing as an inspirational sports biopic. He praises Katy O’Brian’s physicality and intensity, while criticizing the screenplay for keeping Christy’s inner life at a distance.

Hammond finds the biopic overlong and familiar, though Christy Martin’s story remains compelling enough to merit an audience. He praises Sydney Sweeney’s committed performance, which he says demonstrates her acting ability.

The critic finds the film stiffly conventional and ultimately a letdown, despite its moving subject. Sydney Sweeney’s nuanced, forceful performance is singled out as its standout strength.