Sydney Sweeney’s latest film, Christy, opened to one of the weakest wide-release debuts in recent box office history, but the actress says she remains “deeply proud” of the project and its message.
The biopic, which chronicles the life of trailblazing boxer Christy Martin, earned just $1.3 million in its first weekend after premiering on November 7, according to Box Office Mojo. The film ranks No. 12 among the worst openings for movies released in more than 2,000 theaters, and No. 9 when excluding rereleases, a disappointing outcome for Sweeney, who both stars in and produced the film.
Still, Sweeney took to Instagram to emphasize that Christy was made for impact, not numbers.
"I am so deeply proud of this movie," Sweeney captioned a set of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. "Proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin."
The film traces Martin’s rise through the male-dominated world of boxing, while confronting the domestic abuse she endured at the hands of her trainer and husband, James Martin. In 2010, Christy Martin was stabbed, shot, and left for dead by her husband of 19 years. He was later convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The actress highlighted the film’s mission to shed light on domestic violence, saying that everyone involved joined the project with a shared purpose: “We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.”
"Thank you to everyone who saw, felt, and believed and will believe in this story for years to come," Sweeney said. "if christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded. we don't always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact. and christy has been the most impactful project of my life."
The film traces Christy Martin’s journey from overcoming sexism and abuse to becoming a world boxing champion. She made history as the first woman signed by promoter Don King and the first female boxer to appear on Sports Illustrated’s cover. Martin later held the WBC super welterweight title and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.
Christy follows Sweeney’s box office hit Anyone But You, and her breakout role in Euphoria, but also trails critical misfires like Americana and controversy over an American Eagle ad accused of echoing racist undertones. As producer on the biopic, Sweeney called the backlash “a surprise,” describing it as “surreal” to see top US leaders comment on it. She added that she largely avoided the online uproar while filming Euphoria.
The biopic, which chronicles the life of trailblazing boxer Christy Martin, earned just $1.3 million in its first weekend after premiering on November 7, according to Box Office Mojo. The film ranks No. 12 among the worst openings for movies released in more than 2,000 theaters, and No. 9 when excluding rereleases, a disappointing outcome for Sweeney, who both stars in and produced the film.
Still, Sweeney took to Instagram to emphasize that Christy was made for impact, not numbers.
"I am so deeply proud of this movie," Sweeney captioned a set of behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. "Proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin."
The film traces Martin’s rise through the male-dominated world of boxing, while confronting the domestic abuse she endured at the hands of her trainer and husband, James Martin. In 2010, Christy Martin was stabbed, shot, and left for dead by her husband of 19 years. He was later convicted of attempted second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
The actress highlighted the film’s mission to shed light on domestic violence, saying that everyone involved joined the project with a shared purpose: “We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.”
"Thank you to everyone who saw, felt, and believed and will believe in this story for years to come," Sweeney said. "if christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded. we don't always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact. and christy has been the most impactful project of my life."
The film traces Christy Martin’s journey from overcoming sexism and abuse to becoming a world boxing champion. She made history as the first woman signed by promoter Don King and the first female boxer to appear on Sports Illustrated’s cover. Martin later held the WBC super welterweight title and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020.
Christy follows Sweeney’s box office hit Anyone But You, and her breakout role in Euphoria, but also trails critical misfires like Americana and controversy over an American Eagle ad accused of echoing racist undertones. As producer on the biopic, Sweeney called the backlash “a surprise,” describing it as “surreal” to see top US leaders comment on it. She added that she largely avoided the online uproar while filming Euphoria.
