Fans are buzzing about Sydney Sweeney’s impressive ‘transformation’ for her upcoming boxing biopic set to hit theaters this fall.
In 2025, the 28-year-old actress, best known for her role in Euphoria, is making waves in the film industry with Echo Valley premiering on Apple TV+ earlier this year and The Housemaid also expected later this year.
However, all eyes are on her role as the renowned boxer Christy Martin in the sports biopic set to debut on November 7.
The film explores the ascent of the Coal Miner’s Daughter and highlights the domestic violence she endured by her former husband, James V. Martin, who was 25 years her elder.
Sweeney took on the challenge of gaining 30 pounds for her role in Christy, joining a cast that includes Ben Foster, Katy O’Brian from Love Lies Bleeding, and Chad L. Coleman from The Wire.
In an interview at the Toronto Film Festival, she explained, “I’d wrap after a 12-hour shoot and then I’d go train for another two hours.”
The boxing sequences were particularly intense, with Sweeney admitting she was ‘pummeled’ on set, as she shared with Variety: “They were holding ice packs to my face in between takes. I was getting knocked up. I had some gnarly bruises after that.”
The official Christy trailer has left fans in awe of Sweeney’s dedication to physically embodying the role.
One YouTube commenter noted, “Love it when an actor goes against type and really tries something different. The Rock and Sydney really flexing those acting chops.”
Another added, “Sydney went through a physical transformation and is taking a big swing for the fences on this one.. Respect..”
“I always appreciate gorgeous actresses who put in the effort. they could coast if they wanted, but they choose to do the work,” praised another viewer.
One more viewer remarked, while initially not ‘expecting’ much from Sweeney in this role, they appreciated her ‘expanding her roles’.
Another comment read: “I’m amazed at the commitment Sydney had to make for her role in Christy. Just one more talent to add to the list.”
Director David Michôd of Christy found casting Sweeney to be an obvious choice.
“I knew that she was already a fighter,” he commented. “I saw her in that HBO film Reality from a few years ago. So I knew she had acting chops, and I was excited by the prospect of taking those acting chops to a bigger audience.”
To prepare for the role, Sweeney worked with a nutritionist to increase her calorie intake. She shared with Variety, “I started taking a lot of protein shakes and supplements and eating everything. I ate a lot of Smuckers, a lot of PB and J sandwiches, milkshakes, kind of just constantly always eating because we were so active.”
She added, “I was constantly burning it all off at the same time. So keeping it all up was quite a challenge.”
The film Christy is slated for a cinema release on November 7.