Sydney Sweeney is taking the lackluster box office performance of Christy in stride. The film, where she portrays the pioneering boxer Christy Martin, opened to just $1.3 million. This marks one of the most disappointing starts for a film in over 2,000 theaters.
Despite the numbers, Sweeney remains optimistic. On Instagram, she stated, “We don’t always make art for numbers; we make it for impact. Christy has been the most impactful project of my life.”
The movie, co-starring Ben Foster and Merritt Wever, tells the inspiring story of Martin’s rise from a coal miner’s daughter to a prominent boxer in the ’90s. It also tackles serious themes, including domestic violence, showcasing Martin’s struggles with her abusive coach-turned-husband. Critics have mixed opinions, with some praising Sweeney’s powerful performance that spans over two decades of Martin’s life.
In a review for The Guardian, Benjamin Lee described the film as “a by-the-numbers slog” but noted Sweeney’s performance as deserving of awards recognition. Despite the critiques, Sweeney emphasized the film’s message on domestic violence. She expressed hope that the film could inspire women to seek safety. “If Christy helps even one woman take that first step, then we have succeeded,” she wrote.
Christy is also noteworthy as the first theatrical release from Black Bear, an indie company that produced the film for $15 million. This year has been tough for Sweeney. Other films like Eden and Americana also struggled at the box office.
Adult dramas have faced challenges recently. Films like Die, My Love and the Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere received praise at film festivals but disappointed audiences when released in theaters.
Interestingly, the trend aligns with recent statistics: a survey from the National Association of Theatre Owners indicated that only 17% of adult audiences felt motivated to watch dramatic films in theaters, preferring streaming options instead.
Sweeney, who found box office success with the romantic comedy Anyone But You, will next be seen in The Housemaid, a psychological thriller set to premiere on December 19.
In a landscape where storytelling often battles against commercial viability, Sweeney’s dedication to impactful narratives is refreshing, reminding audiences that cinema can be more than just numbers at the box office.
