Sydney Sweeney is brushing off Christy’s grim box office debut — the biographical drama in which she portrays boxer Christy Martin. The R-rated film opened to just $1.3 million, ranking among the worst starts ever for a movie released in more than 2,000 North American theaters.
After becoming entangled in a series of controversies — including being linked to former president Donald Trump, as well as to Nazi, racist, supremacist, and Zionist groups — and choosing to remain silent, Sweeney has only fueled speculation that she aligns with those beliefs. Given that, the box office failure was hardly a surprise.
“I am so deeply proud of this movie. Proud of the film David made. Proud of the story we told. Proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin. This experience has been one of the greatest honors of my life. This film stands for survival, courage, and hope. Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. 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 who will continue to believe — in this story for years to come. If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded. So yes, I’m proud. Why? Because we don’t always make art for numbers — we make it for impact. And Christy has been the most impactful project of my life. Thank you, Christy. I love you,” Sweeney wrote in a lengthy social media post.
The film’s failure can be largely attributed to Sweeney’s damaged public image. Her controversies have piled up — each worse than the last — and her decision to stay silent hasn’t helped. It’s nearly impossible to sell a film about domestic violence, feminism, and LGBTQIA+ themes to a largely conservative and Republican audience.
Christy also marked the first theatrical release from Black Bear Pictures, which produced the film for $15 million. The indie company has sold distribution rights in several international territories, which will help mitigate box office losses. Still, Christy joins a growing list of festival darlings that failed to connect with audiences — including Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson’s Die My Love, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, and The Smashing Machine.