“Future Oscar winner”: Fans react to first look at Sydney Sweeney as legendary boxer Christy Martin

Movie fans have been heralding Sydney Sweeney following the first image of her as Christy Martin in the biopic Christy.

• READ MORE: ‘Echo Valley’ review: even Sydney Sweeney and Julianne Moore can’t save this hollow thriller

It tells the story of the real-life boxer, who came to prominence as one of the most successful female athletes of the ‘90s and ‘00s. It also portrays her attempted murder at the hands of her then-husband, James Martin, who stabbed her multiple times and shot her in 2010. He was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2012.

Sweeney recently revealed she gained 30 pounds for the film, which is due to have its premiere at the forthcoming Toronto Film Festival in September. Following the release of the first image from the movie, fans got excited about seeing a new side to the Euphoria star.

“I see the future Oscar winner” said one person on X (formerly Twitter), while another added: “World about to find out Sydney Sweeney actually got those acting chops”.

i see the future Oscar winner https://t.co/dg0FsKLM9Q

— deadadoodee (@Babara1104) July 21, 2025

The Christy Martin story is about to send a whole new generation into depression. World about to find out Sydney Sweeney actually got those acting chops though. https://t.co/mLZssUZxxJ

— Tyler (@theDFSturtle) July 21, 2025

One fan compared the role to Robert Pattinson, who starred in numerous independent dramas following his rise to fame through the Twilight films. “She’s going that Rob Pattinson pretty-to-pro route” they wrote, with another celebrating the actor’s versatility: “I respect the hell out Sydney because I never know what she’s gonna turn up in, and seems to have a genuine passion for the business/medium”.

she’s going that rob pattinson pretty-to-pro route https://t.co/KEZ8k3m8xZ

— jay (@kenobiwanakin) July 22, 2025

I respect the hell out Sydney because I never know what she's gonna turn up in, and seems to have a genuine passion for the business/medium https://t.co/L3w7jYy3fO

— Gh0stlyHydra (@Lt_Hydra) July 21, 2025

Christy co-stars Ben Foster as James Martin, and is yet to announce a release date. The film is directed by David Michôd, the Australian filmmaker who gained notoriety for the 2010 film Animal Kingdom.

Recently, Sweeney revealed she would be open to appearing in a Barbie sequel opposite Margot Robbie, describing herself as a “huge fan” of the star. In May, she made headlines by launching a limited line of soap made from her bathwater, called Sydney’s Bathwater Bliss.

The post “Future Oscar winner”: Fans react to first look at Sydney Sweeney as legendary boxer Christy Martin appeared first on NME.