Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney) never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia. But then she discovers a killer left hook and knack for knocking detractors out that just might be her tickets out of there. Fuelled by grit, raw determination, brash charisma, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim (Ben Foster).
But while Christy flaunts a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles unfold outside it — confronting family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death. Based on remarkable true events, Christy Martin’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the fight to reclaim one’s life. Working from a script cowritten with Mirrah Foulkes (Judy & Punch, VIFF 2019), David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) delivers a bruising biopic about this pioneer pugilist and indomitable warrior.
David Michôd
Sydney Sweeney, Ben Foster, Merritt Wever, Katy O’brian
USA
2025
English
At Vancouver Playhouse
At The Rio
Book Tickets
Credits
Executive Producer
Michael Heimler, John Friedberg, Andrew Golov, Clementine Quittner, Harrison Huffman, Mirrah Foulkes, Brad Zimmerman, David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, Nick Shumaker
Producer
Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Teddy Schwarzman, Brent Stiefel, Justin Lothrop, David Michôd, Sydney Sweeney
Screenwriter
Mirrah Foulkes, David Michôd
Cinematography
Germain McMicking
Editor
Matt Villa
Production Design
Chad Keith
Original Music
Antony Partos
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
How Dare You?
A bug-loving boy, a passionate classmate, and a troublemaker launch playful eco-protests against their town’s careless habits. As their missions escalate, they face real consequences in Director O’s witty, bittersweet Grand Jury Prize winner from the Toronto Japanese Film Festival.
A Sad and Beautiful World
This Lebanese love story chronicles the romance between a level-headed businesswoman and a romantic restauranteur across several decades in wartorn Beirut. It's funny, charming, melancholy and you'll feel it all.
One Last Love Letter
In 2024, Nazuna writes to the young man she secretly loved as a teenager. Her letter reaches his grieving father, revealing memories of Shinsuke, an aspiring boxer killed in the 2000 Naka-Meguro train disaster, and opening a tender exchange.
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
Samurai Vengeance
In Edo-era Japan, a young kabuki actor’s celebrated revenge becomes legend. When a provincial samurai investigates the truth behind the vendetta, conflicting testimonies expose hidden motives and buried secrets in this atmospheric jidaigeki mystery about rumor, performance, and myth.