Sydney Sweeney’s latest venture, the boxing biopic “Christy,” has been met with harsh criticism, with reviewers dismissing it as “cliched,” despite her commitment to gaining 30 pounds for the role of the world champion.

The 28-year-old actress, known for her role in “Euphoria,” takes on the portrayal of Christy Martin, a pioneering world champion boxer who faced battles both in and out of the ring.

In preparation for the role, Sweeney reportedly gained about 30 pounds and engaged in a rigorous training schedule, working out three times daily over three months with the help of boxing coaches, nutritionists, and trainers.

Nevertheless, the BBC’s culture critic noted that Sweeney’s real-life persona overshadowed the film, awarding it just two stars, despite earlier Oscar buzz surrounding her performance.

The critic remarked, “It is hard to separate her star power from the narrative in the cliché-filled biopic ‘Christy,’ as our awareness of her off-screen life diverts attention from the story itself.”

‘A contradiction at the heart of Christy is that Sweeney is the main reason anyone is paying attention to the project, but her own high-profile celebrity makes it difficult to believe her as the character. Can she ever escape the real-life chatter around her?’

Sydney Sweeney’s boxing biopic Christy has been trashed by critics who have branded it ‘cliched’ in a series of savage reviews – after the actress gained 30lbs to play world champion

The 28-year-old Euphoria star tackles the story of Christy Martin, a trailblazing world champion who fought her way through chaos both inside and outside the ring

Sydney has been at the centre of controversy this year after starring in a viral American Eagle ad just as it was revealed she was registered as a Republican voter in Florida – sparking fears she could be shunned by woke Hollywood.

It came after she had posted snaps of her mother’s birthday party guests wearing MAGA-inspired hats.

Meanwhile she has also recently hit headlines for dating manager Scooter Braun – Taylor Swift’s nemesis.

The Telegraph also gave it a two star review, writing: ‘Sydney’s muscular makeover isn’t enough to save this boxing biopic.

‘The Euphoria star’s performance ticks all the boxes but Christy’s all-too-predictable plot lets her down.’

It went on to praise the leading actress, saying she ‘does her best’ with the material and that she was ‘certainly credible’. 

The Guardian followed the trend of disappointing two-star reviews also branding it ‘cliched’. 

They savaged her performance, writing: ‘Christy just isn’t nearly good enough, a by-the-numbers slog that fails to prove Sweeney’s status as a one to watch.

‘She’s a convincing force to be reckoned with inside of the ring, her training clearly having paid off as she confidently glides from fight to fight, but she can’t get us to believe in all that much outside of it, an actor still trying too visibly hard to make it all seem effortless.’

The BBC’s culture critic said that the star’s off-screen image distracted from the film itself as it gave just two stars, despite her being touted for an Oscar for the role earlier this year

The Telegraph also gave it a two star review, writing: ‘Sydney’s muscular makeover isn’t enough to save this boxing biopic…’

To prepare, Sweeney said she gained roughly 30 pounds and underwent an intense training regimen, hitting the gym three times a day for three months with boxing coaches, nutritionists, and weight trainers by her side (seen left before and right after) 

The Times was more positive with its review, awarding it four stars and calling it ‘a proper movie’. 

They wrote: ‘Sydney Sweeney lives up to the promise of recent gutsy roles to unleash a career-best turn as the professional boxer and domestic abuse survivor Christy Martin.

‘Sweeney is also surrounded by a plethora of ace character actors, especially Merritt Wever as Christy’s sanctimonious mother Joyce, who compound the sense of a lead protagonist trapped within a hopeless, claustrophobic milieu. It’s a proper movie.’

Sydney didn’t hold back to step into the gloves of boxing legend Christy – with her transformation including plenty of Chick-fil-A.

After the world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Sweeney was moved to tears by the standing ovation she received, reflecting on the extreme physical demands of portraying ‘the greatest boxer in the entire world.’

To prepare, Sweeney said she gained roughly 30 pounds and underwent an intense training regimen.

Onstage next to Martin, 57, Sweeney revealed just what her diet looked like: ‘A lot of Chick-fil-A, a lot, a lot of Smucker’s, a lot of milkshakes, a lot of protein shakes.’

She added: ‘But it was incredible being able to completely embody such a powerful woman. I felt even stronger. It was truly inspiring.’

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com over the summer, Martin heaped praise on the actress for fully immersing herself in the role. 

Speaking a few months before they joined the streets together for the 2025 International Boxing Hall of Fame Parade in Canastota, New York, Martin described Sweeney as a ‘perfectionist.’

‘She was really serious about her boxing,’ Christy gushed. ‘And with depicting the domestic violence she wanted to make sure everything was right.’

Sydney has been at the centre of controversy this year after starring in a viral American Eagle ad just as it was revealed she was registered as a Republican voter in Florida 

Sweeney recently became the center of a social media storm after starring in a viral American Eagle ad. 

The campaign, which played on the phrase ‘good genes’ featuring a blonde, blue-eyed star, sparked comparisons to Nazi propaganda and ignited accusations of racism and eugenics when it launched in July.

But fans quickly came to Sweeney’s defense, calling the outrage ‘unhinged’ and insisting critics were ‘reading too much into this.’

Ahead of the Christy premiere in Toronto, the actress made it clear she would not address the ad publicly.

‘I am there to support my movie and the people involved in making it, and I’m not there to talk about jeans. The movie’s about Christy, and that’s what I’ll be there to talk about,’ she told Vanity Fair.

Meanwhile, Sweeney’s personal life has been keeping the rumor mill busy, with reports linking her to manager Scooter Braun. 

The pair reportedly spent Labor Day weekend together in Lake Tahoe amid their ‘casual’ romance. 

According to People, the Euphoria star and the ‘very attentive’ 44-year-old record executive enjoyed the lakeside getaway as they ‘continue to get to know one another.’

Braun – 17 years her senior – is ‘loving spending time with her and seeing where things go,’ a source told the publication. 

He was described as ‘confident’ and ‘a charmer,’ while also being ‘sweet and very attentive.’

However, Sweeney – who called off her engagement with ex-fiancé Jonathan Davino, 42, in March – is reportedly ‘not looking to get wrapped up in another relationship’ for now.

‘Her goals for this year are all about her career,’ the insider added, calling her ‘ambitious and very focused.’

A source close to the actress recently told Daily Mail that she and Braun ‘are not exclusive’ and won’t be anytime soon. 

‘Now that this is out, it is not going to help Scooter gain any points with her because she considers herself single and Scooter is not her boyfriend,’ the source added.

Braun was previously married to Yael Cohen for seven years, with whom he shares three children – Jagger, nine; Levi, seven; and Hart, five – and finalized their divorce in September 2022. 

It has also been revealed that the blonde beauty is a registered member of the Republican Party, which sparked a hugely divisive response online

Sydney defended herself from accusations she was right-wing in 2022, after she posted snaps of her mother’s birthday party guests wearing MAGA-inspired hats

Last year, he was also linked to actress Rachelle Goulding.

Sydney and Scooter were spotted strolling in Venice together in June at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’ wedding.

Sweeney also appeared alongside other eligible bachelors, Orlando Bloom and Tom Brady, both of whom are reportedly single.

Sydney’s split from film producer fiancé Jonathan earlier this year ended a relationship that began in 2018 and quietly led to engagement in 2022, though the couple mostly kept their romance out of the public eye.

Last month it was also revealed that Sydney was a member of the Republican Party of Florida, according to public voter records viewed by the Daily Mail. She registered in Monroe County, Florida in June 2024.

Buzzfeed was first to report the news not long after one social media user on X uploaded a now-viral post. 

They wrote, ‘was about to make a whole YouTube video exploring sydney sweeney’s choices not defending her but going through her career context and i just found out this lady is an actual registered member of the republican party as of 2024.’ 

Sydney skirted around the issue of politics in 2022, after she posted snaps of her mother’s birthday party guests wearing MAGA-inspired hats.

She told GQ: ‘Honestly I feel like nothing I say can help the conversation. It’s been turning into a wildfire and nothing I can say will take it back to the correct track.’