Sydney Sweeney continues to ascend in Hollywood, evolving from her breakout in Euphoria to leading box-office hits like Anyone But You. Now, the 27-year-old actress takes on her most transformative role yet in David Michôd’s upcoming sports biopic Christy — a raw, gripping portrayal of real-life boxer Christy Martin, one of the most groundbreaking figures in women’s boxing history.

Sweeney’s preparation for the role was nothing short of extreme. Over a period of two to three months, she immersed herself in the mental and physical discipline of boxing, training daily and gaining 35 pounds to authentically capture Martin’s strength and endurance. Yet, the actress admits that the most nerve-wracking part wasn’t the physical strain — it was meeting Christy Martin herself. “I just wanted her to approve of how I was portraying her,” Sweeney shared.

Inside the Making of Christy

Christy features a stellar ensemble cast, including Chad L. Coleman, Ben Foster, Katy O’Brian, Merritt Wever, and Ethan Embry. Sweeney highlighted her on-screen chemistry with Foster, calling him one of her most “amazing scene partners.” She described their shared acting process as organic and exploratory: “Neither of us likes to rehearse too much — we like to find the truth in the moment.”

The film’s most harrowing sequence — depicting the violent attack by Christy’s husband and trainer, Jim — was filmed during the very first week of production. Director David Michôd chose to approach the scene with restraint, opting not to show the attack directly but rather to let the horror unfold through sound and implication. This creative choice was designed to reflect how domestic violence often occurs behind closed doors, amplifying the emotional weight of Christy’s recovery that follows.

Sweeney’s performance in these scenes captures both trauma and resilience. As Christy, bloodied yet unbroken, she embodies a woman fighting — literally and figuratively — to reclaim her life. The film, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, is slated for theatrical release on November 7.

Next Steps: Kim Novak and Beyond

Following Christy, Sweeney is set to portray another real-life icon — Hollywood legend Kim Novak — in Scandalous!, the directorial debut of Colman Domingo. The actress expressed deep admiration for Novak, noting parallels between the classic star’s experiences and her own journey navigating modern fame. “There’s something about her quiet strength that really resonates with me,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney is also attached to Paul Feig’s forthcoming thriller The Housemaid, based on the bestselling novel of the same name. As a self-professed fan of the book, she said the project represents another exciting opportunity to explore complex, morally ambiguous female characters.

Looking Back and Forward

Amid her expanding filmography, Sweeney remains connected to her television roots. She recently confirmed she has just two days left of filming for Euphoria Season 3, teasing uncertainty about where Cassie’s journey will lead. “I’ll never really say goodbye to Cassie,” she reflected.

From her early days as a child actor to her current position as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents, Sweeney attributes her success to perseverance and passion. “Stay focused on your dream,” she advises aspiring performers. “People will try to define your path, but you’re the only one who can decide what’s next.”