Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Christy’ Biopic Bombs at Box Office, Sparking Ruby Rose Backlash

The new Christy Martin biopic, ‘Christy,’ delivered a stunning box office upset. The film earned just $1.3 million during its opening weekend. It was shown in over 2,000 theaters across the United States.

The performance marks one of the worst wide-release debuts for a biopic. The film’s failure ignited a public feud with actor Ruby Rose. Rose criticized star Sydney Sweeney’s casting and performance.

Historic Box Office Failure for a Wide Release

‘Christy’ opened on November 7, 2025. It ranked a dismal No. 12 for worst openings in box office history. For non-released films, it sits at No. 9.

This data comes from industry analysts at Collider and Complex. The film’s $15 million production budget makes the loss significant. Recouping costs now appears nearly impossible for distributor Black Bear Pictures.

The flop highlights a deepening crisis for indie films. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the specialty market is struggling. Even festival favorites are failing to find audiences.

Ruby Rose’s Public Condemnation of the Casting

Ruby Rose did not hold back her opinions. She posted a sharp critique on Threads. Rose was once attached to play the boxing champion herself.

“The original Christy Martin script was incredible. Life changing. Most of us were actually gay,” Rose wrote. She accused Sweeney of lacking authenticity and ruining the film.

Sweeney responded by focusing on the film’s message. She said the project aimed to raise awareness for domestic violence survivors. She expressed pride in the film’s potential impact.

Mixed Critical Reception and Martin’s Own Approval

Critics were divided on the final product. The film holds a 65% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is a near-perfect 97%, though from a small sample size.

Christy Martin herself praised Sweeney’s work. She spoke at the Toronto Film Festival. Martin said Sweeney perfectly captured her toughness and duality.

This endorsement contrasts sharply with Rose’s public anger. It shows the complex debate around biographical storytelling. The question of authentic casting remains central.

The Broader Indie Film Distribution Crisis

‘Christy’s’ failure is a symptom of a larger issue. The indie film market is undergoing a major shift. Streaming services are buying fewer third-party films.

This leaves mid-budget projects in a dangerous position. New distributors like Black Bear’s theatrical arm face steep challenges. The safety net for specialty releases has vanished.

Smaller distributors are now adapting. They target niche markets with focused campaigns. They use social media to find specific audiences.

The ‘Christy’ biopic’s box office crash reveals more than just financial troubles. It has ignited a fierce debate about authenticity in Hollywood storytelling. The film’s legacy will be defined by the conversations it started, not the tickets it sold.

Thought you’d like to know

How much did the Christy biopic make opening weekend?

The film earned $1.3 million in its domestic opening. It was released in over 2,000 theaters. This is considered a historic box office failure.

What did Ruby Rose say about Sydney Sweeney?

Rose accused Sweeney of “parading around pretending to be us.” She said Sweeney ruined the film. She claimed the original script was “life changing.”

What is the Rotten Tomatoes score for Christy?

The critic score is 65% on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience score is much higher at 97%. This is based on a limited number of user ratings.

Did Christy Martin approve of Sydney Sweeney’s portrayal?

Yes, Christy Martin publicly praised the performance. She said Sweeney captured her tough, rugged side. She endorsed the film at the Toronto Film Festival.

Why is the indie film market struggling?

Streaming platforms are buying fewer independent films. This has created a distribution crisis. Mid-budget projects now have a very narrow path to success.