In a demanding new role, actor Sydney Sweeney underwent a significant physical transformation to portray a pioneering female boxer in a recently released biographical film. The project required her to step into the ring for intensely realistic fight sequences, a process she describes as both challenging and exhilarating.
To authentically capture the boxer’s physique, Sweeney gained a considerable amount of weight, a journey she shared with a co-star who also altered his appearance for his role. The actor recounted a humorous on-set moment involving the physical changes, highlighting the dedicated approach the cast took toward their roles.
While the physicality of the part has drawn much attention, the film’s core is a serious exploration of a complex and abusive relationship. The narrative follows the boxer’s rise to fame in the 1990s, a period during which she helped bring women’s boxing into the mainstream, while simultaneously navigating a controlling and manipulative partnership with her husband and manager.
The director of the film became involved with the project after discovering the boxer’s life rights were available. Initially unfamiliar with her story, he was quickly drawn in by its compelling nature, noting the contrast between her fierce public persona and her vulnerable, gentle off-screen character. Winning the trust of the real-life figure, who was initially wary of a Hollywood adaptation, was a crucial first step.
Casting the lead role came with specific requirements, including finding an actor of a certain age, physicality, and social prominence who also possessed a deep hunger for the part. The director stated he sensed this immediate, intense commitment during their first meeting.
For her part, the lead actor expressed a profound connection to the character, relating to her struggles both inside and outside the ring. She described the experience of playing the role as a period where she felt the “strongest, full-of-life version” of herself, though she noted the mental and physical challenge of shedding the weight after filming concluded.
The film navigates a tonal shift, beginning as an uplifting sports story before delving into darker, more disturbing territory as the abusive relationship intensifies. The actor playing the manipulative husband explained his approach to the role, focusing on the character’s deep-seated insecurity and fragility as the root of his controlling behavior. He admitted to finding it difficult to shake off the character’s toxicity at the end of each filming day.
In contrast, the lead actor stated she can easily separate herself from heavy material once the cameras stop rolling. When asked about awards speculation, she deflected, emphasizing that her primary goal was to honor the real-life figure and ensure her story was told truthfully.
