“Batgirl” and “Orange Is the New Black” actor Ruby Rose has accused Sidney Sweeney of being a “cretin” in a thread after Sweeney’s biopic of wrestler Christie Martin, “Christie,” was a disappointing debut, making just $1.3 million at the box office. The drama was released in over 2,000 theaters in North America and cost $15 million to make.
“The original Christy Martin script was amazing. It changed my life,” Rose wrote in the thread. “I was obsessed with playing Cherry. Everyone was experiencing the core material. Most of us were actually gay. That’s part of the reason I continued acting. Losing a role happens all the time.”
“For her publicist to say it was a failure and that the SS did it for ‘the people’. ‘The people’ don’t want to see people who hate them walking around pretending to be us,” Rose added of Sweeney. “You’re a cretin and you ruined the movie. I get it. Christie deserved more recognition.”
Rose appears to have accused Sweeney of alleged ties to the Republican Party, but Sweeney has not fully confirmed or denied the allegations. Various news outlets, including The Guardian, reported over the summer that Mr. Sweeney listed his party affiliation as Republican when registering to vote in Florida in June 2024, months before Mr. Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the presidential election. President Trump praised the reporting on Sweeney.
Variety has reached out to Black Bear, the producer and distributor of “Christie,” as well as Sweeney’s representatives, for comment. Rose’s agent has also been wiretapped.
A source familiar with the project told Variety that Black Bear was never attached to The Christie, which Rose was involved with, so the actor’s possible involvement in the film happened before Black Bear was involved in its development. Another source told Variety that Rose was eyed for the role of Christie’s high school girlfriend in a version of the film before Black Bear was involved.
The Sweeney’s “Christie” is directed by David Michaud and co-stars Ben Foster. The film depicts boxer Christy Martin’s rise to fame in the ring and the abuse she endures at the hands of her husband-turned-coach. In a review for Variety magazine, chief film critic Owen Gleiberman praised Sweeney’s performance and called the film “a harrowing depiction of the reach of abuse, disempowerment, gaslighting, and domestic violence.”
After the film’s disappointing start at the box office, Sweeney released a statement on his Instagram profile, writing, “We don’t always make art for the numbers, we make it for the impact, and Christie is the most impactful project of my life.”
“This film represents survival, courage and hope. Through our campaign, we have helped raise awareness for the many people affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film believing that Christie’s story can save lives,” Sweeney added. “Thank you to everyone who saw, felt and believed this story, and to everyone who will continue to believe for years to come. If Christie inspires even one woman to take that first step to safety, we will have succeeded.”
“Christie” continues to be shown in theaters nationwide by Black Bear.
