Actress Ruby Rose has publicly condemned Sydney Sweeney, labeling her a “cretin” and holding her responsible for the commercial failure of the film “Christy.” The criticism emerged after Sweeney defended the biopic’s lackluster box office performance.
In a series of posts on Threads early Tuesday, Ruby Rose unleashed a torrent of criticism aimed at Sydney Sweeney and her role in “Christy,” the biographical film about boxer Christy Martin. Rose disclosed that she had previously been attached to play Cherry, a character based on Martin’s girlfriend Sherry Lusk, and described the original script as “incredible” and “life-changing.” She expressed that losing the role was part of the industry, but took exception to how Sweeney’s team handled the film’s financial disappointment.
Rose’s comments were particularly pointed, as she wrote, “You’re a cretin and you ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better.” She also targeted Sweeney’s public relations efforts, which had emphasized that the actress took on the role for “the people.” Rose countered this by suggesting that Sweeney, who is a registered Republican and has faced controversy over her political views, does not genuinely represent the LGBTQ+ community that the film portrays.
The film “Christy,” released on November 7, 2025, earned only $1.3 million in its opening weekend across more than 2,000 theaters, making it one of the worst wide releases in recent memory. Despite this, the movie had garnered positive reviews at film festivals and holds a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a disconnect between critical acclaim and commercial success.
In response, Sydney Sweeney took to Instagram to defend her involvement in the project. She stated that she was “deeply proud” of the film and its message, highlighting that it was made to raise awareness about domestic violence and inspire hope. Sweeney emphasized that the film’s value lies in its potential to save lives, not in its box office numbers, writing, “if Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded.”
The feud is set against a backdrop of previous controversies involving Sweeney, including an American Eagle ad campaign that was criticized for its perceived references to eugenics and white supremacy. The ad received support from former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, which Sweeney described as “surreal” in a recent GQ interview. These events have contributed to a polarized public perception of the actress.
This public disagreement underscores broader issues in Hollywood regarding representation, audience reception, and the pressures of box office performance. While Rose’s outburst reflects personal and professional frustrations, Sweeney’s defense aligns with a commitment to artistic integrity and social impact. The incident may influence future collaborations and public discourse on casting choices, as the industry continues to navigate the balance between commercial viability and meaningful storytelling.
