It is very rare these days to see a TIFF crowd lap up a movie quite like this. I Play Rocky had the audience applauding throughout, with several moments getting the kind of immediate reaction that reminds you why movies like this are made for a theatrical crowd. It is a genuine crowd-pleaser in every sense of the word — funny, inspiring, accessible and packed with enough Hollywood nostalgia to win over both casual audiences and film fans.
The film follows the unlikely journey behind the making of Rocky, and while the story is familiar for most of us, it embraces its predictable, feel-good underdog formula with confidence. There are several hilarious moments, plenty of sharp dialogue and a number of industry references that should especially appeal to anyone familiar with Hollywood history. More importantly, it understands exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. This is the ultimate Hollywood fairytale, and Peter Farrelly ensures that the story still feels relevant nearly 50 years later.
The biggest strength of I Play Rocky, however, is Anthony Ippolito. He completely transforms into Sylvester Stallone to a point where I genuinely did not see Ippolito for a single moment. All I saw was Stallone. The mannerisms, voice, physicality and overall presence are so convincing that it becomes remarkably easy to forget you are watching an actor recreating one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures. Ippolito makes the character completely believable without turning the performance into an exaggerated impersonation, which is a very difficult line to walk.
The supporting ensemble works really well together too, with Tracy Letts and PJ Byrne standing out in particular. Their performances add plenty of personality and humor without taking attention away from Ippolito. The movie is also well paced, benefits from a decent runtime and rarely feels like it is dragging its feet to reach the inevitable finish line. Farrelly’s vision is clear and confident, and he directs with certainty, keeping the film moving while allowing the cast and dialogue to do most of the heavy lifting.
Of course, I Play Rocky is not reinventing the wheel in any way in terms of being a biopic or an underdog movie. In fact, it leans heavily into a lot of the genre’s most familiar and formulaic tropes. You know the setbacks are coming, and you know the obstacles will eventually be overcome. But being formulaic doesn’t always mean that it’s a major weakness. Powerful moments are sprinkled throughout, and the film is particularly effective whenever it focuses on Stallone’s personal battles.
It is also very self-aware without becoming cynical about the story it is telling. That balance makes it highly commercial and accessible to today’s audience, while the Hollywood setting gives it enough personality to separate it from a standard underdog movie.
The issues start with the lack of character depth. This is a film that doesn’t dig particularly deep beneath the surface. There are plenty of opportunities to explore the personal sacrifices, insecurities and consequences behind the making of Rocky, but I Play Rocky generally chooses the crowd-pleasing route instead. It doesn’t take any particularly big swings, and while that makes it an easy and enjoyable watch, it also limits its impact.
The movie could have used a few more genuine emotional punches, particularly towards the finale. The ending works, but it could have been considerably more impactful given the extraordinary nature of the story the film has built towards. Still, those shortcomings are unlikely to matter much to its intended audience.
I Play Rocky celebrates Hollywood’s ultimate fairytale and gives it the kind of big-screen energy and nostalgia that is becoming increasingly rare. It may be safe and formulaic, but the execution is so confident and the crowd response so infectious that it is difficult not to get swept up in it. Anthony Ippolito’s transformation into Sylvester Stallone is the real knockout, while Farrelly delivers a polished crowd-pleaser that feels tailor-made for TIFF audiences. This will almost certainly be up there for the People’s Choice Award, given its accessibility and commercial appeal. It also has genuine potential to become an awards-season contender.
I Play Rocky premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival 2026.
